Habit of eating late may increase risk of stroke

In today's fast-paced life, the growing habit of eating dinner late at night and snacking at midnight can increase the risk of stroke. According to a TV9 Gujarati report, if this irregular and unbalanced eating becomes part of one's daily routine, it can become a matter of health concern. A report published in 'Nature Communications' in the year 2023 states that an analysis of data from over 1 lakh young people revealed that those who have their last meal after 9 PM have a 28 percent higher risk of cerebrovascular disease, or diseases related to blood vessels in the brain, compared to those who eat before 8 PM. However, this is an observational study, which suggests a correlation between the two but is not direct proof that eating late causes a stroke.

There is a 24-hour biological clock in the body, known as the circadian rhythm. It regulates processes such as sleep, hormones, blood pressure, and metabolism. Frequent late-night eating affects these processes. When hungry late at night, people often eat chips, namkeen, sweets, fried items, and packed snacks, which are high in salt, sugar, calories, and unhealthy fats. This can lead to weight gain, blood pressure, and blood sugar problems. Some people even skip breakfast due to eating late at night, which in the long run is linked to problems like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure, all of which increase the risk of stroke.

On the occasion of World Stroke Day, according to a report in 'The Hindu', stroke medicine expert Dr. Shivarajan Thandeswaran and neurologist Dr. Harish R. Kamath of Kauvery Hospital discussed lifestyle-related risks such as poor diet, physical inactivity, and inadequate sleep. According to Dr. Kamath, 18 lakh new stroke cases are added every year and 72.5 lakh people die due to stroke annually. Stroke is the second leading cause of death, so receiving treatment within the 4.5-hour window period is extremely important.

It has been suggested by Dr. Thandeswaran that people should take responsibility for their health through regular check-ups for better outcomes. He emphasized that hospitals in India should obtain NABH or JCI certification to be recognized as 'stroke-ready', but like in Western countries, the government should enact laws to make it mandatory to transport patients to comprehensive stroke centers for treatment to save time. Hospitals in large cities have facilities like scanning, imaging, thrombolysis, and thrombectomy, while in remote areas, telemedicine is used to identify patients and move them to comprehensive stroke centers.

Symptoms of a stroke include facial drooping on one side, weakness or numbness in a part of the body, difficulty speaking, blurred vision, or loss of balance. If such symptoms appear, medical help should be sought immediately. Getting timely help in treatment increases the chances of improved outcomes. To maintain health, one should include green vegetables, fruits, grains, and protein in the diet. It is advisable to keep a gap of 2 to 3 hours between sleeping and eating. Exercising, staying away from tobacco, and regular check-ups for blood pressure and cholesterol are also necessary.