In Commemoration of World Stroke Day on 29th October annually, Health experts have cautioned against unhealthy lifestyle practices that can pose a risk of having a Stroke.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is “EVERY MINUTE COUNTS”, which focuses on urgent stroke symptoms recognition and the need to Act Fast.
The World Stroke Organization, at its Congress in Vancouver, Canada, in 2006, established the 29th of October every year as World Stroke Day to serve as a focal point for advocacy, highlight the urgency and prevalence of stroke, and emphasize the importance of improving prevention, treatment, and post-stroke support for survivors and their caregivers.
Stroke, as a major health concern in Nigeria, has been characterized by a high case fatality rate and limited access to advanced treatments, with a prevalence of approximately 6.7 per 1000 people.
Speaking with our Correspondent, a Specialist Family Physician, Dr Chuwkuma Onyebukwa described stroke to be a medical condition that occurs due to interruption of blood supply to the brain or bleeding in parts of the brain.
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Dr. Onyebukwa reiterated the need for urgency in tackling the sickness as he urged that treatments should be initiated within 3 hours of the commencement of symptoms for reversal.
He explained that poor lifestyle, such as lack of exercise, incessant consumption of alcohol, smoking, and a bad diet, are risk factors of stroke and advised that people should go for regular medical checkups, especially for those with underlying health conditions.
A Public health promotion and education Specialist, Dr Samuel Gentle-Kitoye, noted that people who have hypertension, heart issues, obesity, a family history of stroke, diabetes, and high cholesterol are more prone to stroke, whether Young or Old.
Dr Gentle-Kitoye called on the Government to subsidize drugs, especially anti-hypertensive drugs, provide free screening in rural communities, establish rehabilitation centers for post-stroke recovery, funding of neurological research, and develop locally manufactured drugs to find solutions.
A Stroke Survivor, Mr Chike Ogu, narrated how he struggled to survive the sickness and encouraged those having a stroke to always follow medical advice and necessary medications to overcome stroke.
World Stroke Day is a reminder that stroke is real and the need for people to adapt to a healthy lifestyle as well as go for regular medical checks to ascertain their health conditions.
