A stroke is a major health problem that can have devastating consequences on your life. President of the Neurological Association of South Africa (NASA) Dr Patty Francis joins this episode of Sisters Without Shame to share her insights on causes and treatment of stroke.
As the world marks World Stroke Week from 28 October to 3 November 2022, awareness about the symptoms and importance of treatment is crucial, says Francis.
“A stroke is a sudden vascular problem in the brain which causes a sudden loss of function – if it is not appropriately and timeously treated, that loss of function can become permanent and in the worst-case scenario, can result in death.”
‘Brain under attack’
Francis has a special interest in stroke treatment and is part of an acute stroke service at Umhlanga Hospital. Her other special interests are headaches, multiple sclerosis (MS,) Parkinson’s disease, peripheral neuropathies, and dementia.
Francis explains that strokes occur when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, and without blood which carries oxygen, brain cells can be damaged or die.
“For many years we were hoping that the idea of a stroke being a brain attack, like a heart attack, is synonymous with an emergency related to the heart. We were hoping that the notion of brain attack would catch on so that people would become immediately aware that a stroke is a brain emergency.
Due to several reasons that label didn’t catch on and possibly with the burgeoning of mental illness, probably isn’t the kindest or easiest to understand when we say that it is a brain attack.”
What’s diet got to do with it?
The most common cause of stroke throughout the world is hypertension.
“High blood pressure at certain elevations can cause haemorrhage. It silently causes damage to blood vessels which eventually overtime will result in ischemic strokes.”
With respect to treating hypertension, diet is crucial, says Francis.
“There are genetic factors as well and that is why people are treated with medications together with dietary modifications for cholesterol lowering. Diabetes is also an additional risk factor and there is an epidemic of type two diabetes throughout the world.”
On this episode Francis also unpacks:
- Why children are also at risk for having strokes.
- Different types of strokes.
- Silent symptoms of strokes and how you can identify them.
- Why time is of the essence in the treatment of a stroke.
Listen to the full interview on Sisters Without Shame
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