Palms Geriatric Home observes world stroke day

Oct 31, 2019 News

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in collaboration with the Palms Geriatric Home on Monday held a stroke fair with the main focus being on Nutritional Health. The event, which was held at Muneshwar’s store on Water Street, Georgetown was aimed at raising awareness about the plight persons endure when affected by stroke.

Nutritionist, Abigail Caleb, displays a selection of meals for someone affected or recovering from a stroke

Stroke is described as a sudden interruption in the blood supply of the brain. Most strokes are caused by an abrupt blockage of arteries leading to the brain. Because stroke occurs rapidly and requires immediate treatment, it is also called a brain attack.
Speaking at the fair were Head of the Audiology Department at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Ruth Quaico; Physiotherapist, Vanessa Wickham and Nutritionist, Abigail Caleb.
World Stroke Day is observed annually on October 29. This year, the theme was “Proper nutrition speedy recovery”. At the fair health professionals emphasised on the importance of support to stroke survivors and raising awareness about basic needs of stroke survivors and their care givers.
In an in-depth explanation on how nutrition plays a vital role in ways one can be affected by a stroke, Nutritionist, Abigail Caleb, stated that persons who consume fatty or sugary foods are at a high risk of having a stroke.
“Most of us tend to drink our sugar…so what I want to do today is bring awareness about the amount of sugar in a diet and how to lessen that. Too much sugar tends to trigger or stimulate fat production in the body, causing overweight or obesity, which subsequently leads to clogged arteries. A clogged artery or arteries is what cause a stroke.”
“Long ago people used to believe that stroke only affected old people but that is not true because a significant number of young persons, between the age 16 and 25, are being affected too. And I believe that if such an awareness is raise in Guyana affected persons and caregivers of affected persons will do better,” she said.
At the event, persons were able to do blood pressure and hypertension testing, among other services.
The effects of a stroke depend on which part of the brain is injured, and how severely it is injured. Stroke may cause sudden weakness, loss of sensation, or difficulty with speaking, seeing, or walking. Since different parts of the brain control different areas and functions, it is usually the area immediately surrounding the stroke that is affected.
Sometimes people with stroke have a headache, but stroke can also be completely painless. It is very important to recognise the warning signs of stroke and to get immediate medical attention if they occur.

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