1. Home
2. Jammu

Urgent treatment is essential for Brain Tumor & Stroke

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 12/1/2020 12:29:11 PM

Y B News Jammu, Nov 30 Among Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), disorders such as stroke and brain tumour have emerged as major concerns. Eminent Neurosurgeon Dr Anurag Saxena from New Delhi based HCMCT Manipal Hospitals, who organises regular Neurology OPD in the city, has urged people to be aware of the prevention, early detection, and world-class facilities available now. Dr Anurag Saxena, Head of Department Neurosurgery, Manipal Hospitals, New Delhi said that a brain tumor, like any other tumor in the body is a growth of cells in the brain that multiplies in an abnormal, uncontrollable way. Tumor is referred by the name based on where the tumor cells originated, and whether they are cancerous (malignant) or not (benign). Common symptoms include severe headaches, seizures, persistent nausea, vomiting and drowsiness, behavioural changes, paralysis on one side of the body and vision or speech problems. It can affect people of any age, including infants and children, although they tend to be more common in older adults. For treatment, clinical interventions are done based on MRI or CT Scan. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment. “We are now performing advanced microscopic, endoscopic and navigation guided procedures for brain surgery which is often the main treatment for non-cancerous (benign) brain tumors and primary cancerous (malignant) tumors. Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy, and Radiosurgery are procedures that help in better clinical outcomes,” Dr Saxena informed. According to him, these modalities can be combined to improve clinical outcome and overall survival. Apart from these, medicines are routinely given includes steroids to reduce brain swelling, antiepileptics to prevent seizures (fits) and pain killers. Stroke is yet another major concern. “Strokes are life-threatening emergency and urgent treatment is essential. The sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen. In Jammu, people need advanced facilities for treatment of both Stroke and brain tumor. We need to make people aware of prevention, early detection and treatment of neuro disorders especially brain tumor and stroke. Both are lifethreatening and can cause long-term disability as well,”he added. Elaborating the symptoms of Stroke, he emphasised on BE F-A-S-T (Balance, Eye, Face, Arms, Speech and Time). Dr Saxena suggests watching sudden onset balance problems, visual disturbances, drooping one side of the face, mouth or eye, inability to lift both or one of the arm, weakness of one side of the body, inability to talk despite being awake. If anyone or combination of this symptoms happens, its strongly advises Not to Waste Time and get immediate medical help. According to the expert, people with High blood pressure (hypertension), Obesity, High cholesterol, Smoking habit, Irregular heartbeats (Atrial fibrillation), Diabetes, and history of previous strokes are always at high risk. Dr Saxena said that prevention is the key as one in four of us is going to have a stroke in our lifetime but it can be prevented with a healthy diet, regular exercise, by saying no to smoke and drinks. It is also important to manage hypertension and diabetes as well, he added. Manipal Hospitals offers best-in-class treatment and care to combat critical diseases.