Brain cyst or stroke: Long-term strategies for patients

New Delhi: Stroke is a deadly disease because it leads to more morbidity than mortality. These patients can be divided into 2 groups: minor deficits and independent; dependent for daily needs.

The patients who improved after stroke should consider themselves lucky, and it's like re-birth. They have to change their lifestyle and be strict with their daily routine. They should do regular exercise and have a strict diet pattern. Sleep and meditation are equally important.

Abstinence from smoking and alcohol is imperative. Also, regular visits to treating doctors and daily consumption of prescribed medicines are of utmost importance. In the event of repeat stroke-like symptoms, they should immediately rush to a stroke-ready hospital, which has facilities for CT scan, MRI, and Neurocathlab.

In cases of ischemic stroke, where the blood supply to a part of the brain is suddenly stopped, early intervention can stop the progress of stroke. If the patient comes within 4 and a half hours, the clot-busting injection can be given. If the patient is late or unfit for injection, then a mechanical thrombectomy can be done.

This is done in Neurocathlab, where we reach the blocked artery and open it with the help of a stent retriever or aspiration catheter. If the vessel opens up in the prescribed time, the patient improves quickly. Some patients who are bedridden or dependent on caregivers find it tough to cope up with stress. They need good nursing care, nutrition, physiotherapy, and medicines.

Some patients have stroke due to partial blockage of the carotid artery or any brain vessel. They may require opening these vessels with the help of balloon angioplasty and stent placement. These patients regularly need carotid Doppler, echocardiography.

Some patients suffer from Moya Moya disease and recurring strokes. In such patients, multiple important blood vessels of the brain are blocked and patients need bypass surgery to increase blood flow to the brain.

Stroke can present as sudden onset weakness in limbs or face and speech abnormality. Sometimes, there can be vertigo, imbalance in walking, or vision problems. These symptoms should not be missed, and the patient should be evaluated in detail. MRI brain, CT brain, and angiography of neck vessels and brain are very helpful.

The source of clot or thrombus or emboli can be in the heart, major blood vessels supplying the brain, or blood vessels within the brain. Sometimes, due to injury or sudden neck movements, the artery may rupture and the patient may develop a stroke. These patients need DSA of the brain and might need stent placement or parent vessel occlusion.