A stroke, often called a brain attack, occurs when blood
flow to the brain is interrupted long enough to cut off
oxygen supply, causing brain cells to die. It can be caused
by a clot or rupture in an artery leading to or in the brain,
or compression of an artery within the brain. Of the four
types of strokes, cerebral thrombosis, caused by blood clots,
is the most common, accounting for nearly 80% of attacks.
Signs and symptoms of stroke are:
- sudden weakness or numbness of face, arm or leg on one
side of the body
- sudden dimness, blurring, or loss of vision, especially
in one eye
- difficulty in speaking or understanding speech
- sudden severe headache
- dizziness, unsteadiness, or a sudden fall
These can also be symptoms of a transient ischemic attack
(TIA), or a "mini-stroke," which often precedes
a major stroke. A TIA results from a temporary blood clot
and can happen days, weeks or months a real stroke. They
may last only minutes but are an important warning sign
for stroke and should NOT be ignored. Getting medical attention
for TIAs can prevent a fatal stroke down the road.
What should you do if someone is experiencing a full
stroke or TIA?
- Have the person immediately stop what they are doing
and call 911 for help.
- Lay the victim down with head and shoulders slightly
elevated. This will reduce pressure on the brain.
- If person is breathing but unresponsive, place them
on their left side with chin extended. This opens airways
and lets vomit or secretions drain from the mouth, preventing
choking.
- Never give the victim anything to eat or drink, as this
may cause choking.
- Offer calm reassurance that help is on the way.
Once medical attention has been administered and a stroke
victim is in recovery, there can be long-term effects that
may or may not improve over time. These include:
· weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
· speech and memory problems
· balance and coordination problems
· difficulty learning, concentrating, and making
decisions
The best way to avoid stroke is to educate yourself and
your loved ones about the associated risk factors. While
age is a risk factor that cannot be altered, others can
be changed through medical treatment and lifestyle choices.
Stroke risks such as high blood pressure, heart disease
and TIAs respond to medical intervention. Risk factors of
high cholesterol, obesity, inactivity, smoking, and drinking
alcohol can be controlled by lifestyle changes. If you lower
salt intake, get more exercise, stop smoking, and take medication
as prescribed by your doctor, your chances of suffering
a stroke decrease dramatically.
One last tip: taking a first aid course or CPR training
can prepare you in case of medical emergency. Improper care
during a health crisis can actually cause more harm than
good, so being alert to symptoms and reacting quickly and
properly can make all the difference. Community groups provide
training classes that can put you in the position to save
a life.
