Stroke is commonly associated with symptoms like paralysis of the arms and legs, slurred speech, or a drooping face. But doctors say there is a type of stroke that can silently damage the brain without any clear symptoms at all. In medicine, this is known as a “silent stroke.”
Dr. Vaibhav Patel, a neurosurgeon in Michigan, recently issued a warning about this on Instagram. He said that every week, patients come to him who exercise regularly, eat healthy food, and live a healthy lifestyle. Yet MRI scans reveal small lesions have formed in their brains, even though they never realized they had suffered a stroke.
Why is it called a “silent stroke”?
According to Dr. Patel, unlike a typical stroke, it does not cause symptoms such as weakness in the limbs, difficulty speaking, or facial drooping. As a result, most people never realize their brain has been damaged. However, over the long term, multiple silent strokes can increase the risk of memory loss, loss of balance, and dementia.Symptoms that should not be ignored
According to Dr. Dhruv Chaturvedi, director of the neurosurgery department at a New Delhi hospital in India, while silent strokes have no obvious symptoms, some subtle changes can appear — such as sudden memory weakness, difficulty maintaining focus, loss of balance while walking, mild numbness in any part of the body, slower thinking, and unusual changes in behavior or mood.
He said many people dismiss these issues as effects of aging or mental stress and ignore them. But these can also be signs of a silent stroke.
How is it diagnosed? According to experts, the most effective way to detect a silent stroke is an MRI scan, which can pick up even tiny lesions in the brain. Those with high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol in particular should undergo regular health checkups.
How to reduce the risk?
According to Dr. Chaturvedi’s advice, adequate sleep, stress management, regular exercise, and a balanced diet play an important role in keeping the brain’s blood vessels healthy. He recommends at least 30 minutes of brisk walking five days a week. Adequate water intake and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are also essential.
Is recovery possible after a silent stroke?
Doctors say brain cells damaged by a stroke do not regenerate. However, if the condition is detected in time, further damage can largely be prevented. For this, experts recommend controlling blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, regular exercise, mental exercises, adequate sleep, and a diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and green leafy vegetables. Along with this, consulting a neurologist as needed and undergoing regular checkups can reduce the future risk of dementia and other complications.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report