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16,000 New Cases Of Stroke Reported In Nigeria Yearly – Expert Says

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The founder of Stroke Care International, Mrs Gloria Ekeng, on Wednesday, October 29, 2014, revealed that there are over 16, 000 fresh cases of stroke in Nigeria every year.

Ekeng disclosed this in an interview on the sidelines of a walk and screening exercise hosted by the organisation to mark the World Stroke Day.

She stated that it was impossible to put the number of cases recorded annually to a particular figure because they might not know about the cases recorded in remote villages and other rural areas.

“The estimate is between 40 to 60 per cent, our data is incomplete because we do not have information on stroke cases in the villages and rural areas generally.”

Furthermore, she made efforts to correct the impression of most people who think that stroke is usually caused by the activities of fetish men and women, highlighting that it is also a medical issue which can strike anyone between the ages of 19 and 90.

Ekeng said, “Lack of education, not in terms of academic learning but in terms of awareness about stroke, has contributed to the growing incidence of stroke in the country.

“People do not realise that stroke is a medical emergency or that it could be prevented.”

In addition, she listed some initial signs of stroke to include, obscured and blurred sight, persistent headaches that did not respond to painkillers and weakness or heaviness in certain parts of the body.

Also, people whose blood pressure was unusually  are at higher risk of being struck with hemorrhagic stroke.

According to her, simple lifestyle changes were the best way to prevent stroke, especially for people who have a family history of high blood pressure.

Ekeng said, “You have to check your blood pressure and make sure it is not up to 120 over 70 for any reason.

“People with a family history of diabetics are also at the risk of stroke and should endeavour to keep
their condition under control.

“People have to actively be healthy by choosing healthier cooking oils, maintaining a low salt diet, and exercising often.

“They should also keep their stress levels low. I know this can be difficult in Nigeria with huge stressors like traffic and other complications.”

Meanwhile, there was free screening for people aged 20 to 60, for high blood pressure indicators which was organized by the members of the Stroke Care International.

The founder of the organization observed that the blood pressure levels of over half of the beneficiaries were above normal.

She disclosed that fake drugs was capable of causing unusual high blood pressure adding that stroke prevention was very important because stroke care for the public in Nigeria is not as high as international standards because most Nigerians usually resort to  self medication.

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