‘Patients can survive if they reach the hospital immediately after a stroke’

 ‘Patients can survive if they reach the hospital immediately after a stroke’

When it comes to stroke, many people think that it causes death. ‘The chances of survival are zero, even if they survive, there is a possibility of paralysis.’ ‘Even if that person survives after treatment, they will not be active.’

Senior neurologist, neurosurgeon and spine specialist Prof. Dr. Rajiv Jha says that this thinking is not entirely true. According to him, if you reach the hospital at the right time and get treatment, the chances of survival are high.

What is a stroke, how does it happen?

A stroke is a stroke that occurs due to some reason. It is of two types, one is when a brain artery dries up and the other is when a nerve in the brain ruptures and bleeds, causing a stroke.

This is a complex problem in itself. But if treatment is provided on time, the patient can be saved. Because when we examine the cases of stroke in our country, it is seen that most of the deaths occur before reaching the hospital.

This problem is more likely to occur in people with an unhealthy lifestyle. This problem can occur if cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure are not detected in time or if they are not taken by the doctor or if they are not followed up by the doctor, if they take medicine but drink alcohol and smoke excessively, do not exercise at all, and if they are not eating properly and are obese.

What is the growth rate of stroke patients in Nepal?

Stroke patients are on the rise in Nepal. Recently, it seems that young people are also at risk. It is a sad fact that treatment is not possible when stroke problems appear and treatment is delayed.

The reason for this is diet, not reaching the hospital on time, geographical location, and insufficient health institutions and doctors. If we look at the world's statistics, stroke is the third leading cause of death and paralysis. Experts have estimated that stroke is the leading cause of death and paralysis in the last five years. In the context of Nepal, stroke is the fifth.

Is treatment possible after stroke?

Stroke is possible. If a stroke occurs and the patient reaches a hospital with skilled doctors and equipment for stroke treatment at the right time, treatment is possible. The patient's life can be saved. But ironically, there are no special centers for stroke in Nepal. Therefore, it is difficult to get the right treatment and survive.

What should a specialized unit be like?

A specialized unit means that there should be separate medicines, laboratories, surgeries, skilled doctors, and 24-hour service required for stroke treatment. The unit should have a cath lab. With treatment including that lab, where a blood clot is stuck in the brain, a wire-like device can be inserted through the knee or foot and removed.

Are there such specialized units in Nepal?

In Nepal, specialized stroke units can be counted on the fingers. These include Bir Hospital, Upendra Devkota Memorial Neuro Hospital, Annapurna Neuro Hospital, Norvic Hospital, Grandee International Hospital, and Medicity Hospital. These are the hospitals within Kathmandu. Outside the valley, there would be zero hospitals. Which is why it is sad. There is no way to save patients who are geographically scattered.

How successful is the treatment for those who reach the hospital after the problem is identified?

Successful treatment can be achieved if the first four hours of a stroke are reached. After that, they can return to normal life. Those four hours are also called the golden hour.

Therefore, they should be taken to the hospital as soon as possible. Even if paralysis occurs after four hours, 15 out of 100 people can return to normal after medication and physiotherapy. The results of 85 percent are not favorable. In the case of Nepal, deaths occur after reaching the hospital late.

What is the reason for not reaching the hospital on time?

In Nepal, there is a wait-and-see attitude when there is a problem. If something happens to someone, the situation becomes serious due to lack of knowledge about stroke. In emergency cases like stroke, the situation is even more dire. Symptoms seen after a stroke include headache, mouth twitching, slurred speech, tingling in the arms and legs. By the time the nearest hospital is reached, time has already passed to provide first aid. The condition can become serious when taken to the hospital for main treatment.

If paralysis occurs after a stroke, what is the chance of recovery?

There is a possibility of returning to normal after a stroke. But rehabilitation centers are necessary to improve after a stroke. In Nepal, there are few rehabilitation centers. According to the government, the rehabilitation opened specifically for stroke is zero.

Is there any prevention of stroke?

There is no prevention of stroke. But if you have to exert force on your body, the risk increases. People with diabetes or heart disease should not exert excessive force to defecate, and those with prostate problems should not exert excessive force to urinate.

Similarly, increasing physical activity, controlling chronic diseases, and avoiding alcohol addiction can prevent not only stroke, but many diseases.