Bangalore: With the burden of stroke increasing globally along with its associated long-term disabilities it is estimated that one in six people will have a stroke in their life time. It can affect anyone irrespective of the gender, colour and age. Strokes can be prevented if addressed at the right time, says, Dr Nasli R. Ichaporia, President, Organising Committee, STROKECON2012 at the sidelines of the press conference STROKECON2012 - Seventh National Congress of Indian Stroke Association (ISA).
According to the experts, in India, the rising number of incidents of stroke in low and middle income families has become a burden. In all possibility, a brain attack or stroke will take the sufferer by surprise. However, there still are warning signs, which if recognized on time can help in saving the patient’s life.
Eminent medical personalities including Dr Erle Lim, Singapore; Dr Nirmal Surya, Bombay Hospital, Mumbai; Dr Abhishek Shrivastava, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai; and Dr M V Padma, AIIMS, New Delhi were also present at the press conference.
Talking about the breakthroughs in the stroke treatment, Dr Abhishek Shrivastava, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai said, “By injecting botulinum toxin directly into the affected muscles, the patients get some relief. The drug blocks the release of acetylcouplecholine - a chemical that transmits the signal telling muscles to contract.”
“With limitations of other pharmacologic agents, treatment policies have changed towards increasing use of intramuscular botulinum toxin, which currently is considered the treatment option of choice for upper limb focal spasticity based on the strong evidence base.Treatment with botulinum toxin in arm muscles reduces excessive flexion and associated pain, spasms, or postures that interfere with patients’ self-care,” said Dr. Shrivastava.
Stroke is a chronic disease that should be managed on a continual basis in order to sustain functional gains and address new problems that may arise. It is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. It is the acute severe manifestation of cerebro-vascular disease.
The conference was an educational initiative, designed to bring eminent neuro specialists from India and other countries closer to stroke care by providing up-to-date and clinically relevant information applied to a variety of situations. All the participants were having the opinion that providing proper education and support for stroke survivors, family members and the health professionals involved in their treatment can bring some difference to the current scene.
