Watch out for that brain attack

India is witnessing a peculiar phenomenon. While the world over, victims of a brain attack are aged 60 years and above, in India, such attacks occur among the young, with 20-30 per cent stroke patients below 40 years of age. You are at higher risk if there is a family history of diabetes, heart disorders or high blood pressure.

Dr D Nagaraja, director, NIMHANS, explains, "Over 50 per cent of the stroke cases occur due to hypertension and increasing cases of diabetes."

The remaining causes are factors like metabolic rate and excessive drinking and smoking. Dr Rema Velayudhan, additional professor and scientist, National Brain Research Centre, explains, "Genetic as well as environmental factors together influence one's probability to a stroke."

The reasons for a stroke can either be an interruption in the blood flow due to a clot in the body that may lead to the blockage of an artery, or due to excessive bleeding in some parts of the brain that may decrease the supply of blood to other parts.

Besides leading to death, a stroke can also cause disabilities like paralysis or impairment of one or more senses. But advanced technology now makes it possible to treat a patient provided treatment begins soon after the attack.

Symptoms of a brain attack can either be too subtle to infer or be too stark to miss "" sudden numbness of the face, arm or leg, confusion or trouble in speech or sight, loss of balance and coordination or severe headache. However, with 10-15 per cent of the population suffering from silent strokes, the best way to cure a stroke is to avoid one.

Dr J D Mukherji, stroke neurologist with Max Hospital, reveals, "The factors that lead to a stroke are lifestyle induced." Experts advice abstinence from alcohol and smoking, avoidance of foods with high fat and cholesterol content, and regular exercise and reduction of obesity.

This not only keeps you fit but also decreases hypertension and stress. With over 1 per cent of the population at risk from a stroke, living healthy is the only way to a healthy brain.