This week, people and health organizations all over the world will mark the World Stroke Day. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of both the treatment and the prevention of stroke.
Stroke has become a really common health problem in the United Arab Emirates. The general global trend is that the most vulnerable age group are the people aged between 65 and 85. However, stoke statistics for the UAE show that nearly half of all patients in the country suffering from stroke are under 45. In addition, while stroke is the third main cause for disability in the world, in the United Arab Emirates it comes second, right after car accidents. According to latest estimates, every hour, one person in the UAE suffers a stroke.
The UAE will also mark the World Stroke Day. It is expected that a number of hospitals will offer free health screening for their patients, for instance. However, one of the best stroke prevention strategies you can follow, is to learn all the myths and facts connected associated with this condition.
Myth #1 – Only the elderly suffer from strokes
As it was mentioned earlier, more and more people under 45 in the UAE suffer from strokes today. While this rate in the United Arab Emirates is higher than the global average, it not that uncommon for young people to be rushed to hospitals with a stroke. In fact, even infants can suffer. However, younger patients tend to experience the symptoms in a milder form. As a result, they often ignore them and do not even realize they had a stroke.
Myth #2 – There is no such thing as stroke prevention
Stroke is preventable and you can reduce the risks by taking care about your health. A balanced diet and regular exercise can be very effective. Also, it is very important to manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels. If you suffer from diabetes, you should also seek for extra medical attention and advice.
Myth #3 – Stroke is not a condition that can be treated
Most stroke cases are treatable, since they are ischemic. This means they are a result of a clot. If the patient takes the right medication in the first hours after the stroke symptoms, the damaging effect of the condition would be reduced or even prevented.
Myth #4 – Pain is the main stroke symptom
Stroke is often associated with sudden and sharp pain. However, only 3 in 10 stroke patients report to have felt pain. More common are actually other symptoms like confusion, weakness, sudden numbness, coordination troubles and double vision.
Myth #5 – No medical help is necessary when symptoms pass
With some people, stroke symptoms can be very mild. Others quickly shake off the stroke sensation, feeling almost as if they did not have a stroke at all. However, even when the symptoms pass quickly, emergency medical help is always necessary.
Myth #6 – Stroke does not run in the family
The fact is that strokes are hereditary for some. People with a grandparent, parent or sibling who has suffered from a stroke, are in the vulnerable group.
