High Rate of Strokes in Kerala Underline Need for Setting Up of Rehab Centers

A leading stroke expert has underlined the need for establishing rehabilitation centers for stroke patients in Kerala.

A leading stroke expert has underlined the need for establishing rehabilitation centers for stroke patients in Kerala where the rising rates of the disease is almost on par with developed countries.

Developed countries have a system where stroke patients are sent straight from hospital to rehabilitation centres.

Stroke – Early Warning Signs - Risk Factor - Rehab - Treatment
Stroke can cause permanent disability and it is important to recognize its early warning signs to stop its progress. Early warning signs of stroke include sudden weakness of facial muscles.

"Such an intervention, especially in the first month after the stroke, is very important for the recovery of the patient," said Canada-based stroke neurologist Andrew Demchuk, who is in the city to attend the 9th National Conference of Indian Stroke Association (ISACON 2014) that began here Friday.

Stroke rehabilitation centres typically provides the patient comprehensive rehabilitation including occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech therapy under one roof, pointed out the expert neurologist.

The three-day ISACON 2014, organised by the Kerala Association of Neurologists, focuses on prevention of stroke, advances in its medicine and rehabilitation of stroke survivors.

How to Deal with a Stroke - Signs - Symptoms - Risk Factors - Prevention
Stroke is a brain attack, which occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. It affects all age groups; according to the WHO, 15 million people are affected by stroke annually.

P.N. Sylaja at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) here, said SCTIMST is making an effort to train primary care-givers in rehabilitation of patients.

"But apart from this care-giver based rehabilitation programme, we definitely need more rehabilitation centres and more stroke units in the state," said Sylaja.

Stress and the Gender Divide-Mars and Venus-Biology-Different Strokes
Stress has become entwined in the current lifestyle of a young working couple and has resulted in the rise in incidence of hypertension, diabetes and psychosomatic illnesses.

"Time is a major factor. The brain gets damaged in about four and a half hours after the brain attack. So we need to start the treatment within this golden window period," said V.G. Pradeep Kumar of Baby Memorial Hospital, Kozhikode.

Over 450 delegates are attending the conference which ends on Sunday.

Source-IANS