Here’s
to your health
Stroke
Strikes Fast -
You Should, Too
Did
you know that stroke is the third leading cause of death
in the US? It’s important to know the signs
and symptoms of stroke and to act quickly. Because stroke
affects the
brain, the person experiencing the symptoms may not be able
to act alone to seek immediate medical treatment. You may
be the link to getting someone who has suffered a stroke
to medical treatment and prompt treatment is crucial.
The
Mayo Clinic defines stroke as occurring “when
the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or severely
reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients.” Early
treatment can minimize brain damage and potential stroke
complications.
Watch for these five symptoms:
1. Sudden numbness, or weakness, of face, arm, or leg – especially on
one side of the body.
2. Sudden trouble walking, sudden dizziness or loss of balance or coordination.
3. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. A person having a stroke may
suddenly have blurred or blackened vision or may see double.
4. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech. A person having
a stroke may have slurred speech or may not be able to find the words to explain
what is happening.
5. Sudden, severe headache with no known cause or an unusual headache, which
might be accompanied by a stiff neck, facial pain, pain between your eyes,
vomiting or altered consciousness.
Although
a stroke usually doesn’t give any warning,
one possible sign of an impending stroke is a temporary interruption
of blood flow to part of your brain. This is called a TIA
(transient ischemic attack). The signs of a TIA are the same
as for a stroke, but last for a shorter time – several
minutes to 24 hours – and then disappear.
It’s possible to have more than one TIA and the signs
and symptoms may be similar or they may be different. The
occurrence of a TIA may indicate you’re at risk for
a stroke. Those who have had a TIA are much more likely to
have a stroke than those who haven’t.
If you notice any signs of a TIA or a stroke, get medical
attention immediately. Even though the signs of a TIA go
away without leaving apparent permanent effects, a TIA is
an important warning sign.
While
waiting for an ambulance, keep a watch on the person who
appears to have any of the signs of a stroke or TIA.
The Mayo Clinic advises that additional actions may need
to taken. If the person stops breathing, begin mouth to-mouth
resuscitation. If vomiting occurs, turn the person’s
head to the side to prevent choking. Don’t let the
person eat or drink anything.
To
convey that quick action is mandatory, a stroke is sometimes
referred
to as a “brain attack”. Don’t
play the waiting game to see if the symptoms go away. And
don’t let indecision – should I call or shouldn’t
I – waste valuable time. The longer a stroke goes untreated,
the greater the damage.
To learn about ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, risk factors,
and complications, click on Links. There is also a short
quiz to test your stroke knowledge.
[Source: The Mayo Clinic, NINDS]
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