Strokes manifest through a variety of symptoms, typically occurring suddenly and often without warning.
A stroke, medically termed as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is a serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, leading to a deprivation of oxygen and nutrients to brain tissue.
This interruption in blood flow can result from either a blockage in the blood vessels (ischemic stroke) or the rupture of a blood vessel causing bleeding into the brain (haemorrhagic stroke).
Ischemic strokes, caused by blood clots or plaque build-up, account for the majority of stroke cases, approximately 87%. Conversely, haemorrhagic strokes, though less common, are often more severe, occurring when weakened blood vessels rupture and bleed into the brain.
Stroke symptoms
Strokes manifest through a variety of symptoms, typically occurring suddenly and often without warning. These symptoms may include sudden weakness or numbness, especially on one side of the body, sudden confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination, and a sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Treatment for strokes may involve medication, surgery, or rehabilitation, tailored to the type and severity of the stroke. Moreover, lifestyle modifications such as adopting a healthy diet, regular exercise, smoking cessation, and managing underlying conditions like hypertension and diabetes play pivotal roles in stroke prevention.
It’s crucial to be aware of the possible health hazards connected to summertime as the temperature rises and the sun beams more intensely. The higher risk of strokes in the summertime is one such concern that is frequently overlooked.
Summer time and Stroke
A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out over the course of a year, from November 2009 to October 2010, in the medical department of the Mymensingh Medical College Hospital in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. According to the study, the summer months had a far higher frequency of ischemic stroke (62.4%) than the winter months (37.8%). Winter saw a much higher frequency of haemorrhagic stroke (62.2%) than summer did (37.6%).
People should take proactive steps to safeguard their health by being aware of the link between summertime and stroke.
Dr. Vinit Banga, Associate Director of Neurology and Head of Neurointervention at BLK MAX Super Speciality Hospital, says that the summertime spike in stroke patients is mostly caused by the heat. Elevated temperatures have the potential to cause dehydration, which is a major stroke risk factor. Dehydration causes the blood to thicken, which makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood and raises the possibility of blood clots, which can result in stroke.
Summertime is a great time of year for people to go outside and enjoy sports, hiking, and swimming. Exercise is good for your health in general, but sudden or vigorous physical activity, especially in the heat, can strain your heart and raise your blood pressure, which increases your risk of stroke, especially if you already have a medical condition.
Although the body needs sunlight to synthesise vitamin D, prolonged sun exposure without adequate protection can cause heat-related disorders including heatstroke, which in turn can cause strokes. It’s critical to strike a balance between enjoying the sun and taking the required safety measures, such using sunscreen, looking for cover, and drinking plenty of water.
Take away
Summertime is often associated with greater pollen and air pollution counts, which can worsen inflammatory and respiratory ailments. According to research, because air pollution causes inflammation and oxidative stress in the cardiovascular system, it may potentially raise the risk of stroke.
People should place a high priority on staying hydrated, avoiding extended exposure to intense heat, and taking breaks during outdoor activities in order to reduce their risk of stroke during the summer.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which includes a balanced diet, frequent exercise, and the management of underlying medical disorders like diabetes and hypertension, is also crucial.
