India reports 1.25 million new stroke cases annually; younger adults increasingly affected: CARE specialists
Hyderabad, July 21 (TNT): India records an estimated 1.25 million new stroke cases every year, with the incidence rising steadily over the past three decades due to increasing prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, tobacco use, stress, inadequate sleep, unhealthy lifestyles and an ageing population, specialists at CARE Hospitals said on the occasion of World Brain Day.
The specialists said an increasing number of younger adults are suffering strokes, while delayed recognition of symptoms and late arrival at hospitals continue to reduce the effectiveness of treatment in neurological emergencies.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, neurological disorders have become the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting more than 3.4 billion people—over 40 per cent of the global population—and accounting for more than 11 million deaths every year.
Marking this year’s World Brain Day theme, “Brain Health: Access for All,” neurologists at CARE Hospitals stressed the need for greater public awareness, early diagnosis and timely access to specialised neurological care to reduce the growing burden of brain disorders in India.
The specialists said many patients seek medical attention only after developing paralysis, loss of consciousness, repeated seizures, severe speech impairment or sudden vision loss, by which time critical treatment opportunities may already have been lost.
Dr S.K. Jaiswal, Clinical Director and Head of Neurology at CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, said delayed recognition of neurological emergencies remains one of the biggest challenges.
“We are increasingly seeing younger patients with stroke and other neurological disorders. Many people ignore persistent headaches, sudden weakness, numbness, slurred speech, unexplained seizures, dizziness or vision changes, assuming they are caused by stress or fatigue. In stroke, every minute matters because delays can permanently damage the brain,” he said.
Dr Jaiswal said effective control of blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol, along with regular exercise, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, stress management, avoidance of tobacco and moderation in alcohol consumption, remain the most effective ways to reduce the risk of stroke and other neurological disorders.
Senior Consultant Neuro and Spine Surgeon Dr Mohammed Imran said advances such as MRI imaging, neuronavigation systems, operating microscopes, minimally invasive neurosurgery and specialised neurocritical care have significantly improved outcomes for patients with brain tumours, traumatic brain injuries, hydrocephalus and other complex neurological disorders.
He said these technologies can save lives only when patients reach appropriate healthcare facilities without delay.
Emphasising the urgency of stroke treatment, Dr Imran said nearly 1.9 million brain cells are lost every minute during an untreated stroke and described the first 4.5 hours after the onset of symptoms as the “golden window”, during which timely treatment can prevent permanent disability and improve survival.
The specialists advised people to seek immediate medical attention if they experience sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, sudden vision loss, severe headache, loss of balance, unexplained seizures, persistent headaches accompanied by vomiting or visual disturbances, or sudden confusion and memory changes.
They urged the public to give brain health the same priority as heart health, saying early recognition of symptoms and prompt treatment remain the key to reducing disability and saving lives.
TNT TS
