Recognizing Signs of a Stroke And Quick Treatment
If you or someone you know is having a stroke, a quick diagnosis and treatment might be the difference between life or death or permanent paralysis if the stroke victim survives. So it is essential that you know the signs of a stroke.The odds of not only surviving a stroke but recovering from one are dramatically increased if you get the stroke victim to a hospital within three hours of the attack.
First, some facts about strokes and who is mmost likely to suffer one.Strokes kill one person each minute in the U.S. alone. Of the 750,000 victims each year, one-third die, and another third suffer permanent paralysis, loss of speech or memory lapses.
Strokes can be caused by any one of several factors, but basically the immediate cause is a blockage of blood to the brain by plaque build up in the carotid artery or by a piece of plaque breaking free and blocking blood to the brain.
Persons Who Are At Risk
Your chances of having a stroke are higher if you fall into these categories
1) Hereditary–If a person comes from a family where other members have suffered strokes.
2) Gender–Women are more likely to have a stroke than men.
3) Age–The chance of having a stroke approximately doubles for each decade of life after age 55. While stroke is common among the elderly, a lot of people under 65 also have strokes.
4) Race–African Americans are more likely to have one than are Caucasians.
5) Medical History–Sickle cell anemia. Sickled red blood cells are less able to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues and organs. They also can stick to the walls of the blood vessels, which can block arteries to the brain, causing a stroke.
Also, persons who have already had a stroke before or a TIA, a mini-stroke with no permanent damage,are much more likely to have another stroke.
Stroke Symptoms
You can tell if someone you’re with is having a stroke by asking them four simple questions
1.See if the individual can smile at you. His smile will appear to be crooked if he’s having a stroke.
2.) Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)(i.e. It is sunny out today). A stroke victim will not be able to do this easily.
3.See if the person can raise both arms over his head. He won’t be able to raise both arms.
4.) Ask him to STICK OUT HIS TONGUE. If the tongue is ‘crooked’, if it goes to one side or the other,that is also an indication of a stroke.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
Additional signs of a TIA, or mini-stroke, include a feeling that one leg or arm is heavier than the other and walking or climbing stairs is difficult.The victim might trip going up the stairs because one leg didn’t lift high enough to clear a stair. A victim is likely to lose his balance if he gets up out of a chair quickly and might fall down and have difficulty getting up.
If this happens to you or the person you’re with it, is imperative you get to a hospital immediately.You’ll go to the head of the line for immediate tests and treatment if necessary. And this was your lucky day! You’ll likely survive and escape any permanent damage.
If you have this experience and everything works out ok, remember that this is a warning and lifestyle changes are mandatory to keep another, more serious stroke from happening again.
Tags: diagnosis and treatment stroke, facts about stroke, having a stroke, mini stroke, possible stroke symptoms, prior stroke victim, risk factors stroke, signs of stroke, strokes causes, TIA
