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.Strokes kill one person each minute in the U.S. alone. Nearly 775,000 persons have strokes in the U.S. each year. A third of them die and another third suffer permanent paralysis,speech loss,and/or memory loss.
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.Stroke is more common among persons over 65, but it also hits younger persons as well.
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.
Signs of A Stroke
A simple four-question quiz will tell you if someone you’re with is having a stroke
1.) Ask the individual to SMILE. 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. Ann is a great homemaker. If the person is having a stroke, he will find this difficult to do.
3.See if the victim can Raise Both Arms. He’ll just be able to raise one.
4.) Ask him to STICK OUT HIS TONGUE. If the victim’s tongue looks crooked or doesn’t stick out straight, the odds are that a stroke has happened to him.
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.
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 trip when climbing the stairs because one leg didn’t 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 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 get top priority for getting an immediate diagnosis and treatment. And this was your lucky day! 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.
Related posts:
- Heart Attack and Stroke: Quiet Killers on the Loose
- Automated External Defribillators (AED’s) Save Lives
- Learn How to Cure Heartburn & Acid Reflux Quick & Safe
- Knowing The Signs Of High Blood Pressure In Men And Women
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