STROKE

STROKE
A stroke occurs when there's bleeding into your brain or when normal blood flow to your brain is blocked. Within minutes of being deprived of essential nutrients, brain cells start dying — a process that may continue over the next several hours.
Seek immediate medical assistance. A stroke is a true emergency. The sooner treatment is given, the more likely it is that damage can be minimized. Every moment counts.
In the event of a possible stroke, use FAST to help remember warning signs.
• Face. Does the face droop on one side while trying to smile?
• Arms. Is one arm lower when trying to raise both arms?
• Speech. Can a simple sentence be repeated? Is speech slurred or strange?
• Time. During a stroke every minute counts. If you observe any of these signs, call Emergency or your local emergency number immediately. Always Zero on ahead which Hospital to take in case of this Emergency.
Other signs and symptoms of a stroke include:
A stroke is a condition in which part of the brain is affected by an interruption to the normal blood supply. This can result from a clot in a blood vessel that stops blood passing through to brain tissue. If this condition is recognised at an early stage and hospital care is readily available, drug treatment is able to dissolve the clot, resulting in a full recovery.
Sometimes a stroke is caused by a burst blood vessel when the internal bleeding in the skull causes pressure on brain tissue. These cases are 10%. At first, the patient may have a severe headache, but it can lead to paralysis down one side of the body and even the loss of the ability to speak.
Occasionally a person may have a minor stroke in which there is weakness down one side of the
body and/or loss of speech for a few minutes only. This is called a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and is usually followed by a full recovery. Other attacks may happen later and a major stroke may occur at any time.
Causes of stroke
Symptoms and signs – Not all may be present
• tingling, weakness or numbness down one side of the body
• loss of muscle tone of the face muscles, with dribbling from one side
• blurred or double vision
• nausea
• loss of bladder or bowel control
• loss of speech or the uttering of meaningless
• sounds
• loss of balance and coordination
• deteriorating conscious state or unconsciousness
• headache
Risk factors for stroke include having high blood pressure, having had a previous stroke, smoking, having diabetes and having heart disease. Your risk of stroke increases as you age. more