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Diagnosing and Treating A Stroke
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.If you can get the stroke victim to the hospital within three hours of the attack, the prognosis for full recovery is optimistic.
First, some facts about strokes and who is mmost likely to suffer one.At least one person dies each minute from a stroke in the U.S. Of the 750,000 victims each year, one-third die, and another third suffer permanent paralysis, loss of speech or memory lapses.
Strokes are caused by plaque build up in the arteries or by a plaque fragment that breaks free and lodges in the brain, shutting off the blood supply.
Who’s 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 carry less oxygen to the rest of the body. They adhere to the blood vessel walls,which clogs the arteries to the brain and causes 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.Ask the person to flash a big smile at you. If he’s having a stroke, his smile will be crooked.
2.) Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)(i.e. It is sunny out today). Stroke victims will not be able to do this.
3.See if the victim can Raise Both Arms. He’ll just be able to raise one.
4.Ask the person to stick out his or her tongue. If the tongue is ‘crooked’, if it goes to one side or the other,that is also an indication of a stroke.
If any of these tasks were a prblem to complete, it’s time to get to the hospital immediately. Start with 911 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 congratulations! You’ll likely survive and escape any permanent damage.
If this happens to you or your friend, consider this a warning, and lifestyle changes and digilence in the future are mandatory.