53-year-old Muthu (name changed) was working in the field as usual when suddenly he started losing vision in his left eye. He tried calling out to his son who was working a few feet away but suddenly couldn’t remember his son’s name. Panicked and confused, Muthu was finally able to get his son’s attention. “By the time I reached him, I could see that the left side of his face was drooping and he was muttering something which made no sense to me,” says Raja, Muthu’s son.
According to Dr. Arun Kumar, the neurologist at Peacock Hospital, Tiruttani, “Muthu was exhibiting classic symptoms of a stroke.” Stroke is a condition that can affect anyone, at any time. Dr. Arun Kumar defines stroke as any abrupt disruption of blood supply to the brain that occurs as a result of a blood clot (ischemic stroke) or rupture of blood vessels (hemorrhagic stroke). “Majority of the strokes are ischemic strokes due to high cholesterol levels in the blood,” says Dr. Arun Kumar.
Since stroke is a condition that affects the brain, it can affect multiple functions of the body and cause a myriad of symptoms. The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association have come up with an acronym that can be used as a mnemonic to help people remember the symptoms of a stroke: B.E. F.A.S.T.
B – Balance loss
E – Eyesight troubles
F – Facial drooping or asymmetry
A – Arm or leg weakness
S – Speech slurring or difficulty
T – Time to reach a hospital
When a person has a stroke, they can have either one of these symptoms or a combination of any of these symptoms. Other common symptoms of stroke include headaches, dizziness, trouble understanding speech, numbness of the face, arm, or leg especially on one side, etc.
According to Dr. Arun Kumar, life after a stroke can be very challenging for most patients as they experience the aftermath of this terrible condition. Paralysis, speech impairment, Aphasia, urinary or bowel incontinence, trouble chewing or swallowing, etc are some of the effects of having had a stroke. “However, this need not be the case always, especially for ischemic stroke,” says Dr. Arun Kumar.
The longer the blood supply to the brain remains blocked, the higher the chances of brain damage. Therefore, if the blood supply to the brain is restored quickly, brain damage can be minimized to a large extent. “Time is of the essence in stroke cases, especially an ischemic stroke which is reversible if the patient is brought to the hospital within 4.5 hours,” says Dr. Arun Kumar. Thrombolytic agents when administered within 4.5 hours of stroke occurrence can dissolve the blood clots and restore the blood supply to the brain, thereby lessening brain damage. This ‘window period’ of 4.5 hours is very crucial in determining the quality of life of a stroke victim.
“Raja’s quick action and presence of mind saved his father from a lifetime of agony. Since Muthu was brought to Peacock Hospital within 4.5 hours of having suffered from a stroke, we were able to administer the thrombolytic agent and reverse the effects of the stroke.”
Dr. Arun Kumar’s advice to people is to be aware of the symptoms of stroke and to visit a hospital immediately if you or anyone you know experience B.E. F.A.S.T.