The cases of young people getting victim of stroke are increasing day by day and the treatment facilities for such health-problem are not sufficient, especially outside Dhaka.
Let’s take a look at the example of Yasir Ali, an eight-year old boy live in Sonaimuri of Noakhali. One day, he became fainted while playing with other children. When he regained consciousness, it has been found that he couldn’t able to move his left hand and foot and muscles of the right side of his face got cramped.
According to the advice of local physician, his guardian took him to National Institute of Neuroscience Hospital (NINH) and there he was diagnosed as stroke victim.
About his health-problem, consultant of pediatric neurology department Dr Shamol Sarker said, “When the patient came to us, after checking up and completing diagnosis, we found he was attacked by stroke. The number of children patients got attacked by stroke still small, however, the number is increasing gradually at present. Due to some defects while being born, diseases associated with blood, presence of less iron in body and heart disease, the children get attacked by stroke.
He said Yasir was suffering from Moamoa disease and because of it, blood-vessels at one side of his head were becoming thin. Latterly, he had to undergo operations in children neurosurgery department of Neuroscience Hospital. Operation procedure was not unnecessary as without it the risk of being attacked by stroke again increases.
The risk of stroke increase with the increase in age, however, even people under 40 and children are becoming victim of it and the rate of their suffering from stroke also escalated.
“Time is valuable” is the theme of ‘World Stroke Day’ this year, but bringing the people from the location far away from the hospitals’ takes lot of time and the patients dies on the way. This year the ‘World Stroke Day’ is being observed by emphasizing on preventing stroke by becoming aware of it. Observing the day, various programmes have been undertaken in Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), NINH, Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital, United Hospital, along with different private hospitals.
Let’s look at another example of youth becoming victim of stroke attack. Alif Hossain (23) was a tea garden labor in Panchagarh. One day, he became senseless after returning from work station. He was taken to local hospital where he regained sense, but it has been found that one side of his body was paralyzed. According to the advice of local physicians, he has been brought to DMCH, where the doctors informed them that they were late to bring him there and it was very hard to cure him.
Professor Dr M Jahirul Haq Chowdhury of NINH told The Bangladesh Pratidin, “So far people thought the stroke basically attacks elderly people. However, observing some recent examples, this concept has been changed. The statistics says at least 10% of the stroke victims are than the age of 40.”
According to a research conducted by Neurosurgery department of DMCH, the propensity of getting attacked by this problem was increased in last 40 years. At present, one of four people is in the risk of becoming victim of stroke. However, in the developed countries the rate has been decreased by 42 %. It has been forecasted that within 2050, among the total number of stroke victims, 80% will be from low and middle-income counties.
Professor Dr Shafiqul Islam of Neurosurgery department of DMCH said, “Among the patients of high-blood pressure, 48% are in the risk of getting attacked by stroke. Due to undisciplined life, 36 among 100 people are getting attacked by stroke. Besides, 19% of the stroke victims had a history of having excess body-fat, 17 suffered from mental stress and 23% were addicted to junk foods.”
After got attacked by stoke, 20 lakh neuron-cells of the brain got damaged immediately. So, after seeing primary symptoms, the patients needed to bring to the hospital as they might get well by taking medications or getting operation. However, if there’s late in treatment procedure, then the risk of becoming paralyzed or losing lives escalates.
Registrar of intervention neurology department of NINH, Dr Humayun Kabir Himu told The Bangladesh Pratidin, “It’s important to know about the symptoms of stroke victims as it’s necessary to take them to hospital as soon as possible. Cramp in the muscles of one side of the face, numbness in the hands and feet, becoming unable to speak and non-responsive, visional difficulties are the primary symptoms of stroke. If the patients are brought in hospital within four hours of getting attacked, it’s possible to cure them.
Stroke Center co-coordinator of United Hospital Dr S M Sadli said, “The age of 15-20% of stroke-victims come here is from 18 to 50. High blood-pressure, diabetics, high level of cholesterol in blood, smoking and obesity are main causes that trigger stroke. Besides, drug addicts also get victim of it.”
He urged everyone to do exercise, remain slim and healthy and take balance diet including lots of vegetable to prevent stroke.
@The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on October 29 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque
