| |
New drug for stroke victims
Our Correspondent
Dr Jevaraj D. Pandian talks about stroke at a press
conference in Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, on Wednesday.
— Photo IV |
Ludhiana, May 7
Victims of stroke can be treated with a new drug recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, if it is administered within three hours of the symptoms of the stroke.
A stroke or brain attack occurs when blood circulation to the brain fails. A survey conducted by Dr Jeyaraj D. Pandian, consultant neurologist, CMC Ludhiana, revealed lack of awareness about the stroke symptoms. He presented the study at a meeting of neurologists in the USA last month.The following are the symptoms of stroke:
- Sudden weakness is one side of the body.
- Numbness in one half of the body.
- Difficulty in speaking or understanding speech.
- Irritation in one or both eyes.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance.
- Severe headache with no known cause.
The new drug, if given within three hours of the initial symptoms, increases the chance of recovery by 40 per cent with little or no disability. Since the stroke affects the brain, the person having a stroke might not be able to recognise the symptoms. In such a case a friend or bystander can help in getting the person to hospital. Dr Pandian said a public awareness campaign needed to be launched and warned that aspirin should not be given to a stroke victim till a CT scan has been done. 
|
