Stroke in Chile How to avoid it? – health and wellbeing

Risk factors such as age, high blood pressure, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, consumption excessive alcohol, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol and certain cardiovascular diseases can cause death. According to Dr. Manuel Gómez, neurosurgeon at the clinic Tarapacá

the specialist warns that it is a silent disease because it does not present obvious symptoms. "In Chile, there are about 25,000 cases of stroke a year, and men over 45 are the most likely to suffer from this disease.Most cases are concentrated in older men over 60 years old, "said Dr. Gomez.

Moderate symptoms indicative of a stroke are "speech disorders, motor disorders of the extremities and a deviation of the facial features. The facial features start very well, and there may even be injury to consciousness if the damage is serious, "says the doctor.

"Among the risk factors mentioned, there are the non-modifiable factors, men and women.The neurosurgeon adds that, to stay healthy, avoid cigarettes, alcohol, sedentary life and l & # 39; Obesity could be a key factor to avoid this disease.

Once stroke has occurred, the factors that influence the prognosis are usually the extent of damage to the brain, the region of the brain affected, whether it is a cerebral infarction, or hemorrhagic cerebrovascular accident, the rapidity of the start of medical treatment and the presence of other serious illnesses that may worsen the progression, explains the specialist.

"Usually one-third of patients with stroke die, another third is responsible for severe sequelae and the remaining one is evolving with mild sequelae. It goes without saying that all therapeutic strategies and technologies aim to increase this last group of patients, even if several times, in spite of all the medical efforts, it is not possible to realize it, declares the neurosurgeon. 19659004]

Public Policies

With regard to the public policies relating to this disease, "it is important that ischemic brain accidents (cerebral infarction) are part of the pathologies GHG (Health guarantees explicit), as part of the neurosurgeon, advises the neurosurgeon.

In summary, it is important "to lead a healthy lifestyle, to do exercises, to eat low salt and carbohydrate foods, to avoid excess cigarettes and alcohol and to control hypertension, heart disease if they are already suffering, "says Gomez.

"These recommendations address the entire population, the at-risk group and the youngest, to the adoption of a healthy lifestyle. the riskiest ages, "concludes the specialist.