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AKUH 'Signs, Symptoms and Care' Programme
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Pakistanis at Risk of Stroke
"Stroke or brain attack is one of the three major killer diseases
and is also a leading cause of disability in the adult population.
Every year some 750,000 people suffer a stroke in North America. While
precise data is unavailable for Pakistan, estimates based on the National
Heath Survey of the early '90s suggest that roughly 500,000 to 800,000
people in this country suffer disability due to stroke. The exact
figure, however, is probably much higher."
This was stated by Dr Bhojo Asumal Khealani, Senior Instructor and
Consultant Neurologist, Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University
(AKU), while giving a presentation on 'What Is Stroke and How It Can
Be Prevented'. Dr Khealani was speaking at 'Signs, Symptoms and Care',
a public health awareness programme organised by Aga Khan University
Hospital (AKUH) on April 29, 2005, in Hyderabad.
Dr Khealani explained that stroke occurs as a result of either a rupture
or blockade of a vessel supplying blood to the brain. "In either case,
the afflicted person develops sudden focal deficits. Depending on
the area involved, this may result in one-sided weakness, one-sided
numbness, difficulty in walking, talking or swallowing, vertigo, visual
loss and even coma."
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is second only to age as the single
most important risk factor for stroke and almost every third person
in Pakistan over 45 suffers from this ailment, elaborated Dr Khealani. "Other significant risk factors are diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol,
smoking and obesity. Every fourth person in Pakistan above the age
of 45 has diabetes mellitus, and incidence is rising so much so that
the country will soon have the fourth largest population of diabetics
in the world. Similarly, dyslipidaemia is also common and every eighth
person over 15 years has abnormal lipids," he said.
Given these alarming figures, Dr Khealani warned that the entire nation
is at risk of developing stroke. Control of underlying factors, he
stressed, is of utmost importance in terms of prevention. Once a stroke
occurs, chances of recurrence are even higher and again risk-factor
control is essential to prevent further attacks. In addition, stroke
victims are also required to take antiplatelet agents; e.g. aspirin
in the case of ischaemic stroke (blockade of the vessel).
Countering the myth that stroke is untreatable, Dr Khealani informed
participants that drugs are now available which can improve outcome
if administered within three hours of stroke onset. As such it is
crucial to reach a hospital as soon as symptoms develop," he concluded.
The second featured speaker was Dr Shahid Masud Baig, Professor of
Neurology Section, Department of Medicine, AKU, who gave a presentation
on 'Epilepsy - Signs, Symptoms and Treatment'. "Epilepsy is a common
neurological disorder which affects all ages, races, classes and countries,"
said Dr Baig. "It is very much a treatable disorder. However, more
than 80 per cent of epilepsy patients live in developing countries
and most of them remain undiagnosed and untreated, with the overwhelming
majority never even consulting a doctor."
Dr Baig pointed out that epilepsy is misunderstood, feared and a source
of stigma. Epilepsy can present itself in various ways, he said, adding
that body jerks, stiffness and loss of consciousness are only a few
of many manifestations. Causes of epilepsy can vary by age group,
explained Dr Baig. "For instance, stroke and brain tumour are a common
cause of epilepsy in the elderly. Timely diagnosis and treatment can
prevent most complications and patients with epilepsy can lead a normal
life."
Dr Mughis Sheerani, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Department of
Medicine, AKU, also participated in the question-and-answer session
that followed the presentations.
As part of its outreach programme and societal commitment of creating
awareness of early diagnosis and timely treatment, AKUH has organised
over 160 'Signs, Symptoms and Care' programmes in Karachi, Hyderabad
and the UAE, reaching out to more than 35,000 people.
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