Rahul Roy Suffers Brain Stroke; How Do You Identify the Signs?

Bollywood actor Rahul Roy suffered brain stroke while shooting for a project in Kargil, and is currently hospitalised in the city.

The 52-year-old actor was shooting in Kargil for a project when he suffered the brain stroke. He was rushed from Kargil to Srinagar and then to Mumbai where he is presently undergoing treatment in an ICU at Nanavati Hospital, according to a report by The Indian Express.

Stroke: Risk Factors and Treatment

Stroke is recognised as a sudden onset disease characterised by a weakness of limbs; angulation of the face and mouth; slurring of speech; difficulty in swallowing and, sometimes, loss of consciousness. Usually a disease of the elderly, it is now being seen increasingly in young adults below 40 years of age.

Stroke is driven by a cluster of risk factors – high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, tobacco and alcohol use, air pollution, etc. – all of which can, over a period of time, contribute to the sudden onset of a stroke.

A stroke also called cardiovascular accident (CVA) affects the arteries which carry oxygen and other essential nutrients to the brain.

Stroke is a medical and surgical emergency. Time is very critical because millions of neurons or nerve cells are lost every minute if the obstructed clot is not dissolved or removed. Once the neurons die, they cannot be revived, and clinical symptoms persist.

Despite its suddenness, there is a golden period of approximately 4.5 hours after the onset where, through early detection and immediate medical care, the disease can potentially be treated.

Dr Sanjay Saxena from Max Healthcare and K Rajpal suffered a stroke eight years ago at the age of seventy-four. They spoke with FIT about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of a stroke.

Identifying stroke and increasing public awareness helps in early recognition of this catastrophic but treatable emergency. The sooner treatment is given the more the damage can be minimised.

How Do You Recognise Stroke?

In conversation with FIT, Dr Chandril Chugh, Senior Consultant & Head, Interventional Neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, had explained the 7 ‘S’ to diagnose stroke.

1. SUDDEN (symptoms usually start suddenly)

2. SLURRED SPEECH (speech is not clear, as if drunk)

3. SIDE WEAK (face, arm or leg or all three can get weak)

4. SPINNING (vertigo)

5. SEVERE HEADACHE

6. SIGHT (loss of vision)

7. SECONDS (note the time when the symptoms start and rush to the hospital)

(With inputs from IANS)