Headache After Ischemic Stroke

Headache after Ischemic Stroke

How common is headache after ischemic stroke?

Headache is common in people with ischemic strokes. It can occur at onset of stroke symptoms or following stroke. It affects 6-44% of people suffering from ischemic stroke.

What is the type of headache in this group of people?

Headache is similar to tension-type headache. It is located in back of head and neck regions. It is not very severe. There is no nausea or vomiting. There is no photophobia (increased sensitivity to lights) or phonophobia (increased sensitivity to sounds) either. 

Who have a higher risk of getting headaches after ischemic stroke?

1. Females have a higher risk than males.

2. Those suffering from posterior circulation stroke have a higher risk. 

3. Prevalence is higher in North America and Europe, as compared to Middle East and Asia. 

How can this be treated?

Medicines used for treating tension-type headache can be effective. These include amitriptyline or dothiepin (dosulepin) tablets. 

(Source: Neurology, Jan 7, 2020 issue)

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM
Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad
drsudhirkumar@yahoo.com

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT STROKE

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT STROKE

1. STROKE is a disease that affects:

A. Heart
B. Brain
C. Kidney
D. Lungs

2. Common symptoms of stroke include:

A. severe chest pain
B. Fits or convulsions
C. Paralysis of face, arms, legs, slurred speech
D. Breathing difficulty

3. If someone suffers from stroke at 9 PM,

A. He can go to OPD the next day
B. He should rush to the nearest general physician
C. He should rush to a hospital with 24X7 CT scan and neurologist on call
D. He can try home remedies for the night.

4. Is there a treatment available for patients with stroke, which would minimise disability

A. Yes
B. No

5. Common risk factors for stroke include all the following EXCEPT

A. Diabetes mellitus
B. Hypertension
C. Running on treadmill
D. Smoking

6. Which of the following measures is NOT helpful in preventing a recurrence of stroke in a person who has suffered stroke?

A. Taking Aspirin
B. Controlling BP and sugars,
C. Quitting smoking,
D. Skipping breakfast, if overweight

7. Physiotherapy helps in better and faster recovery of stroke survivors.
A. True
B. False

8. Stroke affects only older people
A. True
B. False

9. Proportion of population that may suffer a stroke in their lifetime

A. 1 in 10
B. 1 in 8
C. 1 in 6
D. 1 in 4

10. Stroke is treated by
A. Neurologist
B. Cardiologist
C. Nephrologist
D. Chest physician

Please go through these questions and answer them. Answers are posted below

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Thank you for going through the questions. Here are the answers:

1. B
Stroke affects brain. It most commonly occurs due to blockage of blood supply to a part of the brain. In some cases, it can also occur due to rupture of a blood vessel.

2. C 
Common symptoms of stroke include sudden onset facial weakness, weakness of arm or leg, slurred speech, loss of vision on one side, imbalance while walking or severe headache.

3. C
Stroke is a medical emergency. The brain tissue can suffer irreversible damage, if not treated within the first four hours. Therefore, the patient should be rushed to a hospital with 24X7 CT scan facility. The treatment is administration of clot-buster therapy under the guidance of a neurologist.

4. A
Clot-buster therapy with tissue plasminogen activator or tenecteplase within the first four and a half hours after stroke onset can minimise disability.

5. C
Running on treadmill is a healthy exercise and protects from stroke.

6. C
Skipping breakfast is an unhealthy habit. Moreover, it does not help in reducing weight.

7. A
Physiotherapy is very helpful in faster recovery of stroke survivors. It should be started as early as possible.

8. B

Stroke predominantly affects older people, however, it can affect all ages, including children.

9. C

Stroke is a common cause of death and disability (along with heart attacks and cancer) in the world, and affects i in 6 people in their lifetime.

10. A
Stroke is a disease of brain and is treated by neurologist.

I hope you enjoyed this mini-quiz. I would love to hear your comments or any further queries.

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad
drsudhirkumar@yahoo.com
04023607777/60601066

https://www.facebook.com/bestneurologist/

STROKE: RISK FACTORS, SYMPTOMS, TREATMENT AND PREVENTION (Times of India article)

On the occasion of World Stroke Day (29th October), an article published in Times of India newspaper, to raise awareness about the diagnosis, treatment options and prevention of stroke. 

The article can be accessed in Times of India (Hyderabad edition), dated 29th October 2017 (Page 31), at the following link: http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31809&articlexml=WORLD-STROKE-DAY-Avoid-a-brush-with-a-29102017105014

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM

Senior Consultant Neurologist

Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad

04023607777/60601066
drsudhirkumar@yahoo.com

Homocysteine in heart and brain disease

IMPORTANCE OF HOMOCYSTEINE

Myocardial infarction (heart attacks) and brain strokes (paralysis) are the two most common causes of death and disability in the world. They occur in all regions of the world, and the prevalence increases with advancing age.

There are a number of known risk factors for causing heart attacks and brain strokes, which include high BP, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, positive family history and so on.

Role of homocysteine in heart attacks and brain strokes

• Homocysteine is a normal amino acid in our blood.
• However, elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood is an additional risk factor for causing atherosclerosis (narrowing of blood vessels for heart and brain).
• Elevated levels of homocysteine causes injury to the inside of blood vessel.

Though there are no definite reasons for elevated homocysteine levels, they tend to occur more in smokers and pure vegetarians.

It is easy to identify high homocysteine, by doing a simple blood test in fasting state.

Treatment of elevated homocysteine is also easy. One needs to use certain vitamins (folic acid, and other B group vitamins).
Please consult your neurologist for any further information.

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine) DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Health City, Hyderabad
Phone: 0091-40-23607777/60601066
Email: drsudhirkumar@yahoo.com

What are the risk factors for brain stroke?

RISK FACTORS FOR BRAIN STROKE

Brain stroke is a medical emergency, which is characterized by sudden onset weakness or paralysis of one half of the body. Other disabilities may include inability to speak, impaired vision, severe headache or imbalance while walking.

Risk factors for brain stroke include modifiable and non-modifiable factors:

Modifiable factors:

• Obesity,
• Smoking,
• High blood pressure,
• Diabetes mellitus,
• Elevated cholesterol
• Elevated homocysteine levels
• Cardiac diseases
• Stress

Non-modifiable risk factors for stroke include:

• Older age
• Family history of brain stroke
• Male sex

It is important to get regular check-ups done to identify any risk factors for stroke. If any of the above conditions are identified, proper treatment would ensure a stroke-free life. In case of any stroke-like symptoms, you should immediately contact your neurologist/family doctor.

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine) DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, India
Phone- 0091-4023607777/60601066
Email: drsudhirkumar@yahoo.com