Incidence of acute stroke among diabetics, elderly patients rise during Ramazan

Rawalpindi : Every year in Ramazan, the number of patients with acute stroke or paralysis registers a significant increase at the healthcare facilities and it is observed that the majority of these patients are those having diabetes, hypertension or heart disease.

Experts say that the people living with risk factors of acute stroke including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, family history of stroke or those who are obese or smokers should take extra care in diet and particularly the fluid intake while fasting for a month in the holy month of Ramazan. Chronic patients and elderly people should take proper advice from a qualified physician while opting for fasting in Ramazan.

Many experts believe that most of the patients reaching hospitals with the complaints of acute stroke or paralysis in Ramazan are those who have previously been suffering from diabetes hypertension or heart disease and majority of these patients are aged above 60 years.

Experts say that the patients living with risk factors of acute stroke must avoid dehydration while fasting as it causes an increase in viscosity of blood that results in sluggish flow and clot formation. Diabetics and hypertensive patients have diseased blood vessels that increase the risk of clot formation. The clot can travel into the brain and block major arteries of the brain causing paralysis of one side of the body, slurring or loss of speech, visual defects and loss of balance coordination. In some patients, only vertigo and dizziness occur.

Older patients especially over 60 years of age with diabetes and or hypertension should be extremely careful while fasting in Ramazan. Such people should take at least three litres of fluids and water every day. They should take blood thinners like aspirin and cholesterol lowering medicines regularly after taking advice from their physicians. They must check their blood sugar and blood pressure levels on a daily basis and the most important thing is regular follow-up with the physician.

It is important that acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or paralysis is a devastating disease that could completely destroy a person’s life. It is prevalent in Pakistan and has equal frequency in both genders above 65 years of age.

According to experts, immobility and lack of activity result in sluggish blood flow and higher incidence of stroke in elderly people. The best exercise is to walk everyday for at least 30 minutes. It not only helps in prevention of stroke but also better controls blood pressure and sugar levels.