Best Stroke Doctors in Mumbai

Stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted or reduced, resulting in damage and the death of brain cells. When left unattended, stroke can lead to disability, or in extreme cases, death. Factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, smoking and a family history of stroke can increase the likelihood of an individual experiencing a stroke.

In the bustling city of Mumbai, with its fast-paced lifestyle and stress-inducing environment, residents are more susceptible to health problems like stroke. The good news is that Apollo Hospitals Mumbai has a team of adept stroke doctors and stroke specialists who are well-equipped to handle such emergencies and provide the best stroke treatment.

Types of Stroke

There are mainly two types of strokes:

• Ischemic Stroke: This type accounts for about 80% of all strokes and happens when a blood clot blocks a vessel carrying blood to the brain, leading to decreased blood flow.

• Haemorrhagic Stroke: This type involves bleeding into the brain tissue when a blood vessel bursts. It can further be classified as intracerebral haemorrhage (within the brain) or subarachnoid haemorrhage (between the brain and skull).

Symptoms of Stroke

Knowing the warning signs of a stroke can aid in timely diagnosis and treatment. Common symptoms include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.

• Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech.

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination

Tests to Diagnose Stroke

To diagnose a stroke and its type, doctors at Apollo Hospitals Mumbai typically use the following tests:

• Physical Examination: Doctors evaluate the patient for noticeable symptoms of stroke.

• Neurological Assessment: The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is used to measure the severity of the stroke.

• Blood Tests: These help determine risk factors and rule out other conditions.

• CT Scan or MRI: These imaging tests can provide images of the brain to identify the cause and location of the stroke.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Stroke at Apollo Hospitals, Mumbai

The approach to stroke treatment largely depends on the type and severity of the stroke. At Apollo Hospitals in Mumbai, stroke disease treatment doctors offer:

• Clot-busting medications (thrombolytics): These are used when the cause is an ischemic stroke.

• Blood pressure control medications: These are typically needed in cases of haemorrhagic stroke.

• Surgical procedures: In some serious cases, stroke surgeons may carry out surgery which may be necessary to repair blood vessels or remove blood clots.

• Rehabilitation: This is often required post-stroke to aid in recovery.