A Consultant Neurophysiotherapist at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, Dr Alexander Gordons, has urged people to seek immediate medical attention when stroke symptoms occur.
Gordons said prompt treatment could reduce brain damage and improve patients’ chances of effective treatment and rehabilitation.
He explained that stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted, depriving brain tissue of oxygen.
He advised people to remember the warning signs using the FAST principle: facial weakness or drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties and time to seek medical attention.
“The faster you get to the hospital, the better the attention the patient will receive. Subsequently, the degree of damage will be less.
“But the longer you stay, the degree of damage will be more,” he said.
Gordons said physiotherapy also played an important role in stroke management and rehabilitation, helping patients regain lost functions, improve independence and return to work and normal activities.
