On World Stroke Day, Parul Sevashram Hospital showed its commitment to extensive stroke management, rehabilitation, and awareness by recognising the remarkable recovery stories of stroke survivors who received care through its holistic care program. World Stroke Day, which falls on October 29 every year, highlights the serious consequences of strokes, which rank as the second-greatest cause of death and the third-greatest cause of disability globally. With three Indians suffering a stroke every minute and an average stroke incidence of 145 per 100,000 individuals, prompt action, efficient treatment, and sustained recovery techniques are important.

A stroke happens when a blood vessel blockage or rupture deprives the brain of oxygen and nutrients, damaging brain tissue. Neurophysicians Drs. Ankit and Mohit Shah of Parul Sevashram Hospital emphasise that prompt treatment—within the first 4.5 hours of symptom onset—can significantly improve results and lower the chance of permanent impairment. It's important to recognize the signs, and the BEFAST approach provides an easy way to do so: B (balance): sudden loss of balance or coordination; E (eyes): blurred or double vision; F (face): drooping on one side of the face; A (arms): weakness or numbness in one arm; S (speech): slurred or strange speech; and T (time): if any of these signs are present, it’s time to call for emergency help immediately.

Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in helping stroke patients regain lost abilities and adapt to lifestyle changes. The primary objective of Parul Sevashram Hospital is to help each patient's recovery process by offering complete care and integrated treatments along with medical therapy. To support patients and their families, the hospital provides neurological care, occupational therapy, yoga, and Panchkarma therapies to improve physical and emotional well-being, speech therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and home-care guidance for patients with communication challenges. “The hospital has successfully treated more than 1,000 patients with stroke since its founding, many of whom benefited from free care provided by the PMJAY program. By using a multidisciplinary approach, each patient gets individualized care that increases their chances of recovery and help them to enjoy happy, full lives” said Dr. Komal Patel, Medical Director at Parul Sevashram Hospital.

Strokes can happen to anybody at any age; however, they are more common among the elderly. Prevention begins with increasing public knowledge about risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, smoking, and hypertension. Stroke risk can be greatly decreased by implementing positive lifestyle changes, such as a balanced diet, frequent exercise, and regular check-ups with the doctor. Parul Sevashram Hospital is dedicated to raising public awareness about quick diagnosis, effective treatment, and complete post-stroke care to enhance patient outcomes and support people in leading happier, healthier lives. The hospital continues to provide healing and hope for everyone undergoing rehabilitation with its broad approach.