Awareness Programme On Golden Hour Being Crucial In Stroke Treatment
Specialists briefed hospital, nursing, and paramedical staff on recognising early symptoms, emergency treatment, and patient care at the programme held in the hospital’s Super Speciality Block.
Vijayawada:Early recognition of stroke symptoms and immediate medical attention during the golden hour can save lives and prevent permanent disability, neurologists said at an awareness programme organised on Friday by the Neurology department of Government General Hospital (GGH) in Vijayawada ahead of the World Stroke Day on October 29.
Specialists briefed hospital, nursing, and paramedical staff on recognising early symptoms, emergency treatment, and patient care at the programme held in the hospital’s Super Speciality Block.
High blood pressure, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, heart disease, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and physical inactivity increase the risk of stroke, the specialists addressing the programme said.
They pointed out that in severe ischaemic strokes, nearly two million neurons may die every minute without treatment, highlighting the need for immediate medical intervention. Eligible patients can receive thrombolysis, a clot-dissolving treatment, generally within 4.5 hours of onset of the symptoms. Endovascular procedures and surgery are also available on the condition of the patients.
Warning signs include sudden weakness in an arm or leg on one side of the body, facial drooping, slurred speech or difficulty in speaking, changes in vision, dizziness, and loss of balance while walking.
Specialists said such strokes can also affect children and young adults, and must not be ignored. They advised people to note the time the symptoms begin and take the patient immediately to a hospital equipped to treat strokes.
Patients can seek urgent medical attention even after 4.5 hours, as select cases may qualify for treatment based on specialised imaging.
The programme had been conducted under the guidance of Neurology department head Dr. U. Aruna Kumari, principal Dr. A. Yedukondala Rao, and hospital superintendent Dr. G. Raghunandan.
Doctors explained the causes, risk factors, warning signs, diagnostic tests, advanced treatment options, post-stroke care, and preventive measures. They asked people to reduce their risk of stroke by avoiding smoking and alcohol, controlling blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol, following a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.
