*Patients can fully recover if TPA given on time: Dr Renjen
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 28: Indrapr-astha Apollo Hospitals provides state of the art facilities for the patients of stroke and have also initiated a special stroke package, Stroke Clinic, Stroke ICU and a dedicated Stroke Rehabilitation Programme.
This was disclosed today by Dr PN Renjen, Senior Consultant, Neurosciences and stroke specialist, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals. He said that the department of Neurology of Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals has been regularly organizing Stroke Awareness Programmes on a monthly basis and by distributing stroke related literature to the general public.
Throwing light on the lifestyle disorders amongst the local people and devastating conditions caused due to stroke, Dr Renjen said that every year an estimated 16 lakh cases of strokes are reported in India alone and more than 6 lakh Indians die due to stroke annually.
Talking about its causes, Dr Renjen said, “Stroke kills brain cells due to lack of oxygen in brain and causes more disability in adults than any other disease. After a stroke some people cannot walk and have difficulty in vision or in speech, depending on what part of the brain was hit and how large an area has been affected. Up to 80% of strokes can be preventable through lifestyle changes or drugs. Some risk factors, including personal or family history of the disease cannot be changed”.
Dr Renjen said, “We have agents such as TPA (a powerful drug), which if given within 3 hours of the stroke, increases the chances of full recovery, by as much as 33%. But it must be given within 3 hours from the onset of symptoms. If it is given later, the risk of further damage outweighs the benefits. But first the patient has to get to the hospital for therapy”.