Cerebral stroke, 120 thousand cases per year in Italy: the symptoms to recognize in order to intervene in time

I am around 120 thousand the people affected by cerebral stroke every year in Italy and of these approximately 45 thousand develop neurological disorders such as spasticitya disabling condition that involves difficulty in movement, with muscle contractions that make even simple daily gestures difficult and painful. However less than 30% of Italians is able to recognize the signs to intervene quickly.

The Italian Stroke Association (Isa-AiiI) has drawn up, on the occasion of World Stroke Day which is celebrated on 29 October, the Action plan against stroke for Italy (Stroke Action Plan for Italy). A document that will be delivered to the institutions in the next few days. «The number of people affected by stroke every year is very high, both at an Italian and European level, and estimates say that in the near future it will be possible a 26% increase in the incidence of the diseasewith a significant increase in healthcare costs linked to the management of the disease, which in Europe are already very high, around 60 billion euros» he explained Mauro Silvestrinipresident Isa-Aii.

Spasticity, in particular, occurs in approximately 19% of cases 3 months and up to 38% one year after the acute episode, yet to date only 18% of people who overcome the acute phase receive a diagnosis of spasticity and only 5 thousand benefit from the correct treatment. These are data from a survey conducted by Elma Researcha market research institute specializing in the health sector, and promoted by Ipsena biopharmaceutical company committed to neuroscience for over thirty years.

Stroke, what you need to know

Stroke is one acute cerebrovascular disease which can be caused by the sudden obstruction – caused by a thrombus or embolus – of a vessel in the cerebral circulation (in this case we speak of ischemic stroke) or from the rupture of an artery (in this case we speak, instead, of hemorrhagic stroke).

It’s one of those pathologies – remember ALICE. Italy Odvthe Association for the fight against cerebral stroke – defined «time-dependent»: requires immediate activation of the rescue system. The sooner we intervene, the more brain cells can be saved, allowing for better recovery and less disability. The patient’s treatment times, once they reach the emergency room, are governed by protocols now defined and tested: the crucial issue therefore remains the territorial phase, i.e. the rapid recognition of the symptoms of the stroke by the patient and his family, the prompt recognition of the acute neurological pathology by the emergency vehicles arriving on the scene, the rapid communication with the 112 switchboard, the rapid dispatch of the patient and the simultaneous contact with the neurologist in the emergency room who is able, having the data provided to him by telephone, to contact the family and prepare the treatment upon the patient’s arrival.

«It is therefore essential to intervene on the optimization of patient care and treatment services, which see large discrepancies between Northern, Central and Southern Italy» adds Silvestrini. To date, in fact, only 24% of stroke units are located in the south of the countrywith 51 structures, while the Center hosts 26% and 50% of the units are concentrated in the North. «Patients must be guaranteed rapid treatment and complete rehabilitation throughout Italy».

Andrea Vianello: «I was having breakfast and suddenly I was no longer able to use the right side of my body»

The television journalist, now president of ALICe Italia Odv, tells what it was like when, from one moment to the next, the words no longer came out. And how you can try to prevent a brain stroke

What are the most common symptoms

THE most common stroke symptoms who must alert the people around the patient, as reported Auxologico IrccsI’m there difficulty speaking correctlythealteration of visionin particular the loss of a portion of the visual field, the deviation of the mouth, a deficit of strength or sensitivity on one side of the body, alteration of balance and a general state of confusion.

As for the possibility of prevent its onset of the neurological event, the guidelines of the American Stroke Association have also recently been updated, obviously on the basis of new scientific evidence. There are eight indications produced to try to reduce cases, which all revolve around cardiovascular health: adopt a healthy diet, do physical activity regularly (carry out at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of intense aerobic activity per week (or a combination of both), naturally stop smoking, sleep well and enough, keep your weight under control, monitor cholesterol and blood sugar with blood tests and manage blood pressure. In this sense the Mediterranean diet – for those who really follow it and in full – is crucial in reducing risk.