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| Credit: Stroke Association |
By Dr. Bertha Ekeh
LifeStyle
Modification–
Modification of lifestyle is a basic important factor to consider in issues of stroke.
Modification–
Modification of lifestyle is a basic important factor to consider in issues of stroke.
Stroke can be prevented by doing the
following:
following:
1. Diet and
exercise
exercise
2. Weight Reduction
3. Reduce Salt intake
4. Reduce Alcohol intake
5. Blood pressure, Sugar,
Lipids control
Lipids control
While global emphasis is on ensuring
that stroke survivors are reintegrated into near normal life, it is sad to note
that the practice in Nigeria and in fact sub– Saharan
Africa, is encouraging very high mortality from Stroke as well as severe
disability for the Survivors.
that stroke survivors are reintegrated into near normal life, it is sad to note
that the practice in Nigeria and in fact sub– Saharan
Africa, is encouraging very high mortality from Stroke as well as severe
disability for the Survivors.
The main reasons for these are:
1. Poor control of risk factors
2. Sub optimal stroke care
In view of this, we cannot help but keep laying emphasis on
The need for Optimal Stroke Car and Stroke Prevention.
A. Optimal Stroke care in our
hospitals
hospitals
Components of optimal care include:
1.Establishment of Stroke units in all Teaching Hospitals
2. Availability of trained personnel including nurses, physiotherapists,
speech therapists etc
speech therapists etc
3. Availability of Thrombolytic agents
4 Availability of Neurosurgical Services
These should not be beyond the Nigerian Healthcare System.
Stroke is a common Acute Medical Emergency. It is also called ”
Brain Attack” in order to emphasize the urgency required in the
management.
Brain Attack” in order to emphasize the urgency required in the
management.
There is no time to fly abroad for treatment for anyone who has a Stroke
in Nigeria. This is because the time frame for optimal care is very narrow. It
will take least six hours to fly to Europe and much longer to the the US even when there is a ready air ambulance.
in Nigeria. This is because the time frame for optimal care is very narrow. It
will take least six hours to fly to Europe and much longer to the the US even when there is a ready air ambulance.
We need to have optimal Acute Stroke Care in our hospitals. I hope this
gets to health policy makers, multinational companies, churches or any
individual who can contribute.
gets to health policy makers, multinational companies, churches or any
individual who can contribute.
You can only receive Optimal Stroke Care in you city of domicile. It’s
in minutes and few hours!
in minutes and few hours!
While the theme for the 2018 World Stroke Day
was #UpAgainAfterStroke:
was #UpAgainAfterStroke:
Support for Life After Stroke, it is important to note
that the Global Stroke Bill of Rights in 2016 identified key aspects of
recovery as follows:
that the Global Stroke Bill of Rights in 2016 identified key aspects of
recovery as follows:
1.Be provided with hope for the best possible recovery
2.Receive psychological and emotional support
3. Be included in all aspects of society regardless of the disability
4. Receive support( financial and otherwise)
5. Be supported to return to work and other activities
6. Get access to formal and informal advocacy
7. Be connected to other stroke survivors and caregivers
Always remember that” THE BEST STROKE IS THE STROKE YOU NEVER HAD
Dr. Bertha C
Ekeh is a Consultant Neurologist at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Ekeh is a Consultant Neurologist at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
