Ras Al Khaimah: More than 50 per cent patients fail to recognise
symptoms of stroke, and make the cardinal mistake of waiting for these
symptoms to disappear automatically, an expert observed.
Acute stroke or brain attack is a medical emergency and urgent medical care is key to saving lives. Knowledge of a stroke’s warning signs is a must. Brain attacks can be treated effectively, provided that the patient reaches the specialised unit in time.
“What’s important is to identify the symptoms and take immediate action. It is critical that the person be taken to hospital within 1-3 hours to reverse the damage, beyond which it could be permanent,” warned Dr Hillol K Pal, head of Neurosurgery department at RAK Hospital.
“Treatment received in the first 90 minutes is most crucial. The symptoms for stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) or mini stroke are almost similar; while the former is permanent, the latter, potentially reversible,” he said.
“The warning signs of a TIA tend to be discreet. They disappear on their own, do not cause any pain, can be endured and, therefore, forgotten. However, the consequences of a stroke can be cruel, lifelong, painful and impairing, leading to the loss of livelihood or family life, drastically affecting the quality of life or even causing instantaneous death.” “That is why it is critical for everyone to “Be Stroke Smart” and learn a stroke’s 3 Rs: Reduce risk, Recognise symptoms, Respond by calling the nearest hospital that is equipped with an acute stroke unit.”
“Stroke or ‘brain attack’ occurs when a blood clot blocks the blood flow in a vessel or artery or when a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. There are two types of “brain attacks” — ischaemic and haemorrhagic. Ischaemic strokes are the most common kind of strokes, comprising 84 per cent of all strokes,” explained Dr Pal.
Statistically, only three per cent of acute stroke patients worldwide actually reach the hospital in time for any meaningful treatment, and hence it becomes important to educate people about stroke, its causes, symptoms and treatments.
“The TIA or ‘mini stroke’ is caused by a temporary fall in blood supply to the brain, leading to a lack of oxygen to it, something that is usually resolved within 24 hours,” Dr Pal said.
He was speaking on the occasion of launching a specialised “Acute Stroke Unit” set up at RAK Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah.
The unit, which comes as a big respite to the residents in the emirate, has a team of specialised medical professionals working round the clock in an emergency room equipped with neuro-diagnostic facilities, including a 24x7 CT and MRI scanner and a 24x7 laboratory service.
“Since the launch of this unit, many brain stroke cases have been effectively treated, and life-saving emergency care provided to the people of Ras Al Khaimah and surrounding emirates,” Dr Pal revealed.
Acute stroke or brain attack is a medical emergency and urgent medical care is key to saving lives. Knowledge of a stroke’s warning signs is a must. Brain attacks can be treated effectively, provided that the patient reaches the specialised unit in time.
“What’s important is to identify the symptoms and take immediate action. It is critical that the person be taken to hospital within 1-3 hours to reverse the damage, beyond which it could be permanent,” warned Dr Hillol K Pal, head of Neurosurgery department at RAK Hospital.
“Treatment received in the first 90 minutes is most crucial. The symptoms for stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) or mini stroke are almost similar; while the former is permanent, the latter, potentially reversible,” he said.
“The warning signs of a TIA tend to be discreet. They disappear on their own, do not cause any pain, can be endured and, therefore, forgotten. However, the consequences of a stroke can be cruel, lifelong, painful and impairing, leading to the loss of livelihood or family life, drastically affecting the quality of life or even causing instantaneous death.” “That is why it is critical for everyone to “Be Stroke Smart” and learn a stroke’s 3 Rs: Reduce risk, Recognise symptoms, Respond by calling the nearest hospital that is equipped with an acute stroke unit.”
“Stroke or ‘brain attack’ occurs when a blood clot blocks the blood flow in a vessel or artery or when a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. There are two types of “brain attacks” — ischaemic and haemorrhagic. Ischaemic strokes are the most common kind of strokes, comprising 84 per cent of all strokes,” explained Dr Pal.
Statistically, only three per cent of acute stroke patients worldwide actually reach the hospital in time for any meaningful treatment, and hence it becomes important to educate people about stroke, its causes, symptoms and treatments.
“The TIA or ‘mini stroke’ is caused by a temporary fall in blood supply to the brain, leading to a lack of oxygen to it, something that is usually resolved within 24 hours,” Dr Pal said.
He was speaking on the occasion of launching a specialised “Acute Stroke Unit” set up at RAK Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah.
The unit, which comes as a big respite to the residents in the emirate, has a team of specialised medical professionals working round the clock in an emergency room equipped with neuro-diagnostic facilities, including a 24x7 CT and MRI scanner and a 24x7 laboratory service.
“Since the launch of this unit, many brain stroke cases have been effectively treated, and life-saving emergency care provided to the people of Ras Al Khaimah and surrounding emirates,” Dr Pal revealed.
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