I have been seeing a lot of young people (below 50) with strokes in the Brain.This is what I discovered.If you are below 50, Don't skip this. PLEASE READ!
Majority of the young people didn't even know they had High Blood pressure. Some that knew they had high blood pressure, they thought I am young , it has gone and stopped their meds.
Another thing i noticed, DIABETES. Many people still don't know their Blood sugar.
Diabetes still remains a big risk for Stroke But how many people know their blood sugar and fat levels? Alarming!!!
One stressful fateful day, perhaps after working, A little headache or not. Boom! They could not lift a side of their body rushed to the hospital. We imaged their brain and found a Bleed or area of brain death (Ischemia).
Some people still don't know that if you have a Family history of a stroke. It is a risk factor. You're a black man and that's an added risk already.
Something we young folks need to watch out.
Alcohol, Cigarettes smoking and in some people substances. A lot of us young people still see these things are big flex but I've seen too many strokes to tell you, It isn't the Flex. A stroke reduces your functionality in a way.
Another thing I noticed with us Younger folks, We don't even know how to recognize a stroke. Use of words like "partial stroke " have made people not see stroke as an Emergency. Nothing is partial. Some still go to pharmacies, churches, etc
For context everyone needs to know.I attached a diagram here. So, if you see any of these symptoms/features, please RUN TO A HOSPITAL. DON'T PRAY!
-Face Dropping
-Arm/Leg Weakness
-Speech Problem
RUN TO A HOSPITAL!!!
You have to understand. The Brain is a very delicate organ. Once blood supply is cut from it. In a matter of minutes it dies. Getting to a hospital on time, allow a huge portion of the brain to be salvage. Not a time for prayers or chatGpt. If the brain dies, it is irreversible.
Another thing I noticed, it is so sad that we don't have enough CT scan/ MRI scan. Some states in Nigeria , someone will have a stroke, need a Brain image and have to travel to another state. It is heartbreaking, many government don't prioritize stroke centers and imaging.
Many people have died because of this Herculean movement. We need more Public and private partnerships to invest in more
CTs and MRIs. This is because Nigeria has one of the highest stroke incidences in Africa. So what are we doing?
How you reduce your incidence of a stroke? Know these symptoms and save your health;
-Eat Healthy
-Check your BP and act accordingly.
-Take your BP and sugar medications regularly.
-Cut down on alcohol consumption and completely stop smoking
-Go for routine health assessment tests and checkups
-Avoid sedentary lifestyles. Move around and exercise
-Know and keep abreast of all the earlier listed RED FLAGS!!!
I do hope more young people can read and share this piece. I am tired of seeing multiple strokes and the cycle continues. Time is Brain. Brain is Time.We can save more people. Please share. You'd be saving a life.
Comments
Post a Comment