Stroke is becoming increasingly common and younger. However, many people have misconceptions about stroke, which can delay treatment and lead to serious consequences, or even death.
Stroke Is No Longer an Old Person's Disease
"Many people still think that stroke is a disease for the elderly, over 60 years old," said Dr. Pham Van Cuong of the Interventional Neuroradiology Department at the Central Military Hospital 108 in Hanoi. "But in recent years, the number of young people hospitalized for stroke has been increasing, accounting for about 20-30% (under 50 years old). Some patients as young as 12 years old have been hospitalized for stroke due to cerebral vascular malformations."
According to Dr. Cuong, the most common causes of stroke in young people are abnormalities in the cerebral blood vessels, such as vascular malformations that can rupture and cause bleeding in the brain, or occlusion of blood vessels causing infarction in patients with progressive narrowing of brain vessels (Moyamoya's disease).
Another cause is a problem with the heart, such as arrhythmia or heart valve disease, which can create blood clots in the heart. These clots can travel to the brain and cause a stroke when they block a blood vessel.
"The third cause, which is very alarming, is unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and consuming fast food," said Dr. Cuong. "These can lead to early dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obesity."
The fourth cause is rarer and can occur in women who take oral contraceptives, have abortions, or give birth, leading to an increased risk of blood clots and cerebral venous thrombosis.
Dr. Cuong also warned of common misconceptions about stroke that can lead to missed opportunities for treatment and serious consequences, including death.
Misconception 1: Cupping When Stroke Occurs
When a patient suffers a stroke, they may experience symptoms such as numbness or paralysis in the limbs, speech difficulties, dizziness, or headaches. These symptoms often lead people to believe that the patient is experiencing a cold and attempt to treat it with cupping. However, cupping has no effect on stroke and only wastes valuable time.
Misconception 2: Acupuncture in the Fingertips
Another common misconception is that pricking the fingertips to draw blood can help a stroke patient. However, this will not save the patient's life and can actually worsen the condition. The pain from pricking can increase the patient's blood pressure.
Misconception 3: Self-Administering Traditional Chinese Medicine
People with a history of hypertension or stroke often keep expensive traditional Chinese medicines on hand as a preventative measure or to use when needed. However, for stroke, taking these medications incorrectly can be ineffective and even harmful.
Misconception 4: Waiting for the Patient to Stabilize Before Seeking Medical Attention
In severe cases of stroke, where the patient becomes unconscious, it is crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible. However, most people fear that moving the patient will cause more bleeding and death. They wait for the patient to stabilize first, which is a serious mistake and can lead to missed opportunities for timely treatment.
Misconception 5: Spreading False Beliefs About Stroke Treatment
According to Dr. Cuong, two of the most common false beliefs are that macrobiotics can "cure" stroke and that practicing certain exercises can treat the disease.
Misconception 6: Mistaking Stroke for Other Conditions
Mild stroke symptoms can mimic those of Bell's palsy, leading many people to seek inappropriate treatment. If you experience symptoms such as facial distortion, slurred speech, or drooling, it is important to seek medical attention immediately so that a physician can determine the cause.
Misconception 7: Waiting to See if Symptoms Improve on Their Own
This mistake is common in people who experience mild stroke symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, or numbness in the limbs. They may assume that if they rest for a while, they will recover.
The Golden Hour for Stroke Treatment
According to Dr. Cuong, the golden hour for stroke treatment varies from 3 to 6 hours, depending on the method used. For patients who arrive within 3 to 4.5 hours after the stroke, doctors will use fibrinolytic drugs to dissolve blood clots.
Additionally, another method involves inserting a special device into the affected area to remove the blood clot, but this procedure can only be performed within 6 hours of the stroke.
"After this time, the brain has already suffered significant damage and the above interventions are no longer indicated," said Dr. Cuong. "At that point, the brain is also unable to recover because with a blockage in the cerebral blood vessels, 2 million brain cells die with each passing minute."
Summary
Stroke is becoming increasingly common and younger, with unhealthy lifestyle habits playing a significant role. Many people have misconceptions about stroke treatment, which can lead to missed opportunities for timely intervention and serious consequences. It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect someone is having a stroke.