Why diabetics suffer more stroke and attacks of paralysis ?
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Dr KK Pandey
Quite frequently you would have overheard people talking about either their fathers or elder brothers who had suffered from strokes and had been confined to bed since then. They did have diabetes and blood pressure problems, even though without any difficulty they would walk and undertake daily morning rounds of park, but after an attack of stroke, they not only stopped their daily morning walk, but were even unable to reach bathroom without a physical help. You must have heard your friends or relatives using the word “stroke” in their conversations. You would have also heard, that the victim after the episode of stroke developed weakness in hand or leg and would stumble while walking, and he needed somebody’s help for walking. You would also have noticed that your acquaintance who had stroke, would frequently become emotional and his eyes would get filled with tears. Some people, after an attack of stroke start losing temper and get angry on small provocations. Some people feel loss of memory after an episode of stroke.
What is this stroke all about?
The direct meaning of stroke in a simple language is sudden attack of unconsciousness or paralysis or both simultaneously at the same time. Later on, the unconsciousness although might disappear but paralysis persists and affects hand or foot. Previously stroke used to attack generally elderly people, but now due to rapid rise in number of diabetic patients, middle –aged persons are falling victim to stroke. These days even a 50 year old may suffer from stroke.
Stroke means knocking at the door of death?
According to one analysis, stroke has emerged as a biggest merchant of death all over the world. Out of all deaths, stroke becomes the third largest cause of death in general, but among deaths occurring in diabetics and heart patients, the stroke stands out as the second important cause. Men are ones and the half time more at risk of developing stroke than women. It has been seen among diabetics who suffer from stroke for the first time, forty out of hundred patients meet an fatal end. The survivors of first stroke if they get a second attack of stroke, thirty five out of hundred die but if they get the third attack, 65% of survivors embrace death. One can imagine the enormity of loss of human lives caused due to stroke among diabetics.
What is this TIA ?
Quite frequently, people would have heard a word “TIA” from doctors’ mouth. This T.I.A or “Transient Ischemic Attacks” means mini or a small stroke. In TIA, a person has momentary loss of consciousness and development of weakness, but this condition does not last for more than twenty four hours, and the person who had TIA. becomes normal outwardly. About one third of TIA patients suffer a real fatal stroke within five years, if preventive strategy is not adopted. Therefore a patient who had TIA must take full precautions and keep consulting a vascular surgeon frequently besides neurologist (Neuro Physician) so that possibility of a major stroke can be prevented by all means.
The major cause of this TIA or momentary fall in consciousness level and power is the narrowing or blockade of blood pipes in the neck which carry pure blood to brain. That is why, the investigation of blood pipes of neck in a patient suffering from TIA is very essential and such patients in this regard should take the help of a vascular surgeon.
Which diabetic population is more prone to develop major stroke?
1.) Advancing age or elderly people.
2.) TIA patients.
3.) High blood pressure patients.
4.) Patients suffering from heart disease.
If an elderly person is suffering from high blood pressure and having had an heart attack previously, believe me, he will sooner or later is bound to have an attack of T.I.A. or major stroke. Therefore such patients must observe certain precautions.
(To be contd)
Quite frequently you would have overheard people talking about either their fathers or elder brothers who had suffered from strokes and had been confined to bed since then. They did have diabetes and blood pressure problems, even though without any difficulty they would walk and undertake daily morning rounds of park, but after an attack of stroke, they not only stopped their daily morning walk, but were even unable to reach bathroom without a physical help. You must have heard your friends or relatives using the word “stroke” in their conversations. You would have also heard, that the victim after the episode of stroke developed weakness in hand or leg and would stumble while walking, and he needed somebody’s help for walking. You would also have noticed that your acquaintance who had stroke, would frequently become emotional and his eyes would get filled with tears. Some people, after an attack of stroke start losing temper and get angry on small provocations. Some people feel loss of memory after an episode of stroke.
What is this stroke all about?
The direct meaning of stroke in a simple language is sudden attack of unconsciousness or paralysis or both simultaneously at the same time. Later on, the unconsciousness although might disappear but paralysis persists and affects hand or foot. Previously stroke used to attack generally elderly people, but now due to rapid rise in number of diabetic patients, middle –aged persons are falling victim to stroke. These days even a 50 year old may suffer from stroke.
Stroke means knocking at the door of death?
According to one analysis, stroke has emerged as a biggest merchant of death all over the world. Out of all deaths, stroke becomes the third largest cause of death in general, but among deaths occurring in diabetics and heart patients, the stroke stands out as the second important cause. Men are ones and the half time more at risk of developing stroke than women. It has been seen among diabetics who suffer from stroke for the first time, forty out of hundred patients meet an fatal end. The survivors of first stroke if they get a second attack of stroke, thirty five out of hundred die but if they get the third attack, 65% of survivors embrace death. One can imagine the enormity of loss of human lives caused due to stroke among diabetics.
What is this TIA ?
Quite frequently, people would have heard a word “TIA” from doctors’ mouth. This T.I.A or “Transient Ischemic Attacks” means mini or a small stroke. In TIA, a person has momentary loss of consciousness and development of weakness, but this condition does not last for more than twenty four hours, and the person who had TIA. becomes normal outwardly. About one third of TIA patients suffer a real fatal stroke within five years, if preventive strategy is not adopted. Therefore a patient who had TIA must take full precautions and keep consulting a vascular surgeon frequently besides neurologist (Neuro Physician) so that possibility of a major stroke can be prevented by all means.
The major cause of this TIA or momentary fall in consciousness level and power is the narrowing or blockade of blood pipes in the neck which carry pure blood to brain. That is why, the investigation of blood pipes of neck in a patient suffering from TIA is very essential and such patients in this regard should take the help of a vascular surgeon.
Which diabetic population is more prone to develop major stroke?
1.) Advancing age or elderly people.
2.) TIA patients.
3.) High blood pressure patients.
4.) Patients suffering from heart disease.
If an elderly person is suffering from high blood pressure and having had an heart attack previously, believe me, he will sooner or later is bound to have an attack of T.I.A. or major stroke. Therefore such patients must observe certain precautions.
(To be contd)