World Stroke Day Observed To Raise Awareness For Survivors

World Stroke Day was observed on October 29 on Monday, throughout the world including Pakistan to highlight the high rates of stroke, raise awareness of the prevention and treatment of the condition and ensure better care and support for survivors.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Oct, 2018 ) :World Stroke Day was observed on October 29 on Monday, throughout the world including Pakistan to highlight the high rates of stroke, raise awareness of the prevention and treatment of the condition and ensure better care and support for survivors.

Around 80 million people living in the world today have experienced a stroke and over 50 million survivors live with some form of permanent disability as a result. While for many, life after stroke won't be quite the same, with the right care and support living a meaningful life is still possible.

The theme for World Stroke Day 2018 is 'UpAgainAfterStroke' Support for life after stroke. This year, the theme focuses on offering support to stroke survivors and raising awareness about basic needs of stroke survivors and caregivers.

Strokes are responsible for more deaths annually than those attributed to AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined.

Many organizations across the world honour stroke survivors, their families, and caregivers on World Stroke Day. The day also honours people who have made scientific advances in treating stroke related illnesses, private news channel reported.

Activities include fun runs, awareness workshops, and free stroke screening tests. Awards were presented to recognize people who work towards treating and preventing stroke.

Every six seconds, someone somewhere around the globe dies from the disease.

Stroke is a condition where the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, leading to oxygen starvation, brain damage and loss of function. It can affect mobility and speech, among other aspects.

It's a medical emergency and can happen to anyone at any time, requiring prompt treatment. Early treatment can help minimize brain damage and potential complications. There are currently 80 million stroke survivors in the world and 50 million of those have been left with some form of permanent disability.

When a stroke happens, urgent diagnosis and treatment are required to lessen the damage. Symptoms include a patient's face dropping on one side, an inability to keep both arms lifted and slurred speech. In most cases, strokes can be treated and prevented.

Treating a stroke depends on what type of stroke a patient has had and which area of the patient's brain has been affected. Strokes are most commonly treated using medications which prevent and dissolve blood clots, reduce blood pressure and cut cholesterol levels.

Some patients may also require surgery to have blood clots removed. More recently there has been a number of medical devices created with the aim of improving diagnosis and treatment for stroke patients.