Education on Stroke & Mental Health

Public awareness, students, allied health sciences, medical graduates, nurses on scientific check up of blood pressure, blood sugar, identification of stroke. Offering, certificate, diploma on taught courses leading to an award of credentials.

SYMPOSIA, CONFERENCES

Conducting monthly symposia to follow challenges, success in patients follow up, new patient’s enrollment, outcome of education & research activities. Bi yearly working with stake holders , public leaders, doctors, neurophysicians, neurosurgeons, allied health workers nursing staff. Arranging National conference on stroke & Mental Health inviting aforementioned to attend. Yearly working with international community on Stroke & Mental Health in furthering research and education to help in finding new techniques, inventions in stroke & mental health that might help in reducing human suffering.

Our Vision:

To minimize the incidence of stroke and help those who suffered from stroke.

Our Mission:

To avert stroke, restore health after a stroke by providing rehabilitation and educational assistance.

Stroke & Mental Health Foundation can help in diagnosis and treatment of Stroke and diseases relevant with mental health.

Patient Care Services offered by Stroke & Mental Health Foundation (SMHF) are:

Consultancy service
Preventive care
Nutritional support
Emotional support and health education.
Psychosocial developmental therapy.
Counseling sessions.
Physical therapy
Occupational Therapy
Speech and language Therapy
Nursing Care

What is Stroke?

A stroke, also known as brain attack, occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or obstructed, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. This can result in the death of brain cells and permanent brain damage or death. There are two main types of strokes: Ischemic stroke the most common type of stroke occurring when a brain blood vessel is blocked(thrombotic stroke). Furthermore when a clot travels form heart or damaged tissues(embolic stroke). Hemorrhagic stroke: This occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain tissue, causing damage and swelling. Hemorrhagic strokes can result from conditions such as high blood pressure, aneurysms, or arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Strokes can cause various symptoms depending on the part of the brain affected, including sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking or understanding speech, vision problems, severe headache, dizziness, and loss of balance or coordination. Prompt medical attention is crucial in the event of a stroke, treatments such as clot-busting medications or procedures to remove clots can help minimize brain damage and improve outcomes. Moreover rehabilitation and lifestyle changes may be necessary for recovery and to reduce the risk of future strokes.

Signs of stroke

Recognizing the signs of a stroke and acting quickly can be critical in minimizing brain damage and improving outcomes. The American Stroke Association and other health organizations often use the acronym “FAST” to help people remember the signs of a stroke.

Face drooping: One side of the face may droop or become numb. Ask the person to smile, and check if their smile is uneven.

Arm weakness: One arm may be weak or numb. Ask the person to raise both arms, and see if one arm drifts downward.

Speech difficulty: Speech may be slurred or difficult to understand. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, and check if they have trouble speaking or understanding.

Time to call emergency services: If you observe any of these signs, it’s important to call emergency services immediately. Time is crucial in getting prompt medical attention for a stroke.

In addition to the FAST signs, other possible signs and symptoms of a stroke include:

Sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body.
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination.
Sudden severe headache, confusion with no known cause.
It’s important to note that not everyone experiencing a stroke will have all of these.
Manifestations, and symptoms may vary depending on the type and location of the stroke.

Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, referred to as hypertension, stands as the foremost recognized risk factor for stroke. Blood pressure denotes the force exerted by blood against the arterial walls during circulation throughout the body, propelled by the heart’s rhythmic contractions. Typical blood pressure registers approximately 120/80. Blood pressure consistently exceeding 140/90 signifies hypertension. Hypertension imposes strain on arteries across the body, including those supplying the brain, intensifying the heart’s workload to sustain blood flow. Several mechanisms link high blood pressure to stroke:

It weakens blood vessel integrity, rendering them more vulnerable.
It accelerates the progression of common heart diseases.
It precipitates the detachment of blood clots or plaques from arterial walls, potentially obstructing brain arteries.

High blood pressure corresponds to an increased risk of stroke. Understanding the exact cause of high blood pressure often proves elusive. Nonetheless, several risk factors have been associated with its development:

Family history of high blood pressure
Advancing age (blood pressure tends to rise with age).
Higher prevalence among men compared to women.
Excess weight or obesity.
Excessive alcohol consumption
Smoking
Diabetes
Sedentary lifestyle
High-sodium diet

Regular checking of blood pressure is important. Controlling blood pressure is achievable through lifestyle modifications, especially through regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight. Following a stroke, it’s imperative for individuals to take minimal dose of blood pressure-lowering medication, even if their blood pressure appears within the normal range. Lowering blood pressure significantly diminishes the risk of stroke.

Diabetes Mellitus

Our bodies rely on insulin, a hormone, to convert sugar from food into energy. In type 1 diabetes, the organ(pancreas)produces little or no insulin leading to high blood sugar levels. In Type 2 diabetes the body doesn’t control or use blood sugar properly. This impaired sugar absorption can lead to the buildup of fatty deposits or clots on blood vessel walls over time. Left untreated or undiagnosed, these clots may obstruct or narrow brain blood vessels, triggering a stroke.

Individuals with diabetes are also predisposed to high blood pressure, higher stroke risk further.

Factors that raise the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes include:

Advancing age, particularly over 55
Being over 45 with high blood pressure
Being over 45 and overweight
Having a family history of diabetes
Managing diabetes involves maintaining blood sugar levels within recommended parameters.
Good management of diabetes mellitus involves a combination of healthy diet and regular exercise besides drugs.

Higher cholesterol levels, referred to as Hypercholesterolemia, contribute significantly to blood vessel disease, a common precursor to stroke. Cholesterol, a pliable, fatty substance, is both produced by the body and absorbed from certain foods like yolk of eggs, meats, and dairy products. A diet rich in saturated fats, particularly those from animal sources, is the primary culprit behind high cholesterol levels, although genetic factors can also play a role.

Cholesterol exists in two forms:

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), containing less protein and more cholesterol often termed “bad” cholesterol, accumulates on artery walls, contributing to plaque formation(atherosclerosis)
.High-density lipoprotein (HDL), mobilizing cholesterol to the liver where it is then removed known as “good” cholesterol.
The ratio of HDL to LDL cholesterol serves as a critical indicator of stroke risk. Higher levels of HDL correspond to a reduced risk, whereas increased LDL levels raise the risk.

A balanced diet including unsaturated edible oil, fresh vegetables, fruit, whole grain and regular physical activity are beneficial in lowering blood cholesterol and risk of stroke. Refrain from smoking, limit alcohol consumption and maintain a healthy weight.