Stroke attacks not only threaten lives but also affect patients' cognitive and motor functions. Recovery requires proper brain nutrition to repair damaged cells. Neurologist Dr. Zicky Yombana emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle to prevent and manage stroke.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Stroke is a medical emergency caused by disrupted blood flow to the brain, leading to cell death within minutes. It causes sudden neurological impairments, even paralysis, and is Indonesia's leading cause of death and a major cause of long-term disability, according to Ministry of Health RI data.
Neurologist from Universitas Indonesia, Dr. Zicky Yombana, Sp.N, AIFO-K, DAIFIDN, explains that nutrition plays a crucial role in recovery. “In the recovery phase, nutrition acts as the basic material for repairing damaged brain cells. If the brain is likened to a house damaged by a storm, nutrition is the building material to fix it. Without proper nutrition, the recovery process will be slow,” he said recently.
He highlights that stroke now often affects productive ages due to unhealthy lifestyles, such as diets high in salt and fat, lack of physical activity, smoking, and excessive food consumption contributing to metabolic syndrome and vascular disease risks. Based on the 2023 Indonesia Health Survey, stroke prevalence is 8.3 per 1,000 population, accounting for 18.5 percent of the highest mortality.
Globally, the World Stroke Organization reports over 12 million stroke cases annually, with more than 16 percent among ages 15-49. For prevention, Dr. Zicky stresses awareness of healthy lifestyles and early signs via the SEGERA method: Asymmetric smile, Decreased movement, Slurred speech, Sudden vision loss, Severe headache, and immediate hospital visit.
“Stroke is a medical emergency. The public must immediately take patients to the hospital, not massage or treat at home,” he emphasized. This understanding is an effective preventive step to reduce stroke cases.