One of the surprising things that researchers have noticed during the COVID-19 pandemic is that there has been a dramatic decline in the number of people that have gone to the emergency room and have received treatment for ischemic stroke. Now, on the surface, this seems like a really good thing. Fewer stroke cases is always good news, right?
Unfortunately, the reasoning for this seeming decline in stroke occurrences is not likely because there were fewer strokes taking place. Researchers gathered their data during the month of March 2020, and then compared it to both February 2020 and March 2019 as a reference point. By both measures, the number of treated strokes in the United States dropped.
However, it’s not likely that this number dropped because of fewer strokes happening.
Because of fear, stricter hospital and doctor requirements for transfer and admission, and strains on the healthcare system as a whole, fewer people are going to the doctor and emergency room. For some cases, this is good since not every instance requires a higher level of treatment. Emergency rooms are often strained on a regular basis because of this. However, there is a real need for medical assistance. If this is ignored in a stroke, the consequences could be severe.
Some are indicating that this will have a bystander effect. Because of the dramatic impact that the coronavirus has had on us, a lot of people are not getting the care that they need. A stroke’s impact may not be seen immediately; it may even be a few months before the true health impact of a stroke is fully known. However, the people that have suffered from strokes during this time and have not been adequately treated are likely to have more severe needs in the near future. Only time will tell what the bystander effect of COVID-19 has been on stroke victims and for those dealing with other illnesses.
Ischemic stroke is the most prevalent type of stroke in the world, accounting for about 85 percent of all strokes. This happens when a blood clot temporarily blocks or slows the spread of oxygenated blood to the brain. It can result in brain damage, cognitive disability, and physical disability. All of these things can easily lead to a need for more intensive care once someone has suffered a stroke.
Remember, the key window of time when it comes to treating a stroke is just two hours. If someone receives effective treatment within that timeframe after the stroke begins, there’s a strong chance that they will make a full recovery. The further treatment advances beyond the two hour window, the more likely that individual is to experience some sort of permanent disability.
If someone does have a disability, the odds that they will require senior care of some sort go way up. Now, there are a lot of great care resources (like us) out there. But even better than using a great care service is to eliminate the physical issues that make care necessary. Better health is always the stronger alternative. Preventive and immediate care when a stroke is suspected can help to achieve this.
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