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The percentage of stroke patients in the younger age group has recently gone up. The factors driving the stroke are changes in food habits like eating junk food, fried items, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, lack of exercise, and underlying co-morbid conditions like Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, and deranged lipid profile, etc
Unhealthy food habits, irregular exercise routines, and a stressful work life are what the majority of young adults nowadays are experiencing. This kind of lifestyle increases the risk of having a stroke. Even if one survives a stroke, other health conditions such as difficulties with speech and mobility or muscle damage may persist. In many cases, a stroke can lead to permanent damage or sudden death. KEM hospitals have been seeing more than 220-240 stroke patients per month, where the majority of their patients are youngsters.
Expressing concern over this situation, Dr. Nitin Dange, Head of Unit Neurosurgery department at KEM hospitals, says, “Owing to changes in lifestyle and food habits, stroke cases are spiking in India. For a couple of years, it has been observed that the number of stroke cases has drastically increased.”
He further said, “The percentage of stroke patients in the younger age group has recently gone up. The factors driving the stroke are changes in food habits like eating junk food, fried items, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, lack of exercise, and underlying co-morbid conditions like Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, and deranged lipid profile, etc.”
Stroke means a brain attack and is the leading cause of disability in the country. It can happen to anyone and anywhere, irrespective of his/her age. India is facing the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and stroke is one of the most common ones.
There is certainly awareness when it comes to other NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, but stroke symptoms are often neglected, and then people find themselves in trouble. It is imperative to go for regular health check-ups and screenings to lower the risk of stroke.
Dr Dange added, “A stroke can lead to permanent disability or even death. Time is precious in diagnosing and treating stroke patients. A study reveals that when someone is experiencing a stroke, almost 32,000 brain cells are destroyed within 60 seconds (i.e., 1.9 million per minute). Hence, time is of utmost importance during a stroke.
That’s why acting F.A.S.T is of the utmost importance. F.A.S.T. is an acronym for detecting early signs of a stroke, where F stands for facial drooping, A stands for arm weakness, S stands for speech difficulties, and T stands for time to call an ambulance. So, if anyone spots any of these signs, please call an ambulance so that the person suffering can be treated within the golden hour time-period and saved from permanent disability. “
“The golden window period,” i.e., within the first few hours (4.5 to max. up to 24 hours) of experiencing stroke symptoms, gives a much greater chance of surviving and avoiding long-term brain damage if they arrive at the hospital and receive timely treatment. Recognizing symptoms on time and early diagnosis can save many lives. Those patients who have suffered from a stroke need to exercise daily, eat a well-balanced diet, keep weight under control, monitor diabetes, take medication, and restrict salt intake, concluded Dr. Dange.
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