Stroke is a cerebrovascular disease.
According to WHO, the definition of stroke is a condition where clinical signs develop rapidly in the form of focal and global neutrologic deficits, which can be severe and last for 24 hours or more and or can cause death, without any other obvious cause other than vascular.
Stroke is the death of brain tissue (cerebral infarction) that occurs due to reduced blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Stroke can be ischemic (blockage) or bleeding (hemorrhagic). Without blood, the brain will not get oxygen and nutrients, so the cells in the affected brain area will soon die.
Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Cushing Neuroscience Institute Manhasset, Igor Rybinnik, MD, said that public awareness to understand stroke is still minimal. This resulted in many misunderstandings. Therefore, let's review in full some of the following myths and facts about stroke.
- Myth: Stroke is only experienced by parents
Fact: It is undeniable, age is one of the risk factors for stroke. The risk increases 2-fold when someone is over 55 years old. However, keep in mind that age is not the only risk factor, there are many other risk factors, such as lifestyle, lack of exercise, consuming too much junk food allows a person to have a stroke at a younger age.
- Myth: If Stroke Symptoms Disappear, You Don't Need to See a Doctor
Fact: Symptoms of a temporary stroke are known as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). This is a major warning sign of stroke and needs serious treatment.
- Myth: Stroke is not a hereditary (genetic) disease
Fact: Having a history of stroke in your family increases your chances of having a stroke.
- Myth: Strokes can't be cured
Fact: The most common type of stroke is an ischemic stroke (a stroke resulting from reduced blood supply to the brain due to a clot). Acute ischemic stroke can be treated with a therapy of clot-breaking thrombolytic agents. However, the benefits of this therapy depend on time.
- Myth: Strokes only happen to heart sufferers
Fact: Stroke is a "Brain Attack", which is a brain attack that can happen to anyone. Patients with heart, diabetes, and hypertension have a higher risk.
- Myth: Strokes can't be prevented
Fact: 80% of this disease begins with risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. All of this can be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle, such as managing your diet, not smoking, exercising diligently, and much more.
- Myth: Doing needling in the ear area, fingers and toes
Fact: Stroke occurs due to blockage or rupture of blood vessels in the brain, not in the peripheral blood vessels of other limbs. Performing needling on limbs carries a risk of infection if the needle is not sterile.
- Myth: Strokes and seizures are the same condition
Fact: Seizures and stroke are two different neurological disorders. Stroke is a condition that occurs due to lack of blood supply or bleeding in the brain. Meanwhile, seizures can be caused by physical changes, behavior or due to abnormal and excessive electrical discharges in the brain. Seizures can also occur as a result of a stroke.
- Myth: A runny mouth (pelo) is considered the result of magic , so you seek treatment from a shaman
Fact: A runny nose (pelo) is one of the early symptoms of a stroke that must be taken to the hospital immediately to be treated immediately.
- Myth: Stroke recovery time is short
Fact: Stroke recovery takes a long time, if treatment is not carried out properly and regularly it can result in permanent disability.
Those are some myths and facts about stroke that you need to know. By knowing the myths and facts above, we can also prevent strokes in ourselves and our families. If you are already experiencing symptoms of a stroke, namely one arm feels weak so you can't move it, has difficulty speaking, one side of your face looks down, then immediately take it to a trusted hospital to get first aid.
Article reviewed by dr. Dewanta Sembiring, Sp. S (Neurologist at EMC Sentul Hospital).