Stroke Amongst Women In Sri Lanka And In The Globe Is On The Increase- Dr.Udaya Ranawake

The Stroke amongst women in Sri Lanka as well as in the globe is on the increase according to President of National Stroke Association Of Sri Lanka Consultant Neurologist Dr.Udaya Ranawake.

Six out of the Ten Stroke Deaths reported from Sri Lanka and in other countries are women Dr.Ranawake has said.Almost 10% out of all hospital deaths reported annually in Sri Lanka have died due to Stroke which is the second highest cause of hospital deaths here he has been revealed.

A recently concluded survey has revealed 1% of the 21 million Sri Lankan Population have been suffered from stroke at some stage in their lives and prevalence of Stroke in Sri Lanka is among highest in the world Dr.Ranawake has stressed.

"Although Stroke is on the increase in Sri Lankan Society we are still having only 7 stroke units at local hospitals with less than 50 beds.Some patients suffering from stroke are being treated at  beds located in hospital corridors which is an unfortunate incident.We are also having a shortage of Neurology Specialist Doctors in government hospitals and there's only 34 neurologists available for 21 million Sri Lankan Population " Dr.Ranawake has further said.

While addressing a Media Seminar held yesterday(29) regarding  "World Stroke Day" which fall yesterday Dr.Ranawake has revealed this.

Addressing the seminar Consultant Neurologist of the Stroke Unit in Colombo National Hospital Dr.Padma Gunaratne has said a special programme has been launched to educate public on Stroke ,in  Sinhalese known as "Agathaya" call  "FAST". FAST meant F- FACE ,is the mouth dooping? ,A-ARMS, can both arms be lifted?, S-SPEECH ,Is the speech slurred ?Can the person understand you?,
T-TIME, waste no time.Go to the hospital immediately .

Stroke appeared as a result of a brain attack and the most common effects of the stroke are Paralysis on one side of the body and loss of ability to speak,Sudden severe headache for no reason,Sudden change in vision ,Sudden difficulty in swallowing,Sudden Difficulty in walking,dizziness , loss of balance and Sudden Weakness of numbness of face,arm and leg are the main symptoms of the disease.

High Blood Pressure,Diabetes,Cholesterol,Obesity ,Depression have been identified as major risk factors which cause the disease.