We all know the bad effect of air pollution on our health, but recent research finds that short term air pollution can even lead to brain stroke. A brain stroke can eventually lead to hemiplegia or even death in some cases.
The study was conducted at Dublin, Ireland, led by researchers from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences. This is important research, as being a physical therapist we know the rate of brain stroke increases during winter, but its connection to air pollution was not established.
So, what actually this study has to say.
Air pollution increases stroke in winter
Air pollution, in particular during winter becomes choking and the worst affected are senior citizens and asthmatic person. But, recent Dublin research finds that it also increases the risk of stroke.
During winter the fine particles from burning of coal, woods and dust particle suspends in the air. Researchers at Dublin found that there was a statistically significant rise in the number of hospitalisations for strokes in zero to two days after a rise in air pollution.
The researchers also found that higher levels of nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide were associated 3.5% higher risk of stroke. Higher levels of coarse particles correlated with a 3.2% higher risk, and finer particles correlated with a 2.4% higher risk.
“Every year, more than 10,000 people in Ireland have a stroke. Our research adds to evidence that there needs to be a national ban on solid fuel burning to help in our efforts to reduce this number,” said Dr Colm Byrne, the study’s lead author and clinical lecturer in the RCSI Department of Geriatric and Stroke Medicine.
What does it mean for us
We all are aware of the air quality of our major north Indian cities, they become a gas chamber. We at the personal level can hardly do anything about it, it’s upon our policymaker who can take a note of it and take necessary measure to counter winter air pollution and air quality as a whole.
Keep Reading: Long working hours? You are at increased risk of stroke| Study
Referances:
Colm Patrick Byrne, Kathleen E. Bennett, Anne Hickey, Paul Kavanagh, Brian Broderick, Margaret O’Mahony, David J. Williams. Short-Term Air Pollution as a Risk for Stroke Admission: A Time-Series Analysis. Cerebrovascular Diseases, 2020; 1 DOI: 10.1159/000510080
Dr Sunit Sanjay Ekka is a physiotherapist in practice for the last 15 years. He has done his BPT from one of the premium Central Government physiotherapy colleges, ie, SVNIRTAR. The patient is his best teacher and whatever he gets to learn he loves to share it on his Youtube channel and blog.
