Recognizing Signs Of A Stroke Could Save Life
Diagnosis and Treatment of 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.Every minute, someone in the United States has a stroke. There are nearly 3/4 of a million people who suffer strokes each year in the U.S. alone. A third of them die and another third suffer permanent disability of some sort.
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.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for having a stroke are
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 unable to carry as much oxygen to the rest of the body. They also can stick to the walls of the blood vessels, which can block arteries to the brain, causing a stroke.
Prior stroke victims are more likely to suffer another stroke than the general population.
Diagnosing A Stroke
A simple four-question quiz will tell you if someone you’re with is having a stroke
1.See if the individual can smile at you. If he’s having a stroke, he won’t be able to smile normally–his smile wille be distorted.
2.) Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)(i.e. It’s a beautiful day today. Stroke victims will not be able to do this.
3.) Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS. He’ll only be able to raise one.
4.) Ask him to STICK OUT HIS TONGUE. If the person can’t stick his tongue out straight, then it’s likely a stroke is the cause.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
Another symptom of a TIA or “mini stroke” is a feeling that one of your legs or arms is heavier than the other and walking or climbing up the stairs becomes difficult.The victim might fall as he climbs the stairs because one leg just didn’t clear the stair all the way, resulting in tripping. 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 you or the person you’re with has these signs, get to a hospital immediately as it’s a matter of life and death.You’ll go to the head of the line for immediate tests and treatment if necessary. And this was your lucky day! The odds are you will survive and not experience any permanent damage.
But, remember, if this happens as I’ve described, you have been given a warning and need to take preventative measures to ensure you’ll live your full life.
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
