Abu Dhabi - In the UAE, around 8,000-10,000 people suffer from stroke every year.
Published: Tue 23 Oct 2018, 9:00 PM
Last updated: Tue 23 Oct 2018, 11:14 PM
Doctors in the UAE are urging people to take a closer look at their lifestyle habits that may trigger stroke, the country's second leading cause of disability, next to road accidents.
Ahead of World Stroke Day on October 29, neurologists told Khaleej Times that they are concerned over the rising number of stroke cases in the UAE, particularly among young people.
Dr Shabeer Nellikode, managing director, founder and consultant neurologist, Universal Hospitals and Clinics, said cerebrovascular accidents (stroke) had become a common disease among patients under the age of 40, and had even hit patients who were in their mid to late 20s.
"The incidents of stroke are increasing and we are concerned because we have a lot of stroke cases among the young now, with many patients below the age of 40."
He explained that a stroke is caused by the interruption of the blood supply to the brain, often due to a blood vessel bursting or blocked by a clot, cutting off the supply of oxygen and nutrients.
In the UAE, around 8,000-10,000 people suffer from stroke every year, said Dr Halprashanth DS, consultant for neurology, Burjeel Hospital.
"More than 50 per cent of these patients are younger than 50 years of age," he said, adding that he had recently received a 23-year-old man who suffered from a stroke.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 50 per cent of the stroke patients do not live past the first year after diagnosis.
There are an estimated 17 million cases of stroke across the world every year and more than 6.5 million people around the world die each year from the disease.
It is estimated that stroke-related deaths in the Middle East will double by the year 2030. Moreover, approximately 100 new strokes occur per every 100,000 population in the UAE. One in six people will develop stroke in their lifetime, while one in five women will also develop the disease. As for the demographics, Dr Halprashanth said that "women have a higher chance of developing stroke than men".
Dr Nellikode pointed out that it is crucial to identify the warning signs early to increase the patient's chances of survival.
He added that some of the most important causes of stroke are hypertension and diabetes; therefore, stroke can occur due to cardiac problems, which have been triggered by an unhealthy lifestyle and poor dietary choices.
The founder of Universal Hospitals said people should take a step back when faced with stress, whether it is work-related or family-related.
"Stress, after some time, can increase the blood pressure and it is an indicating factor for stroke."
He said his hospital receives around 80 full-blown stroke cases a year, with an average age of 50.
Dr Nellikode advises people to consult with a doctor if they have persistent headaches and recurring incidents of loss of balance or loss of consciousness, as these are major red flags.
'Although life-threatening, stroke is preventable'
Stroke may have become too common in the UAE and elsewhere in the world; however, doctors say it is largely preventable.
"Eighty per cent of strokes can be prevented if people simply take care of themselves," said Dr Halprashanth DS, a consultant for neurology, Burjeel Hospital. Diabetes, hypertension, lack of exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption are major risk factors, which are similar to those for heart attacks.
Dr Derk Krieger, chief of neurology, Mediclinic City Hospital, Dubai, pointed out that a huge chunk of the stroke cases could be attributed to sedentary lifestyles.
"Stroke is a leading concern in the UAE and it is increasing among younger people because of the sedentary lifestyle and stress," Dr Krieger said. Eating healthier, getting active, taking some time to relax and unwind, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle all help in reducing one's chances of suffering from a stroke.
Dr Krieger said the overall mortality of a stroke is around 15 per cent; however, the untreated disability is approximately 50 per cent of all cases.
He also warned that it is time-sensitive, adding: "You only have a few hours to act on a stroke."
"People need to diagnose themselves and act appropriately. If someone has a weakness in one side for instance, it is urgent to get them into the hospital quickly - you don't have time to sleep it over."
Changing unhealthy lifestyles and dietary choices are critical, as they are causing severe consequences to the health of the population in the country.
"The stroke trend is shifting towards younger people, and they will ultimately have to live longer with the disability," he said.
KT NANO EDIT
Instill good habits when young
Being the second leading cause of death, and the leading cause of long-term disability, the incidence of stroke is all the more dangerous because it can happen at any age. The aim should be to prevent it, and lifestyle changes is the way out. Better eating habits and physical activity gain importance and they should be inculcated from a young age.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com
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