World Day against ICTUS, wins with prevention and adequate rehabilitation



Cerebral stroke: a story like (not) many

When Paolo thinks back to that Sunday morning of 5 years ago he feels no anger or pain, on the contrary, the urgency is to embrace his wife Rita and his daughter Alba, now a teenager.

That stroke that everyone thought would upset the life of an entire family today allows Paolo to drive and continue working (albeit not as before) in the company that fortunately bet on his recovery and his rehabilitation.

A stroke that has not clipped his wings or spoiled dreams, far from it: a new hobby, the theater, is both a cure and an unexpected passion, a tool to get back into the game and make his story a testimony for the others .

Paolo today is 51 years old and considers himself a lucky man, his willpower in rehabilitative care followed by excellent professionals and the constant support of those who are with him every day have allowed him in a short time to take giant steps and resume in own life.

The World Day against cerebral Ictus, on October 29th, serves precisely this purpose: to open our eyes to the third cause of death , first of disability and second of dementia in our country affecting about 200, 000 people every year: a phenomenon in constant growth which affects younger and younger people. In fact, there are numerous initiatives aimed at raising awareness on this issue and spreading a real culture of prevention.

For example, some doctors who are part of the iDoctors.it service participate in World Brain Stroke Day by offering the possibility to undergo checks at a discounted price.

A day therefore, which at the same time wants to reaffirm not only that it is possible to survive and regain autonomy after a stroke, but above all the importance of listening and recognizing the alarm bells that can save a life. Awareness and control of one's health are the first true forms of prevention.

Cerebral stroke: risk factors and prevention

First of all it is better to clarify what is a stroke. According to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO) it is "a cerebro-vascular lesion due to the interruption of blood flow to the brain caused by an obstruction or rupture of an artery".

Essential for prevention is an adequate knowledge of the risk factors that, alone or, even more, in combination among them, increase the possibility of incurring a stroke: arterial hypertension, obesity, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, smoking and some cardiac and vascular anomalies. Even having already had a heart attack predisposes you to a higher risk .

Monitoring blood values (in particular blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, blood glucose and cholesterol levels) through periodic checks and the possibility of receiving medical assistance and appropriate care in a short time are a valuable help.

Cerebral stroke: symptoms, emergency and rehabilitation

A strong and strange headache accompanied by vomiting and the blockage of one part of the mouth: these are the most common symptoms and they are the same that in a short time scared Paolo and prompted Rita to accompany her husband immediately in a specialized center in stroke treatments : time in these cases is really everything and the first 3-4 hours are decisive for the consequences that these episodes can cause . This is why Paolo never stops repeating "If it hadn't been for my wife's reactivity and resourcefulness ...".

Rehabilitation can lead to important progress if performed diligently and if undertaken even in the acute phase. In fact, the Italian Association for the fight against cerebral ictus emphasizes that it is very important "to reduce movement disabilities and improve certain cognitive functions such as attention and language disorders".

And thanks to the tenacity and constant medical monitoring, Paolo managed in a few years to recover some brain functions that would have been lost without adequate training .

Cerebral stroke: the lifestyle

The days continue at a different pace : some changes have become necessary in the everyday life of Paolo and his family, but this will guarantee years of extra life and a degree of autonomy that can weigh less - even economically - on the community.

The indications of the Higher Institute of Health (ISS) provide the good practices to follow after a stroke to avoid relapses:

> Resume a moderate sport activity under medical advice;

> following a varied diet reducing the salt in the foods and avoiding a diet rich in animal fats;

> reduce alcohol consumption and stop smoking;

> monitor risk factors by controlling blood pressure. It is also advisable to check for the presence of atrial fibrillation with specific instruments for this screening.

Alba turned off her dad's last cigarette and threw the package away . Ginger also arrived in the family, a Golden Retriever that keeps everyone very busy and, of course, contributes a marked change in Paolo 's lifestyle : a walk with the dog every morning and every evening is an antidote to his cardiovascular problems and a extra reason to love each other and find the drive to look ahead.

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