OBESITY AND ISCHEMIC STROKES

Let's talk about these modern scourges.

- Sudha Hariharan

World Obesity Day on March 4 is an opportunity to kick-start an important debate to help people acknowledge obesity and complexities associated with it and take effective preventive action. As per an estimate, a whopping 1.9 billion people will be living with obesity in 2035.

I schemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks or narrows an artery leading to the brain. A blood clot often forms in arteries damaged by the buildup of plaques (atherosclerosis). It can occur in the carotid artery of the neck as well as other arteries.

This is the most common type of stroke. With its increasing incidence in younger population and as a leading cause of disability, ischemic stroke represents a real public health issue. Contrary to the general assumption that it is an old-age disease, ischemic stroke is a condition that can occur at any age.

Of course, its chances as well as incidence increase with age, but it has been observed to increasingly affect young people in their productive age. This tendency can have multiple consequences. Since it targets the young working population, economic and social burden are bound to appear.

Leading bariatric surgeons, Dr G. Moinoddin and Dr Sumit Talwar (Manipal Hospital) share valuable insights on the effects of obesity and how it can be managed.

Obesity is a known risk factor for several health conditions, including type-2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), and dyslipidemia (abnormal cholesterol levels). These conditions can, in turn, lead to the development of atherosclerosis, a disease where blood vessels supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain become blocked by blood clots.