MARIA FERNANDES | NT
An often-overlooked aspect of health is the brain and nervous system. The recent episode of The Navhind Times’ ‘Talk from the Heart’, which aired on the Goa 365 channel, featured Dr. Nirmal Surya, a renowned neurologist and neuro-rehabilitation specialist with expertise in stroke, epilepsy, and neurological care.
The discussion began with common misconceptions surrounding neurological health. Dr. Surya explained that many people believed neurological problems were accompanied by pain. However, unlike heart conditions, which could cause noticeable chest pain, a stroke could occur without significant pain. As a result, symptoms such as headaches, weakness or vision changes were often dismissed as effects of stress, lack of sleep or ageing. “Recognising the warning signs early is crucial in preventing serious consequences,” he said.
He then explained the acronym BE FAST, which could help people recognise the early warning signs of a stroke. B for balance, E for eyes, F for face, A for arm, S for speech, and T for time. Describing a stroke as a “brain attack”, Dr. Surya stressed that immediate medical attention was essential. Eligible patients could receive thrombolysis, a clot-dissolving treatment, within about four and a half hours. Patients with major blood clots could undergo interventional treatment within a longer window of up to 24 hours. He advised families to take patients to the nearest hospital equipped to provide neurological care rather than lose valuable time travelling farther.
On headaches, Dr. Surya cautioned against ignoring a new or unusually severe headache. “Anything which is coming for the first time should be assessed by an expert, particularly if it interferes with daily activities or is accompanied by vomiting, weakness or visual disturbances,” he said.
He further explained the brain’s ability to reorganise itself through neuroplasticity. “Even after brain damage has occurred, appropriate treatment and rehabilitation can help the brain develop new pathways and improve a patient’s recovery,” he said. This capacity offered hope to stroke survivors, while neuro-rehabilitation and cognitive therapy could help address lingering difficulties with speech, movement, memory, and cognition.
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease were also covered in detail, with Dr. Surya cautioning against dismissing early symptoms as normal ageing. While occasional forgetfulness could be a part of ageing, persistent difficulty recalling recent events could indicate Alzheimer’s. “When somebody is repeatedly asking the same question and then they tend to forget, this should be a concern,” he said, advising families to seek medical attention when they noticed changes in memory, behaviour or mood.
Regarding Parkinson’s disease, he said it was associated with reduced dopamine levels in the brain and was generally progressive. Early signs included tremors, slower movements, changes in handwriting, and reduced arm movement while walking. Medicines were available, while deep brain stimulation could benefit patients who did not respond adequately to treatment.
