It is the loss of brain functions due to interruptions to the blood supply to the brain.!!! A stroke was also called a ‘brain attack..!!!

Strokes, Killer No. 2 in Sri Lanka
March 6, 2011, 9:52 pm

By Don Asoka Wijewardena



Strokes account for the second highest number of deaths in Sri Lanka, Consultant Neurologist Dr. Padma Gunaratne says.



Dr Gunaratne, who was elected President of the Sri Lanka Neurologists’ Association at the Annual General Meeting of the association, at the Cinnamon Grand recently, delivering her acceptance speech, said what was termed stroke had previously been known medically as a cerebrovascular accident. It is the loss of brain functions due to interruptions to the blood supply to the brain. A stroke was also called a ‘brain attack’, she said.



People over 50 years of age were prone to strokes and even children of 12 years old suffered from strokes, she said.



Dr. Gunaratne said that most people who were suffering from hypertension, diabetes and kidney failures were likely to have strokes and the factors leading to strokes had been identified. The high risk factors for strokes were high consumption of salt, lack of exercises, smoking and drinking.



She pointed out that people above 50, should get timely medical attention if they were suffering from heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney diseases. If they failed to get medication on time they were prone to strokes which, she said, were preventable. Every day about 40 died of and another 80 people suffered from strokes, Dr. Gunaratne said.



Dr Gunaratne added that healthy eating habits should be cultivated among people. Fruits, vegetables and cereal should be consumed by people instead of fast food which contained a very high salt concentration.



Caption: Consultant Neurologist Dr. Padma Gunaratne has been elected 44th President of the Sri Lanka Neurologist Association. Dr. Ms. Gunaratne delivers a speech on strokes after becoming the President at hotel Cinnamon Grand recently.

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