WHAT IS A WAKE-UP STROKE, AND WHY THE ELDERLY AND WOMEN NEED TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL
Wake-up stroke is real (Source: Freepik)
Many older people may experience a sort of disbalance and dizziness upon waking up, along with symptoms like difficulty in comprehension, and sudden weakness in the limbs. This condition, a type of stroke, is called wake-up stroke, in which the individual experiences the onset of stroke symptoms upon awakening or during the day "without being aware of any neurological deficits before going to sleep".
Experts suggest that the symptoms of a wake-up stroke are similar to those of any other type of stroke. "These include difficulty speaking, confusion, facial drooping or weakness, numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, and sudden onset of severe headache. It is essential to note that these symptoms can vary depending on the location of the stroke in the brain," said Dr Pankaj Agarwal, senior consultant neurologist and head of the department of neurology, Gleneagles Hospitals Parel Mumbai.
Other symptoms may include sudden weakness in one side of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, vision problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and obesity can increase the risk of stroke. "It is essential to seek immediate medical attention if these symptoms are noticed, as early intervention can prevent further damage," said Dr Agarwal.
Causes
Causes of wake-up strokes can be similar to those of regular strokes, such as blood clots, high blood pressure, or underlying health conditions. According to Dr Agarwal, certain individuals may be more prone to experiencing wake-up strokes, including those with a history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or obesity.
How common is it?
According to neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, wake-up stroke is fairly common; about 1 in 5 strokes are wake-up strokes. "Wake-up strokes are more common in older age as the atrial fibrillation -- irregular and rapid heart rhythm -- becomes higher as we age, among women in winters (information is obtained from epidemiological data- the exact reason is not known). Lacunar strokes (smaller size of a blood clot in the brain) are more common in wake-up strokes," said Dr Kumar.
Here's what happens in your body (Source: Freepik)
Diagnosis
Diagnosis usually involves imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs to determine the extent of brain damage caused by the stroke.
Dr Agarwal elucidated the following:
*An important point to note is that doctors treating stroke should consider that the ‘time of onset’ of the stroke to be the time when the patient went to bed i.e. was last seen normal.
*Another important consideration for doctors treating wake-up stroke is they need to do various sequences of specialised MRI brain scans to judge the exact time of the onset of the stroke as best as possible, because the options for stroke Rx depend highly on the time of onset.
Treatment
Immediate hospitalisation is important for treatment, with thrombolysis or endovascular interventions performed within the window period of 4.5 hours if there are no contraindications, said Dr Rajeev Gupta, director, internal medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi. "Conservative management involves early identification and prevention of complications," said Dr Gupta.
Treatment for wake-up stroke typically involves medications like clot-busting drugs or procedures such as thrombectomy to restore blood flow to the brain. "Rehabilitation therapy may also be necessary to help regain lost motor skills and improve overall quality of life post-stroke," said Dr Agarwal.
Post-stroke care
Individuals at risk must adopt a healthy lifestyle and manage any underlying health conditions to reduce the likelihood of experiencing a wake-up stroke in the future.
Risk prevention
Dr Kumar suggested the following measures:
*Keep BP, blood sugar, and cholesterol within normal limits
*Have regular heart check-up (once a year)
*Keep well hydrated
*Take medicines as advised by doctors to reduce stroke risk.
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2024-04-13T07:08:51Z dg43tfdfdgfd