[Experts & Ailment] Combined Western and Chinese Therapy Saves a Shipboard Stroke Victim From Croatia

Credit: Imaginechina

Welcome to Expats & Ailments, our bi-weekly column that dives into the fascinating world of medicine! Each issue, we uncover real-life cases, share health tips and guide you to the best hospitals and departments. Science, solutions and everyday wellness – made simple and engaging. Stay curious, stay healthy!

Caption: Shot by Dong Jun. Edited by Dong Jun. Subtitles by Cai Wenjun.

Credit: Dong Jun / Shanghai Daily

Caption: Dr Wang Qiwei checks on Gordan Bazdaric.

A commercial tanker captain from Croatia suffered a stroke on the vessel and was hospitalized in Shanghai, where he received a combination of Western and traditional Chinese medicine that saved his life.

Gordan Bazdaric, 59, never imagined that he would have to undergo such an experience on foreign soil.

"At 3am, I woke up in my cabin unable to move my left hand or leg. I was terrified and called for help," he said of his December 16 experience. "The emergency workers and others helped me, and the ship headed to the nearest port of Shanghai. A helicopter flew me to the airport, and an ambulance transported me to the hospital.

"My immediate medical checkup revealed cerebral hemorrhage. I was, however, relaxed in the company of physicians and nurses. I offered the Chinese doctors my body and soul. They were quick and professional. Doctors treated me, and the sensation on the left side returned on the second day.

I received Western medicine and also tried acupuncture and rehabilitation activities. I could feel my Qi coming back. "I'm lucky since the medical treatment here proved effective," said Bazdaric, who will be discharged on Monday.

Dr Wang Qiwei, from the neurology department, said the patient was a typical cerebral hemorrhage case and responded well to Western and TCM treatment.

"He's much better with no complications. Rehabilitation can help him, though he's weaker," Wang said.

Credit: Dong Jun / Shanghai Daily

Caption: Bazdaric undergoes acupuncture treatment.

Credit: Dong Jun / Shanghai Daily

Caption: Rehabilitation under the guidance of a therapist.

Knowledge of stroke prevention and control

Stroke is a common and deadly condition, with risk factors including hypertension, high glucose levels, high blood fat, and a stressful and unhealthy lifestyle.

If you experience numbness on one side of your body, a sudden headache, or dizziness, call an ambulance immediately.

If you have a cerebral infarction, which is a blocked blood vessel in the brain, you should use drugs to break up the clot within 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms. Faster treatment not only increases the likelihood of survival but also reduces complications.

The time limit for surgery to remove the clot is 24 hours.

Doctors should evaluate cerebral hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain) to determine the cause and extent of the bleeding. Patients can be medicated to stop their bleeding, while those who require surgery will have to go through it.