On 5th March, 2022, Seniors Today hosted its weekly Health Live Webinar. And our guest speaker for the week was Dr Sunandan Basu who spoke on Strokes and Neurological Concerns for Seniors.
Dr Sunandan Basu is Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon, Neurologist and Spine Surgeon at Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Mukundapur, Kolkata and has an experience of 23 years. Besides Neurosurgery he has special interest in Functional and Complex Spine. He completed MBBS from Medical College, Calcutta in 1991, FRCS – Neurosurgery from Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland School of Medicine in 1998 and EANS from European Association of Neurosurgeons in 2008.
A stroke is a cerebrovascular accident.
The cause for a stroke can many:
- Age
- Post covid, the incidence of patients suffering from stroke has increased
- Comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes. And these can both be avoided by making changes in your lifestyle at a younger age. Get your blood sugar tested at least once every 3-4 months.
- Inadequate diet and exercise
- Your drinking and smoking habits also predispose you to stroke
Head injuries do not have anything to do with a stroke. But it also depends on the type of head injury as well.
Hypertension is one of the most common causes for stroke. You should check your blood pressure at least once a week if you’re a known hypertensive.
A right handed person can present with left sided weakness and loss of speech control.
If you are someone who is recovering from a stroke or have had one in the past, It is important that you regularly exercise and keep up with your physiotherapy and physical training. It is also important that you stay connected to your friends and family while you’re on this journey. Do not isolate yourself.
There has been a steady increase in the number of cases of stroke over the past few years.
Well controlled diabetes helps drastically reduce your risk of developing a stroke.
Take your green leafy vegetables, banana, fruits, coconut and coconut water.
You can also take your multivitamins such as Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, Zinc, methyl cobalamin
If you are on anti hypertensive medications, you will have to take your medicines regularly. And only after careful observation and monitoring should your doctor, and only your doctor decide if you can or cannot stop your medicines.
