How to spot someone having a stroke and what to do
A stroke is a serious life-threatening medical condition that affects the brain.
It is one of the leading causes of death around the world and urgent treatment is essential.
There are different types and recovery length depends on the severity of the attack, though roughly one in eight people will die within 30 days of having a stroke.
The sooner someone receives treatment, the less the brain will be damaged.
Read on for everything you need to know about strokes, from how to recognise the symptoms to what the different types are.
What is a stroke?
Described by the UK's Stroke Association as a “brain attack”, a stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off.
This prevents key nutrients and oxygen from getting to the brain, causing severe damage to the brain cells, which can impair a person’s speech and the way they move and think.
Ischemic strokes, which are most common, occur when an artery that supplies blood to your brain becomes blocked by a blood clot.
The blood clots usually form in areas where the arteries have become narrowed over time due to a buildup of fatty deposits; this process is known as atherosclerosis.
Hemorrhagic strokes happen when there is bleeding in or around the brain caused by a blood vessel rupturing. This kills all of the surrounding brain cells.
The third type, according to the British Heart Foundation, is a mini-stroke, which is caused by a brief reduction in blood supply to part of the brain. These kinds of stokes, sometimes referred to as transient ischemic attacks, shouldn’t cause permanent damage to the brain, and most symptoms should pass within 24 hours.
Arteries naturally narrow as you get older, so elderly people are also more at risk.
The main causes for hemorrhagic strokes, which are less common, are stress, lack of exercise, obesity and smoking.
Some people will recover quickly, but others will need long-term support from a range of specialists, such as language therapists, dietitians, physiotherapists and psychologists.
After a stroke, a person's cognitive functions (communication, spatial awarenesses, memory and concentration) can be severely compromised, and in these instances, a rehabilitation plan will be created to help a person recover fully.
Strokes can also cause weakness in the body and, in some cases, paralysis. Physiotherapy will be prescribed if this is the case and a care worker may also be provided.
Other issues that may arise after a stroke include: vision problems, bladder issues, difficulty swallowing.
Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, may also arise after a stroke.
Some symptoms of stroke
Sudden NUMBNESS or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
Sudden CONFUSION, trouble speaking or understanding speech.
Sudden TROUBLE SEEING in one or both eyes.
Sudden TROUBLE WALKING, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
Sudden SEVERE HEADACHE with no known cause.
Weakness or paralysis of any part of the body.
Gait disturbances (trouble walking) or loss of balance and coordination.
Confusion
Memory loss
Behavioral changes
Muscle stiffness
Difficulty swallowing
Involuntary eye movements
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It is one of the leading causes of death around the world and urgent treatment is essential.
There are different types and recovery length depends on the severity of the attack, though roughly one in eight people will die within 30 days of having a stroke.
The sooner someone receives treatment, the less the brain will be damaged.
Read on for everything you need to know about strokes, from how to recognise the symptoms to what the different types are.
What is a stroke?
Described by the UK's Stroke Association as a “brain attack”, a stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off.
This prevents key nutrients and oxygen from getting to the brain, causing severe damage to the brain cells, which can impair a person’s speech and the way they move and think.
What are the different types of stroke?
There are three types of stroke.Ischemic strokes, which are most common, occur when an artery that supplies blood to your brain becomes blocked by a blood clot.
The blood clots usually form in areas where the arteries have become narrowed over time due to a buildup of fatty deposits; this process is known as atherosclerosis.
Hemorrhagic strokes happen when there is bleeding in or around the brain caused by a blood vessel rupturing. This kills all of the surrounding brain cells.
The third type, according to the British Heart Foundation, is a mini-stroke, which is caused by a brief reduction in blood supply to part of the brain. These kinds of stokes, sometimes referred to as transient ischemic attacks, shouldn’t cause permanent damage to the brain, and most symptoms should pass within 24 hours.
What causes a stroke?
For ischemic strokes, which are caused by narrowing arteries, certain things such as smoking, obesity, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption and high cholesterol can be triggers.Arteries naturally narrow as you get older, so elderly people are also more at risk.
The main causes for hemorrhagic strokes, which are less common, are stress, lack of exercise, obesity and smoking.
How to spot someone is having a stroke
The symptoms for a stroke depend on the person and the type of stroke, though the NHS uses the F.A.S.T acronym to list the main signs as:- Face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have drooped.
- Arms – the person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in one arm.
- Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake.
- Time – it's time to dial 999 immediately if you notice any of these signs or symptoms.
What happens after someone has had a stroke?
Recovery from a stroke will vary depending on how much damage the brain has injured.Some people will recover quickly, but others will need long-term support from a range of specialists, such as language therapists, dietitians, physiotherapists and psychologists.
After a stroke, a person's cognitive functions (communication, spatial awarenesses, memory and concentration) can be severely compromised, and in these instances, a rehabilitation plan will be created to help a person recover fully.
Strokes can also cause weakness in the body and, in some cases, paralysis. Physiotherapy will be prescribed if this is the case and a care worker may also be provided.
Other issues that may arise after a stroke include: vision problems, bladder issues, difficulty swallowing.
Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, may also arise after a stroke.
Some symptoms of stroke
Sudden NUMBNESS or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
Sudden CONFUSION, trouble speaking or understanding speech.
Sudden TROUBLE SEEING in one or both eyes.
Sudden TROUBLE WALKING, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
Sudden SEVERE HEADACHE with no known cause.
Weakness or paralysis of any part of the body.
Gait disturbances (trouble walking) or loss of balance and coordination.
Confusion
Memory loss
Behavioral changes
Muscle stiffness
Difficulty swallowing
Involuntary eye movements
THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES. PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG- https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/
FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG- https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/
FOR CROCHET DESIGNS https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com
Labels: blood supply, brain attack, confusion, cut off, hemorrhagic, imbalances, impair, ischemic, memory loss, mini-stroke, movement, numbness, severe headache, speech, stroke, thinking, vision loss, weakness
posted by G S Iyer at 7:02 AM
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