Villages in Ludhiana have more stroke cases than the city

LUDHIANA: On the occasion of World Stroke Day on Sunday, a study conducted by CMCH (Christian Medical College and Hospital) doctors on stroke shows Ludhiana Rural has more cases than Ludhiana Urban. In Ludhiana Urban, there were 140 cases a year in a population of one lakh, while in Ludhiana Rural, there were 192 cases a year in a population of one lakh.
Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide.In Ludhiana district, the risk of developing stroke in both young and old people is very high, particularly in the rural parts of Ludhiana. Dr Jeyaraj Pandian, head of the Department of Neurology — a renowned stroke specialist who conducted the study on Ludhiana’s urban population — said: “I started the study/research in 2010 and finished it in 2013.” Another study on Ludhiana’s villages — being carried out by the Department of Neurology and Community Services of CMC — started in 2015, and is still going on. Dr Pandian added: “The study shows that the major cause of stroke is high blood pressure in 75% of cases in the city, and 95% of cases in the villages, which is really huge.”
Cases of stroke are due to many factors, but mainly lifestyle, obesity, and diabetes. Various hospitals in the city have also organized workshops and awareness events on stroke. CMCH organized an Acute Stroke Workshop. Dr Mahesh Kate, associate professor of Neurology at CMCH and the organizing secretary of the workshop, said: “The purpose of this workshop was to empower practising physicians and emergency medical officers to detect and manage stroke in a timely manner. Experts from different departments guided the physicians.”
Dr Pandian also suggested that stroke was occurring at a very high rate among young people in the city. He emphasized that there was a need for training doctors, nurses, and other staff to treat stroke patients. He had previously demonstrated at CMCH that stroke unit care saves lives at a very low cost. He is currently working with the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop guidelines for improving stroke care in India, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Dr Clarence Samuel, professor of Community Medicine at CMCH, revealed a shocking finding from the Ludhiana Rural Stroke Registry that stroke was the leading cause of death in villages in Ludhiana. One of the causes of these increased deaths could be due to lack of stroke facility and trained doctors available in rural areas. He was happy that many rural physicians were attending the workshop, which would help stroke patients in villages.
In other private hospitals in the city on the occasion, Dr Harinder Singh Bedi, chairman, Cardio-Vascular Sciences at a private hospital, stated: “The most common cardio-vascular diseases are Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and Cerebro-Vascular Diseases (like stroke). All diseases of the heart and blood vessels along with vascular diseases of the brain constitute cardio-vascular diseases. Stroke occurs when blood supply to a part of the brain gets interrupted or blocked, and consequently, brain cells get damaged or die, leading to paralysis of certain parts of the body. The interruption of blood supply to the brain may occur as a result of clogging or blockage of the internal carotid artery (an artery that supplies blood to the brain), leading to an Ischemic Stroke. Ischemic strokes account for 80% of all strokes. Bleeding from a ruptured blood vessel of the brain leads to the formation of a blood clot (that also cuts off the supply of blood to a part of the brain), thereby causing a Haemorrhagic Stroke. After heart attack and cancer, stroke is the leading cause of death in India.”
CAUSES
* High blood pressure
* Obesity
* Diabetes
* High cholesterol
* Lack of exercise
SYMPTOMS
* Sudden paralysis of one side of the body, including feet
* Sudden numbness on one side of the body
* Giddiness, headache, vomiting, loss of consciousness
* Sudden trouble in speaking
WHAT IS STROKE?
Stroke is a brain attack, when blockage occurs in the arteries of the brain. There are two types of strokes:
1. Ischemic Stroke: Brain damage due to blockage of arteries in the brain.
2. Brain Haemorrhage: Blood leaks from vessel wall.
(The first one is more common)
Treatment: Should be started within four hours, and be diagnosed as early as possible. It should be provided in a stroke-ready hospital, where there is a stroke unit, and an educated team is available.
Precautions:
* Control Hypertension and blood pressure.
* Start a healthy diet.
* Control diabetes.
* Alter lifestyle.