Strokes Can Strike at Any Age
Strokes Can Strike at Any Age
Strokes are no longer just a problem for older people. More and more young adults, and even children, are having strokes. While medical treatments have improved, the biggest problem is still the same, people do not get help fast enough.
Time is the most important factor when it comes to stroke. Doctors say the first 4.5 hours after symptoms begin is called the “golden window.” Treatments like special injections and procedures to remove blood clots work best during this time. If treatment is delayed, the chances of brain damage and disability go up quickly. Experts say around 20 lakh brain cells die every minute after a stroke starts.
Even with this urgency, very few people reach the hospital in time. In India, less than one per cent of stroke patients get treatment within this golden window. A big reason for this is that many people do not know the signs of a stroke or what to do when it happens. One easy way to remember the early signs is with the word BEFAST.
It stands for Balance problems, Eye vision loss, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and time to act. If you or someone around you shows any of these signs, even if they go away or seem minor, you should seek medical help immediately. Waiting to see if the person gets better can reduce their chance of recovery and increase the risk of long-term damage.
It is also essential to know that not every hospital can treat strokes. Some are called stroke-ready centres. These places have special tools and trained doctors who can give the proper treatment quickly, like IV injections or a method to remove clots directly from the brain.
Most strokes, around 85 per cent, are caused by a clot that blocks blood flow to the brain. These are called ischemic strokes and can often be treated if caught early. The rest are called hemorrhagic strokes, caused by bleeding in the brain, and need a different kind of care.
While health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and high cholesterol can increase the risk of a stroke, not all strokes can be prevented. Even healthy people can have a stroke because of infections, heart problems, or inherited conditions. That is why knowing the warning signs and acting fast is important. Getting to the right hospital during the golden window can be the difference between a full recovery and a lifetime of challenges.
