Patient care after stroke

 Written by: Muhammad Arif Rahimi

A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to any part of the brain and it’s a serious life-threatening medical condition.

 According to the information provided by Shaikh Zahid Hospital in Kabul city about 3000-4500 patients with stroke are taken to the mentioned hospital monthly.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some people and two physicians about the care of stroke patients.

A woman who doesn’t want to introduce herself says, “My cousin was engaged to a boy. She suddenly suffered from a stroke and we took her to the hospital. Her one faced paralyzed; she could not talk and go into a coma and after 11 days, she died.”

Another woman, Hamida Babakarkhel says, “My mother could not talk; her eyes lost their movement; her arms, legs and mouth did not work properly and she could not eat or talk. We took him to the hospital. It’s the second time that she suffers from a stroke.”

A neurologist, doctor Brialai Malikzai says, “Stroke has different stages. If the vain is cut, she/he might suffer from bleeding; her/his blood pressure goes higher; suffers from severe headache; her/his arms and legs paralyze or some patients might not have these signs and symptoms but they could not talk and loses their eyesight. If the vein is not blocked or cut, the patients might suffer from mouth paralyze and they might not be able to talk or eat. If these patients are not treated on time and they suffer from stroke for the second time, they might die.”

What do some people think about the causes of stroke?

Hamida Babakarkhel says, “My mother is suffering from nerve disease and her blood pressure rose and caused her stroke.” 

Muhammad Muslim, a resident of Maidan-Wardak says, “I think stress and grief are the main causes of stroke. My father had the same problem and he had a stroke.”

Doctor Malikzai says, “Stroke has different causes like high blood pressure, high cholesterol; overweight and not having physical exercises; diabetes; eating too much salt; greasy foods and others.”

How do some people take care of stroke patients?

Muhammad Muslim says, “My father had a stroke and he got his health back. The doctor advised me to keep him always happy; should do exercises, and prevented him from beef, salt, and oil forever. 

We were regularly inviting our relatives to our home to talk to my father and we also take care of his hygiene.”

Khatira, a resident of Kabul city says, “My father had a stroke but we did not hospitalize. We apply the doctor’s advice. We take care of his diets and give his medicines according to the prescription.”

Doctor Malikzai says, “Four points must be taken into account for stroke patients.

1: Giving medicines regularly according to the prescription.

2: Avoid the patients from eating ghee, oil, salt, beef, mutton, banana, and kiwi.

3: The patient’s room must light and do not talk with him/her for more than 15 mins. 

4: Should encourage him/her for regular physical exercises and let him/her stay in direct sunray for 15 minutes.”