Save a life: Know the signs of a stroke

By Rebecca Harshbarger

WHEN Helen Busulwa’s mother had a stroke in March, it started as a severe headache. She asked for painkillers for the headache, then blacked out. She never re-gained consciousness, and is currently brain-dead, cared for by a nurse in her home in Entebbe.

At the time, the family had no idea that she had had a stroke. They put her in a car and drove over a bumpy road to the nearest clinic. They had to wait until the next morning before they could see a doctor who simply diagnosed her with a headache.

When she did not gain consciousness, the woman was transferred to Mulago Hospital, where the nightmare continued.
“They said the person who works at the CT scan was not around, and we would have to wait two days before being attended to,” said Busulwa, a mother of six.

“By the time we got her to the CT scan, she had suffered brain haemorrhage (bleeding). We don’t understand why, but it was the delay in treatment that was the worst. It was such a shock to me when I saw my mother in that state.”

According to Web Md, there are two types of stroke. An ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot that blocks blood flow to the brain.

A haemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding inside the brain. Stroke is among a group of conditions known as cardiovascular diseases — those that involve the heart or blood vessels.

Others include heart disease, heart attack and high blood pressure. High blood pressure is the most important risk factor of stroke.

Currently, Uganda has more equipment and infrastructure to treat stroke and heart-related diseases than before, but there is also more demand for treatment.

This increase is partly because of increased ability of doctors to diagnose the diseases and also changes in diet and exercise patterns.

“There is a changing lifestyle, we are seeing more of the heart diseases that we see in the West,” said Dr. Thomas Mwambu, the president of the Uganda Heart Institute.

“We have more fast-food restaurants and people eating chips, chicken and chaps. Televisions and automatically driven cars have reduced our activity.”
On the other hand, Mwambu says, the traditional diets from the different regions
of the country are heart-friendly.

Traditional foods such as Nakati, dodo, pumpkin, cassava, millet, sorghum, sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre, and protein that protect the heart.

However, due to the high cost of living, many families have to sell most of their produce to buy other commodities and, as a result, become malnourished.
“If we could abide by our traditional diet, it would be one step in controlling stroke,”Mwambu said.

“But we have moved from boiling these foods to frying them. Fatty foods are good for treating malnourished patients, but you need to use healthy fats like those found in groundnuts, simsim and soya.”

Due to the rise in stroke and other heart-related diseases in Uganda, it is important to know the signs and know how to prevent and manage them.
Symptoms of stroke vary from patient to patient.

Some people experience paralysis on one side of the body, while others have their speech and sensory areas affected. One might experience confusion, dizziness and difficulty with walking or one’s balance. The symptoms can also be minor — the first sign could be a small headache.

To prevent and manage stroke, adults should get regular blood pressure check-ups and monitor their personal nutrition and exercise habits.

Studies have found that being moderately to highly active during leisure time significantly reduces the risk of stroke later in life.

The stroke association of the UK says regular physical activity helps to lower blood pressure, and reduce chances of getting the disease.

Tips for a Healthy Heart
Have a yearly blood pressure check-up. Share your family’s health history with your doctor, and any concerns that you might have, since many diseases have a genetic element.

Exercise every week, even if only for 15 to 20 minutes. Aim to exercise three to four times a week, doing exercises such as jogging or swimming that push up your heart and breathing rate.

Know the symptoms of a stroke, and share them with your loved ones. Signs can include: sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, particularly on one side of the body; sudden difficulty with speaking; feeling disoriented or confused; a sudden headache with no cause; difficulty seeing in one or both eyes; dizziness, or difficulty with walking and balance.

Avoid fast foods, or junk foods. Dr. Mwambu recommends Nakati, dodo, pumpkin, cassava, Matooke, millet, sorghum, sweet potatoes and carrots, but emphasises boiling and stewing, rather than deep-frying foods.

Use vegetable oils, such as corn, soybean, or sunflower oil for cooking.