October 2022 Full PDF final

HEALTH
INTERVIEW
Neurologists advised people to visit hospitals right away if they experience any symptom of stroke. Mohammad
Sumon Rana, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology at DMCH, said, "Every minute after stroke
counts for it means damage of 2 million neurons." There are 2,213 hospitals and 45,723 registered physicians
in the country, but only 160 of them are neurologists.
There are only five private hospitals and two government-run hospitals in Dhaka offering stroke care to patients.
If the blood clots are mechanically removed within eight hours of the outset of the deadly disease,
stroke patient can get benefitted. Anti-blood clotting medication can be used to treat the condition in its
early stages. Stenting can also be used to treat strokes.
RISK FACTORS FOR STROKE
DIABETES
OBESITY
UNHEALTHY DIET
SMOKING
SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE
FAMILY HISTORY
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
SEVERE MENTAL STRESS
ABNORMAL CHOLESTEROL EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL INTAKE
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION (ABNORMAL HEART RHYTHM)
How can young people reduce stroke risk?
Research shows that obesity is a major contributor to the cause of rising stroke cases among adults aged
below 45. The prevalence of obesity among kids and teenagers nowadays raises the lifetime risk of stroke.
The risks of diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension – all get increased by obesity. All of these are significant
stroke risk factors for any age-group people.
Consuming healthy, fresh, and non-processed foods and refraining from consuming sugary beverages have
been related to a reduced risk of stroke/cardiovascular disease. But according to American research, decreasing
salt intake is the most significant dietary modification to consider. It states, “If one is predisposed to
high blood pressure and consumes a lot of salt, he/she will have a difficult time controlling high blood pressure,
which is the leading cause of stroke. Fast food and prepared foods are notoriously rich in sodium and
are best to avoid.”
Even if one decides not to completely give up smoking, reduction in one's cigarette intake can help reduce
the risk of stroke in young adults. According to Journal Stroke published in 2018, the more cigarettes individual
under the age of 50 smoked, the more likely they were to suffer an ischemic stroke. The study suggested
that quitting smoking should be the goal, but even cutting back can help people under 50 to have
fewer strokes.
With the overall recommendations put forth, regular health checks for diabetes and high blood pressure
would be incredibly useful for younger people. Regardless of age, awareness of the dangers and knowing the
symptoms of any stroke is one of the most effective approaches to prevention or recovery.
The rate of stroke is gradually increasing in Bangladesh.
Deaths from stroke are also abnormally on the
rise among the youths. In an exclusive interview with
Press Xpress, Professor DR MD SHAFIQUL ISLAM, Neurology
Department, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical
University, discussed about the growing concern
and the possible way out of this predicament.
Why are stroke cases rising alarmingly in Bangladesh?
Not only in Bangladesh, but stroke is one of the leading causes of death in almost every countries
around the world. According to the statistics of last 10-20 years, stroke rate is rising in the developing
countries. On contrary, developed countries are reducing the incidence of stroke. Because, they have
been preparing for a long time. People of those countries are more aware and take good care of their
health, hence stroke rates are lower in those countries.
A recent report brings to the fore that stroke is rising among the youths. How do you evaluate this?
It’s true that stroke is increasing among the young generation in our country. If you look at the developed
countries, you will see that youth there are health conscious. They eat healthy food and do physical
exercise regularly. On the other hand, youths in our country are leaning towards fast food, not doing
enough physical activity. If we don’t do physical activities, regularly eat fast food, then our body joints
will not move properly, body fat will accumulate, and blood fat will increase – leading to stroke.
Do you think, raising stroke awareness can help check stroke? What should be done?
There is a lack of proper identification, detection of stroke in Bangladesh. We need to modernise the
stroke identification process. Most importantly, awareness has to be created among all. There are only
a handful of neuroscience doctors here. Hence, it is impossible for us alone to create mass awareness. If
neurologists, rehab specialists, and general physicians learn and understand stroke as a social practice,
and simply explain it to the people, then we will be able to make enough population aware just within
a year.
Patients should feel comfortable communicating with neurologists. What would you
suggest patients to open up about their condition?
Stroke is a brain disease caused by a blocked or ruptured blood vessel. Since it is a blood vessel related
disease, it can affect the brain. The risk of stroke also increases with age, but if you are aware, 80% of
strokes are preventable. If you consider the risk factors of stroke such as; diabetes, pressure, smoking
and if you know and find solutions to them, there will be no more risk of stroke.
Is there any other conditions that make further stroke more likely? What can a stroke patient, young
or old, do to reduce further risk?
There are some minor and major symptoms before stroke. Migraines also can lead to major stroke
symptoms, numbness and movement abnormalities may also be symptoms. To know about these
symptoms, everyone should be alert and consult with doctors about these issues. We also need to raise
awareness among the youth. In my opinion, all hospitals should screen for symptoms of this disease extensively.
If a stroke patient comes in with symptoms, if he doesn't have a stroke, he shouldn’t assume
that nothing happened to me and nothing will happen further. Rather, if he gets a clear understanding
of other symptoms and strategies to stay healthy, he can be aware as well as make others aware. We
have to make these signs simple for them. For example; there is a shorter term associated with stroke
symptoms – FAST. F is face, it means bending of face, A is arm, and it indicates paralysis or weakening
of arm. S is speech, it means that speech becomes slurred or stopped. And T indicates Telephone. That
is, if you see these symptoms, call the hospital without any delay.
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