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Air Pollution Stroke Risk: With the onset of winter, the level of air pollution reaches very dangerous category in many major cities of the country including North India. This slow poison dissolved in the air is not limited only to respiratory tract, asthma and lung infections, but it is also directly and fatally attacking the most sensitive organ of the human body i.e. the brain. According to recent medical research and neurologists, the micro pollutants present in the air are directly dissolving in the bloodstream and blocking the veins, due to which the risk of brain stroke increases by 20% to 30%. Degrading air quality (AQI) is no less than a serious emergency for the elderly, those with high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart patients. In such a situation, it is very important for every citizen to understand the harmful effects of pollution on the brain, the early signs of stroke and the preventive measures.
Polluted air mainly contains toxic elements like particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 0.1), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. These PM 2.5 particles are so fine that they pass through the depth of the lungs and enter the blood vessels directly through the breath.
When these toxic particles reach the bloodstream, they cause severe inflammation and oxidative stress in the endothelium of the blood arteries. Due to this, the blood starts thickening and the possibility of formation of blood clots in the veins increases manifold. If this blood clot blocks an artery leading to the brain, the supply of oxygen and essential nutrients to the brain cells immediately stops. Due to lack of oxygen, millions of brain cells start dying within a few minutes, which is called ‘Ischemic Stroke’ in medical language. Apart from this, polluted air suddenly increases blood pressure, which can also lead to the risk of rupture of a weak vein of the brain i.e. ‘hemorrhagic stroke’.
In case of brain stroke, time is life. Doctors say that if the patient is taken to the hospital within 3 to 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms (golden hour), the patient’s life can be saved through clot-busting injection or thrombectomy and permanent paralysis can be prevented. The easiest way to recognize stroke symptoms is the ‘FAST’ formula:
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F (Face Drooping): Ask the patient to smile. Is his face or mouth drooping or crooked on one side?
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A (Arm Weakness): Ask to raise both hands. Is one arm becoming weak and falling down or feeling numbness in it?
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S (Speech Difficulty): Ask the patient to say a simple sentence. Is his voice unclear, hoarse or wavering?
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T (Time to Call – Run to the hospital immediately): If any of these symptoms are seen, then without wasting time, immediately go to the nearest hospital where 24-hour CT Scan and Neurology ICU facilities are available.
Apart from this, sudden unbearable severe pain in the head, dizziness, sudden darkness before the eyes or loss of balance can also be serious warning signs of stroke.
According to doctors, the following sections need extreme caution during poor air quality days:
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Senior citizens: The blood vessels of people above 55 to 60 years of age are naturally hard and narrow, which are most rapidly affected by pollution.
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High BP and diabetes patients: Uncontrolled sugar and high blood pressure already weaken the arteries, so pollution doubles the risk of stroke.
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Heart patients and cholesterol sufferers: People whose heartbeat is irregular (Arrhythmia/Atrial Fibrillation) or whose bad cholesterol is increased.
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Smokers: In people who smoke cigarettes or beedis, air pollution together greatly accelerates the process of blood clotting.
Neurologists and health experts recommend taking the following practical precautions to avoid brain stroke and the deadly effects of pollution:
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Change the time of morning walk: When AQI is above 300, avoid brisk outdoor walking or heavy exercise in the early morning or late evening. In the morning there is a dense blanket of cold and smog close to the ground, due to which toxic particles reach the lungs and blood directly when inhaled heavily. Go out of the house only after the sun rises.
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Use N-95 mask: Ordinary clothes or surgical masks cannot prevent PM 2.5 particles. Whenever it is necessary to go out, wear a good quality N-95 or N-99 respirator mask with proper fitting.
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Keep indoor air pure: Keep windows and doors closed when pollution is at its peak outside. If possible, use an air purifier with a HEPA filter in the room. Avoid burning incense sticks, incense sticks or mosquito coils inside the house as they increase indoor pollution manifold.
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Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water: Drink adequate amount of lukewarm water, soup and herbal decoction throughout the day. Drinking plenty of water reduces the chances of blood clotting and flushes out toxins from the body.
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Take a diet rich in antioxidants: Include things rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Amla, orange, green leafy vegetables, walnuts and turmeric milk help in reducing internal inflammation caused by pollution in the body.
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Regular BP and medicines monitoring: If you are a patient of hypertension, cholesterol or diabetes, do not skip your prescribed medicines and keep checking your BP daily. Sudden increase in BP can be a major cause of stroke.