30/10/2025
Wait, A Stroke Isn't A Ghost Slap?
Let's Talk.
You know that story we've all heard? The one where someone suddenly slumps, their speech slurs, and the elders nod solemnly and give it a name?
What if I told you that these stories, passed down for generations, might be putting the people we love in danger?
This World Stroke Day, let's pull up a chair and unravel the truth. That "ghost slap" or "spirit's hand" isn't a spiritual attack. It's what is referred to as a "Brain Attack." It's a medical emergency, plain and simple. And understanding that difference is the first step to saving a life.
Let's Bust Some Myths (Let's Keep It Real)
Myth 1: "It's a curse or spiritual attack."
The Fact: I get it, it's the first place our minds go. But a stroke is a physical problem inside the brain. It's usually caused by a clot blocking blood flow (like a roadblock in your brain) or a burst blood vessel (like a leaky pipe). The real villains here aren't spirits—they're things like high blood pressure, diabetes, and unhealthy habits. Things we can actually check and manage.
Myth 2: "Only old people have strokes."
The Fact: Not anymore. I wish this were true, but it's not. We're seeing more and more young people, even in their 30s and 40s, having strokes. Our stressful lives, what we eat, and untreated health issues don't care about age. No one is "too young" to be safe.
Myth 3: "If it happens, there's no hope."
The Fact: This one breaks my heart because it's so wrong. Time is Brain. That's the mantra. If you get to a hospital FAST, there are amazing medicines and treatments that can stop the stroke in its tracks and prevent lifelong disability. Waiting because you think it's a slap from a ghost? That's what makes the damage permanent. There is ALWAYS hope with quick action.
Myth 4: "You can't prevent it. It's fate."
The Fact: You have more power than you think! Most strokes can be prevented. It starts with simple steps:
· Check Yourself: Pop into a clinic and know your blood pressure and sugar numbers. It’s quick and easy.
· Eat Smarter: Let's go easy on the salt, sugar, and oily foods. Our local greens, beans, and whole grains are brain superheroes!
· Move Your Body: You don't need a gym. A regular 30-minute walk works wonders.
· Kick Bad Habits: Smoking and too much alcohol? Let's try to cut back.
So, What Does a Stroke Actually Look Like? Think F.A.S.T.🤔
Forget the ghost stories for a second. If you see any of these signs, it's a red alert. Remember the word F.A.S.T.:
· F - Face: Is their face drooping on one side? Ask them to smile. Is it crooked?
· A - Arms: Can they raise both arms? Does one arm drift down or feel weak?
· S - Speech: Is their speech slurred or strange? Can they repeat a simple sentence like "The sky is blue"?
· T - TIME!: This is the most important part. Don't wait. Don't call the Babalawo, Dibia, or native doctor first. Call for an ambulance or get them to the hospital RIGHT NOW.
Let's Be the Generation That Knows Better. Our grandparents and elders used different words to describe something terrifying. But now we have the knowledge to match the science to the symptoms.
We can honour our past by protecting our future. Let's change the story. Let's be the ones who see the signs and say, "This is a stroke, let's get help!" instead of assuming it's a ghost.
Share this with your mum, your uncle, your friends. Talk about it in your language. Let's stop the fear and start the healing.
