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World Brain Day 2023: The global occasion of World Brain Day is a significant event dedicated to raising awareness about brain health and disorders. The brain is one of the most important parts of our body that helps in critical thinking and analysing situations. Also known as International Brain Day, it is celebrated every year on July 22 to create awareness about brain-related illnesses and disorders. The theme for World Brain Day 2023 is “Brain Health and Disability: Leave No One Behind”, and is an initiative to address brain health impairments.

What Is Brain Stroke?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, brain stroke happens when there is a blockage in the blood circulation in the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain breaks and leaks. The burst or blockage prevents blood and oxygen from reaching the brain tissue. Without oxygen, the tissues and cells in the brain are damaged and die in no time leading to many symptoms.

Dr Gaurish Kenkre, General Manager and Center Head, Atharv Ability, Neuro Rehabilitation Centre exclusively explained to Jagran English some important warning signs of a stroke that should not be ignored and immediate medical attention should be sought.

Warning Signs Of Stroke

According to Dr Kenkre, one can recognise the warning signs of a stroke using the FAST acronym which stands for:

Face Dropping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?

Arm weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech Difficulty: Is speech slurred?

Time: Stroke is an emergency. Every minute counts. Note the time when any of the symptoms first appear and seek medical attention.

While some other common warning signs of stroke according to Dr Kenkre include sudden numbness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body, sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination and sudden severe headache with no known cause.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2021, 1 in 6 deaths from cardiovascular disease was due to stroke. A stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability and it reduces mobility in more than half of stroke survivors age 65 and older.

Who Is At Risk?

The older you are, the more likely you are to have a stroke. The chance of having a stroke about doubles every 10 years after age 55. Although stroke is common among older adults, many people younger than 65 years also have strokes.

 

(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.)

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