Nghe An: Cold weather, increasing number of stroke patients

From behindLunar New YearUp to now, the weather has had unusual changes, the high temperature difference during the day and between days has caused many patients to be hospitalized for treatment.

At Friendship General HospitalNghe An, the number of patients increased dramatically, increasing by more than 150% compared to normal days. There are currently 2,200 patients being treated here, mainly for stroke, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. On the morning of January 31, 2023, there were about 1,300 patients coming for outpatient examination.

At the Stroke Center, about 20-25 patients come in for treatment every day. Photo: Thanh Chung

At the Stroke Center, the number of patients has increased rapidly in recent days, with about 20-25 patients being treated each day. Of these, patients with acute stroke account for about 10-15%.

At this time (noon January 31, 2023), the Stroke Center has 110 inpatients, with about 40 patients in serious condition, requiring level 1 care. 80% of patients have cerebral infarction, the remaining 20% ​​have cerebral hemorrhage.

Most of the stroke patients being treated here are between 65 and 80 years old. However, there are also 4 patients under 40 years old… All the beds are full of patients, and doctors and nurses are having a hard time treating and caring for them.

According to doctors at the Stroke Center: Sudden changes in temperature from high to low during the day are the main cause of many stroke patients. When the temperature drops to about 15 degrees Celsius, the risk of stroke increases by 80% compared to normal temperature times. Patients often have strokes late at night and early in the morning.

The Stroke Center currently has 110 inpatients, with about 40 patients in serious condition, requiring level 1 care. Photo: Thanh Chung

Master, Doctor Le Quang Toan - Director of Stroke Center, Nghe An General Hospital shared: The main culprits causing stroke are chronic underlying diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

To prevent and reduce the risk of stroke, people with the above risk factors for chronic underlying diseases need to control the risk factors by using chronic disease treatment drugs according to the recommendations and instructions of a specialist.

In cold weather, peripheral blood vessels constrict, increasing blood pressure and blood viscosity, increasing the risk of stroke. Therefore, people need to avoid sudden exposure to cold air, especially in the early morning, afternoon and evening.

People should also exercise moderately, should exercise indoors in a cool and airy place, should not exercise outdoors. When going out, they should wear warm clothes, hats, gloves, etc. To prevent disease, people also need to eat a balanced diet, increase their intake of vegetables, tubers, and fruits.

When seeing a relative showing signs such as sudden speech disorder (inability to speak or mumble, screaming), weakness in the arms and legs on one side, crooked mouth, sudden coma and impaired consciousness... the family needs to take the patient immediately to a medical facility for assessment, treatment, and timely and specific treatment referral during the golden period, to avoid being late and having unfortunate consequences - Master, Doctor Le Quang Toan recommends./.