Stroke mitigation encouraged as cold weather increases rates of occurrence

07 Jan 2023

DMG Newsroom
7 January 2023, Sittwe

Health officials are warning that special attention should be paid to strokes, which are more common during cold weather due to constricted blood vessels.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted. There are three main types of stroke: ischemic, intravascular, and transient stroke, with ischemic strokes being the most common.

“A stroke is caused by the brain cells in the brain not getting the blood they need,” said Dr. Soe Naing Win. “If you have a stroke, the damage to the brain cells may cause side effects. Eighty-five percent of strokes are caused by an intracerebral embolism, and 15 percent are caused by intracerebral aneurysms.”

Numbness in the face, arms and legs on one side of the body, impaired vision and other sensory abilities, and sudden fainting are precursors of a stroke.

Strokes can occur at any age but are more common in people who are overweight, people over 55, people with high blood lipids, people who do not exercise regularly, heavy drug users, people with high blood pressure, diabetes, and people with a family history of stroke.

“Those with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and high blood fat are more predisposed to strokes,” Dr. Soe Naing Win said. “Exercise to prevent stroke. And consult with your nearest doctor and don’t take any medicine prescribed by an acquaintance. Since each person’s body structure is different, it is best not to use [medicines] without a doctor’s approval.”

“No organisations have yet donated warm clothes and blankets to IDPs in Arakan State,” said a manager of the Nyaungchaung IDP camp. “Elderly people in displacement camps are suffering from colds, runny noses, coughs and illnesses, and are worried about having strokes.”

“There is actually no vaccine that can prevent stroke,”  said Dr. Soe Naing Win. “People with irregular heartbeats are often given blood thinners to prevent blood clots from forming. Those are drugs that you have to take for the rest of your life. People with high blood pressure, diabetes, or high blood fat should be treated by a doctor. Cut out smoking, alcohol and drugs as much as possible. Exercise and control your weight. Diabetes is the most likely cause of stroke, so it is important to control and treat diabetes.”