Rapid Stroke Intervention Crucial for Recovery, Ziv Medical Center Doctor Emphasizes
Translated & summarized from Alarab by baba
Dr. Naim Saman of Ziv Medical Center stressed the critical need for rapid stroke intervention, noting that Arab patients in Israel experience strokes at a younger age with higher rates of diabetes and smoking. Ziv Medical Center offers comprehensive stroke services, including rapid diagnosis and clot-dissolving treatment. Dr. Saman urged immediate medical attention for stroke symptoms and emphasized preventative measures.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rapid stroke intervention is crucial for recovery, potentially preventing permanent disability, according to Dr. Naim Saman.
- Arab patients in Israel experience strokes at a younger age and have higher rates of diabetes and smoking.
- Ziv Medical Center provides rapid diagnosis and clot-dissolving treatment for stroke patients in the Galilee and Golan.
- Immediate medical attention is vital for sudden neurological symptoms, with emergency services recommended.
- Preventative measures like managing chronic conditions and lifestyle changes are key to reducing stroke risk.
Dr. Naim Saman, Director of the Neurology Department and Stroke Unit at Ziv Medical Center in Safed, highlighted the critical importance of rapid intervention in stroke cases, stating that swift medical action can determine the difference between recovery and permanent disability. He noted that strokes are not limited to the elderly, with younger individuals in their 40s and 50s, and even younger, being affected.
Dr. Saman presented findings from three studies he supervised, which indicated that Arab patients in Israel experience strokes at a younger age (average 66 years) compared to Jewish patients (average 73 years). These studies also revealed higher rates of diabetes (57% vs. 34%) and smoking (31% vs. 18%) among Arab stroke patients, with a lower efficacy of clot-dissolving treatment in this group (48% vs. 59%).
Further research led by Dr. Saman showed that Arab citizens are also more prone to cerebral hemorrhages at a younger age (average 66.1 years) than Jewish citizens (average 72.2 years). This group also exhibited higher rates of diabetes (60% vs. 29%) and smoking (26% vs. 11%), with deep cerebral hemorrhages being more common among Arab patients (74% vs. 62%).
Ziv Medical Center's neurology department has become a comprehensive system offering rapid diagnosis and treatment for stroke patients in the Galilee and Golan Heights. Services include a specialized stroke unit, acute care, advanced medical imaging, clot-dissolving therapy, and ongoing follow-up. Dr. Saman stressed that every minute without treatment leads to irreversible brain damage.
He urged the Arab community to seek immediate medical attention for sudden neurological symptoms such as facial drooping, limb weakness or numbness, speech difficulties, vision disturbances, or loss of balance, advising to call emergency services (101) rather than driving themselves. Even if symptoms subside, urgent medical evaluation is necessary as it could indicate a transient ischemic attack, a warning sign for a more severe stroke. Prevention through managing blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and physical activity was also emphasized.