• If someone we know have a stroke, what should we do?
  Answer: Please seek immediate medical attention or call 1669 for emergency medical advice or ambulance. The earlier patients with stroke are properly treated, the higher chance the recovery is.
  
  Facts about stroke
  • Treatment of stroke depends on the symptom onset, severity of symptoms and result of CT scan.
  • Thrombolytics can treat stroke patients with 4.5 - hour symptom onset.
  • Mechanical thrombectomy can be used to treat patients with compelling indications. Currently it can be prescribed to patients with 24 - hour symptom onset.
  • The result of treatment by thrombolytics or mechanical thrombectomy depends on the symptom onset. Therefore, the patient’s medical record questioning, physical exam, blood test result and CT scan should be prescribed and evaluated promptly.
  • In stroke patients with minor symptoms who are ineligible for thrombolytics or mechanical thrombectomy, dual antiplatelet therapy prescribed within 24 hours for 21 consecutive days can significantly prevent recurrent stroke.
• Why do we say “Time is Brain”?
  Answer: Because every second counts. The more delay, the more damaged brain cells. The earlier patients are diagnosed and treated, the better chance they can recover and return to normal life.
• Why is it critical for stroke patients to be hospitalized as soon as possible?
  Answer: Because it is crucial for stroke patients to receive thrombolytics as soon as possible. This can prevent permanent brain damage. Thrombolytics will be prescribed if patients are hospitalized within 4.5 hours after the symptom onset. If patients are not responsive to the medication, doctors will subsequently consider mechanical thrombectomy to save as much brain tissue as possible and prevent disability and death.|
• Are there any stroke prevention guidelines?
  Answer: If you have not yet suffered from stroke, it can be preventable by addressing risk factors. Maintain healthy diet, regular exercise, drinking or smoking cessation and keep your medical conditions including hypertension, hyperlipidemia or diabetes under control. Apart from those key points, stroke patients should regularly take medications including antiplatelets, anticoagulants and hypolipidemic drugs to prevent recurrence of stroke.

• Why do patients with stroke need a CT scan?
  Answer: CT scan uses X-ray to assess brain tissue and cerebral arteries.  This diagnostic imaging allows doctors to evaluate if there is bleeding in the brain before prescribing blood clot-dissolving medicine, diagnose parts of the brain with no blood circulation and locate where the narrowing or blood clots of arteries are formed in order to plan an appropriate treatment.
• Why do patients with stroke need an MRI scan?
  Answer: MRI scan is a type of scan using magnetic fields to create images of brain and cerebral arteries. It is prescribed to stroke patients with unknown time of symptom onset, patients with posterior circulation stroke or those who have an allergic reaction to intravenous contrast used in CT scan.

FAQ about post-stroke rehabilitation

• When should post-stroke rehabilitation start?
  Answer: The post-stroke rehabilitation needs a cooperation among a physician, physical therapist, occupational therapist, patient, patient’s relatives and caretakers for the best result. The first 3-6 months after recovery of stroke is the golden period for rehabilitation.

Compiled and edited by
Dr Udom Suthiponpaisan
Neurological Diseases and Stroke
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Dr Chutanat Yotsarawat
Neurology
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Dr Manasawan Santananukarn
Neurology
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Dr Boonthida Hooncharoen
Diagnostic Radiology
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Dr Petploy Phuvakirivivat
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
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