Remember time is your greatest ally if this disease were to strike you. The more the lapse of time the greater chances of the brain cells being permanently damaged.

The treatment of stroke – a condition where the blood supply to part of the brain is disrupted, causing brain cells to die, depends on where the stroke occurred in your brain, and on whether it is ischemic or haemorrhagic. This can be detected by an MRI, CT imaging or an angiography. Clot-busters are the first line of treatment for strokes caused by the blockage of cerebral (of the brain) arteries, and are most effective if used within 3 hours of onset of a stroke. Beside this, anti-hypertensive, platelet-inhibiting, aspirin and anticoagulants are used. After this a surgery for opening the carotid artery is usually carried out. In haemorrhagic stroke, a diuretic (drug to flush out the fluid) is also used. Surgery is rarely carried out except when there is an aneurysm (dilatation of the artery).

Please do not waste time, and take the patient to the near-by well equipped hospital at the earliest, for you will give them a fair chance to survive. In-time medical help and rehabilitation is the saving grace. Rehabilitation depends on the extent of damage, patient’s outlook to life & motivation, empowerment & skills of the rehabilitating team, and support from friends & family.

To Be Continued…