In India every year a large number of people lose their lives due to stroke, however it is important to recognize its symptoms and also take measures to avoid it. 

What is Stroke: Stroke is a disease that damages the arteries that supply blood to the brain. Stroke occurs when the blood vessels that carry nutrients and oxygen to the brain either burst or get blocked by clotting. We spoke to Dr. Nitin Kumar Rai, working at Fortis Escort Hospital Delhi, about what are the symptoms of stroke and how to prevent it. 

Stroke symptoms

1. Difficulty in speaking, i.e. the patient is unable to say what he wants to say. Apart from this, there is also difficulty in understanding what others say.

2. Weakness in one side of the body, face, arms and legs.

3. Vision problems in one or both eyes. This includes dual vision, problems with the field of vision, and blurred vision

4. Changes in consciousness, dizziness, vomiting along with sudden and severe headache may be associated with stroke.

5. Loss of balance and coordination can mimic pneumonic stroke symptoms.

remember this formula

BEFAST

B = Balancing problem

E = Eye Problem

F = Facial Weakness

A = Arm weakness

S = Speech Problem

T = Time of onset

If you notice any of the BEFAST symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor

risk factors for stroke

1. Old age

2. Family history of stroke

3. Atrial fibrillation

4. Tobacco consumption

5. Lack of exercise

6. Bad cholesterol

7. High blood pressure

8. Diabetes

9. Drinking alcohol

10. Suffering from stress for a long time

Ways to prevent stroke

1. Quit tobacco and alcohol. Control your blood pressure and diabetes by medication and lifestyle changes.

2. Avoid tension, do regular yoga, exercise, walk briskly for 30 minutes daily, take a fiber rich healthy diet, avoid oily and processed foods.

3. If your heart beat is irregular, take medicine from a doctor to control it.

4. Patients who have a history of stroke should take blood thinner medicines to prevent future attacks.

Stroke treatment

A stroke patient should be brought to the emergency room within 4.5 hours, the 'golden hour'. Here the clot should be managed by thrombolysis to dissolve it. Also, if there is a large blood vessel block, the clot can be removed by a catheter-based technique called thrombectomy.

(Disclaimer: Dear reader, thank you for reading this news. This news has been written only to make you aware. We have taken the help of home remedies and general information in writing this. If you read anything related to your health anywhere, then definitely consult a doctor before adopting it.)