WE KNOW EARLY WARNINGS

THE tsunami that struck South Asia last December provided a salutary warning to all the countries around the Indian Ocean.

If only we had in place an effective early warning system, so many lives could have been saved. If we had been forewarned, I am sure people would not have suffered so much. Actually we were quite unprepared for the tragedy that struck us.

Similarly many medical tragedies can be prevented if we attune ourselves to the early warning signs that Nature gives us. Unfortunately, most of us are oblivious to these signs either due to ignorance or neglect. Among the tragedies that we can prevent or at least minimise are heart attacks, strokes and cancer.

Heart attack

A heart attack occurs because one of the coronary arteries (the blood vessels that carry blood to the heart muscles) gets blocked — whether by a sudden severe spasm or by a blood clot obstructing a narrowed vessel.

In an unfortunate few, the first indication that their arteries have narrowed is when they suffer a massive and fatal heart attack. Most people, however, get warning symptoms in the form of angina, which is the name for pain or discomfort originating from the heart muscle. This is usually felt as a tightening feeling in the centre of the chest, brought on by physical exertion, cold weather or severe emotion.

Angina is felt because the heart muscle gets less blood than it needs since enough blood is unable to reach it through the narrowed coronary artery.

Angina pain may not always be typical — some people describe it as heaviness in the chest, some feel the pain along the upper left arm or the throat but it is always an unusual symptom brought on by physical exertion or severe emotion.

If you experience such a symptom, there is no point in ignoring it or rubbing liniment in the belief that it is a muscle pain. See your doctor because central chest pain of this nature should be considered to originate from the heart unless proved otherwise.

Stroke

A stroke or a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is a similar occurrence because the vessels supplying blood to the brain (cerebral arteries) are narrowed. A clot stuck in one of the important blood vessels can suddenly cut off blood flow to the brain.

Even if the area of the brain that has had its blood flow cut off suddenly is not large enough to cause death, strokes can damage the affected part of the brain resulting in paralysis, loss of memory, speech and other such problems.

Fortunately most people experience mini-strokes or Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs) before they suffer a full-blown stroke. It is important that one knows the symptoms of a mini stroke so that it can be recognised for what it is — an early warning of imminent danger.

TIAs are felt as a momentary loss of brain function that lasts less than 24 hours — a slurring of speech. A feeling of paralysis in an arm or leg, an episode of blindness in one eye, numbness in a limb or loss of consciousness for a few minutes.

Risk factors

If you are at risk of a stroke — by virtue of age, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes or if you have suffered a heart attack/stroke previously — then you should be aware of what a TIA feels like.

If you ever experience what feels like a mini stroke, see your doctor immediately and have a scan done so that effective preventive measures can be taken if it is proved that your cerebral arteries have narrowed.

Cancer is a group of diseases characterised by the abnormal rapid growth of cells and can affect various organs of the body. The symptoms can vary depending on the organ affected.

Symptoms

Any abnormal lump in the breast, testicle or surface of the body or a non-healing ulcer in the mouth, tongue or skin should be checked by the doctor. Do not hide the lump or ulcer hoping it will go away. If it is a cancer then it will grow and spread. Once a cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body, it is difficult to cure.

Unexplained weight loss is another symptom of cancer, which is often neglected. If you are not dieting, losing weight is a serious symptom as are tiredness and weakness.

Usually working too much, worrying too much or sleeping less than usual can explain being excessively tired. Not infrequently tiredness and malaise can also be caused by anaemia and blood loss resulting from a cancer in the bowel or stomach. Discuss any of these symptoms that you cannot readily explain with your doctor.

The important message is that we should recognise the warning signs and take preventive measures before we are struck down.