Shocking trend! – Younger persons suffer from Strokes (paralytic attacks)!
Posted on: 15/Jul/2014 3:36:29 PM
The general perception is that strokes or paralytic attacks are suffered by the elderly people.
On the contrary, Chennai doctors inform that more & more people at the age of 40 around suffer from strokes often with debilitating consequences.
Immediate medical attention is the most important aspect.
A stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is interrupted due to a clot or when a blood vessel is ruptured.
A 2013 study revealed that less than only 14 per cent of Chennai residents knew a stroke could occur without any pain and less than 8 per cent knew drugs had to be administered within 4 hours to avoid brain damage or death. There has been some minor improvement on these percentages.
Stroke causing factors à uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, lack of exercise, stress, bad food habits that young children are exposed to and excessive smoking and drinking are all risk factors for a stroke. Sometimes, genetic disposition also is a factor.
One in five stroke patients was now between the ages of 30 and 50.
Many young people do not even realise they are having a stroke. When they experience numbness or difficulty in speaking or using their limbs for a few minutes, they brush it off not realising it was a stroke. It could have been a minor stroke but later, a major one could occur. So, it is vital to get checked out.
At Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital between 10-15 per cent of stroke patients are below the age of 40.
It is crucial to seek help at a facility that can treat strokes within 4 hours as both survival rate and disability rate are far better then.
The tragic part, doctors say, is that while many young patients recover, some are left with a disability that lasts all their lives, need to be on medication and sometimes cannot go back to their regular jobs.
