17 Aug
Home

What to Avoid When Someone is Having a Stroke?

Stroke is often known as a silent killer because it can happen without any warning and remains as one of the leading causes of death and disability around the world. When someone experiences a stroke, there is an immediate stop of the blood supply to the brain. The blood flow stops because a blood vessel ruptures or there is a blockage in a blood vessel. It is a deadly instance because people can have a stroke and not know about it, leading to a permanent damage in the brain. Stroke is a severe medical condition that requires immediate medical intervention. We at Max Healthcare have a dedicated centre of neurosciences and the best neurologist in Delhi for stroke treatment.

Stroke can be life-threatening and can even lead to permanent disability. There are certain essential things that a person suffering from stroke or the ones near them must follow in case of such an instance.

Here are things to avoid when someone is having a stroke:

Do not Let the patient Go to Sleep

It is important not to let the person who’s experiencing a stroke to go to sleep. People who have a stroke usually feel sleepy, and all that happens suddenly without any warning signs. Stroke treatment is time sensitive and letting a person sleep can be life-threatening. Even if the person is refusing to visit a hospital, it is important to call an ambulance and take them before any considerable damage.

Do not Drive them to the hospital

It is never advisable to drive a stroke patient to the hospital and never let the person drive themselves as stroke can impair the ability to drive safely. Always call an ambulance whenever someone is a having a stroke. Ambulances are equipped with necessary life-saving equipment, drugs and healthcare professionals who can immediately save the life of the patient. Emergency responders can start life-saving treatment as soon as they reach the patient which can help minimise damage.

Refrain from giving the patient anything to Eat or Drink

It is better to avoid eating or drinking when the person is experiencing a stroke. Since a stroke can cause muscle weakness throughout the body and can even lead to paralysis, a person suffering from a stroke can choke on food, water and have difficulty in swallowing.

Do not Give Them Any Medication

Do not self-medicate the person having a stroke. Usually, people believe that giving aspirin will help, but it does not because it is not always a blood clot that causes a stroke. It can be caused by a ruptured blood vessel and giving aspirin in such a situation will make the bleeding worse. To maximise chances of survival, it is essential to call an ambulance right away.

The points mentioned above are critical and must be followed without fail. A stroke can be deadly and life-threatening, so it is crucial never to delay in seeking medical attention. Most people will wait and observe if the symptoms will improve; however, it is one of worst things to do as it increases the chances of death or disability significantly. Remember, every second count when someone is experiencing a stroke. So, act wisely and fast!

Dr. Manoj Khanal is one of the Best Stroke Specialist in Delhi. With more than 15 years of experience, Dr Manoj Khanal has treated more than 20k patients.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (AL
17 Aug
Home

Everything You Need to Know About Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS, is a nervous system disease in which the neurons in the brain, as well as spinal cord, are attacked. The function of the neurons is to transfer messages from the brain and spinal cord to the voluntary muscles. The voluntary muscles are the ones which can be controlled, like in the arms and legs. ALS being a progressive disease can get worse as time passes. As it affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord that control the muscles, the muscles get weaker and, this creates difficulty in walking, talking, eating, and even breathing. One should visit a brain hospital as soon as these symptoms start to appear.

Symptoms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Some of the earliest signs of ALS include:

  • Constant tripping and falling
  • Difficulty in walking or doing the normal daily activities
  • Weakness in hand or clumsiness
  • Difficulty holding the head up or maintaining a good posture
  • Weakness in leg, feet or ankles
  • Muscle cramps and twitching in arms, tongue, and shoulders
  • Trouble swallowing or slurred speech

Types of ALS

There exist two main types of ALS:

  • Sporadic ALS: This being the most common form of ALS, affects up to 9 percent of individuals diagnosed with the disease. Sporadic means it sometimes happens without an apparent cause.
  • Familial ALS (FALS): This type of ALS runs in families. However, only 5 to 10 percent of individuals with ALS have this type. A faulty gene passes to the children through their parents. If one parent has the ALS gene, each of their children will have a 50 percent chance of inheriting the gene and being diagnosed with the disease.

Causes of ALS

ALS is inherited in 5 to 10 percent of cases, while the remaining cases have no known cause. As per the researchers, these could be the several possible causes of ALS:

  • Chemical Imbalance: Individuals with ALS usually have higher than normal levels of glutamate, which can be toxic to some nerve cells. Glutamate is a chemical messenger present in the brain, near the nerve cells in their spinal fluid.
  • Gene Mutation: Many genetic mutations can lead to inherited ALS, which has almost similar symptoms as the non-inherited form.
  • Protein Mishandling: Mishandled proteins present inside the nerve cells may accumulate which can eventually destroy the nerve cells.
  • Disorganized Immune Response: At times an individual’s immune system starts attacking some their normal cells, which may kill the nerve cells.

Risk Factors for ALS

Some of the established risk factors for ALS are:

  • Heredity: 5 to 10 percent of the individuals with ALS inherited it, which is known as familial ALS.
  • Age: The risk of ALS increases with age and people between the ages of 40 and 60 are more prone to be diagnosed with this disease.
  • Sex: Slightly more males than females develop ALS before the age of 65. This sex difference tends to disappear after age 70.
  • Genetics: There exist certain similarities in the genetic variations of individuals with familial ALS and some individuals with non-inherited ALS. These genetic variations might make individuals more vulnerable to ALS.

Treatment of ALS

Damage done by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cannot be cured by treatments, however; medicines can slow the progression of symptoms, prevent complications and make an individual more independent as well as comfortable. One may require an integrated team of doctors skilled in multiple areas and other healthcare professionals to offer the right care. Doing this may prolong a patient’s survival and improve their quality of life.

Dr. Manoj Khanal is one of the Best ALS Doctor in Delhi. With more than 15 years of experience, Dr Manoj Khanal has treated more than 20k patients.

123