Experts Raise The Alarm Over Upsurge Of Stroke

Experts have raised the alarm over the global upsurge in the number of people suffering from stroke.

The experts made the observation Tuesday at a media roundtable organized by Institute for Tropical Disease also known as Cochrane, in Calabar, Cross River State.

According to Dr.Emmanuel Effa, one of the experts and resource person who teaches at the University of Calabar, stroke is one of the leading killers globally, quoting a World Health Organisation (WHO) report that 9.1 million people would be killed by stroke by 2030.

He described stroke as “cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or ‘brain attack’ that could possibly be prevented by avoiding risk factors that could trigger it.”

Dr. Effa said 41% out of 100,000 people have stroke in Nigeria, adding that 24% of all admissions in medical wards in Nigeria suffer from neurological problems out of which most of them are stroke victims.

He said  stroke occurs when supply of blood to the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain is ruptured.

Dr. Effa revealed that symptoms of stroke depend on the region of the brain affected, adding that stroke could occur in any part of the body and the victim could be unable to speak, move part of his body or is paralysed on one side of the body or he could slump and die on the spot.

He also noted that the victim could suffer momentary loss of vision, feel dizzy, suffer headache, feel weak, confused, lose memory, etc.

He said in some cases there may be no warning signs until stroke occurs, adding that in all the cases emergency should be called in.

The medical expert identified risk factors for stroke as smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, increasing age, high blood pressure, heart condition, while risks in those less than 50 years old include consumption of illicit drugs, ruptured aneuresyms, inherited (genetic) predispositions.

According to him, treatment of stroke include administering oxygen, clot bursting medication, clot retrieval, blood pressure control, intravenous lines with drips given, rehabilitation through physiotherapy, speech therapy, etc.

“People who are not active have a high risk of suffering from stroke,” he warned, while speaking on preventive measures which he said include avoiding the risk factors that cause stroke, avoiding high intake of salt which causes high blood pressure that triggers stroke, engaging in regular exercise, etc.

Another expert and resource person at the event, Dr. Olabisi Oduwole, who stood in for Ekpereonne Esu, spoke on physical fitness training and self management programme for stroke patients.

She said when a person has stroke, the person should be encouraged to go for physiotherapy to improve his quality of life.

She listed the most important components of physical fitness to include cardiorespiratory fitness, increasing muscle strength through jogging and cycling and increasing muscle power through weightlifting, etc.

“There is need for more studies on fitness training for stroke patients. It is not clear if training could prevent death outcomes but it improves quality of life,” she  said.

She added that “self management could be provided by health professionals or lay leaders or both through counseling to the stroke patient.

“Self management programme include improved quality of life and improved self efficacy compared with usual care.”