One of the leading causes of sudden death is a stroke, even though this can be prevented and treated. The main reason why this is an issue is, many people do not know what to look out for when a patient has a stroke. By recognizing the warning signs, you can get to a hospital and get treated before it is too late.
Reasons Why People Get a Stroke
One thing that scares so many people when it comes to a stroke is that there are little to no warning signs before the stroke happens. By the time there are noticeable symptoms of stroke, it might already be too late. These are the main causes of stroke:
- Ischemic stroke- A blocked artery causes this type of stroke
- Hemorrhagic stroke- This stroke is caused by a bleeding blood vessel
The thing with a stroke is, you might be at risk of it for years and will never know. The only way to take care of it is to get medical attention as soon as you start showing signs of a stroke.
The Five Warning Signs of a Stroke
One of the things many people find easy to miss is the warning sign that someone is having a stroke.
- Numbness in the arms, face, and legs. It often happens on either the left or right side of the body.
- Slurred speech or lack of comprehension of common phrases
- Blurry vision, especially in one eye or at times, both eyes
- Imbalance or dizziness
- Severe headache that doesn’t seem to go away
Having one of these signs might not be a sign of a stroke, but it still helps if you get to a doctor if you notice these symptoms. They last anywhere from a couple of hours to days. The longer the symptoms stay on, the severe the stroke. You will often realize that you cannot talk or feel numb on one side of your body. You might also have issues with eating because you cannot close your mouth properly. You should get it checked out to rule out a stroke in such a scenario.
How To React to the Signs
If you realize that you or someone close to you is experiencing these signs, you need to act fast. The longer their brain stays without oxygen, the higher the chances of you getting permanent brain damage. Here is what you need to do when you realize you or someone close to you has the signs above. The acronym for the next steps is F.A.S.T.
- Face- Check to see if the person’s face is drooping when they smile. If you notice a droop or an uneven smile, then they might be having a stroke
- Arms- Ask the person to raise their hands and look at the level of where the arms have been raised to. If one arm is higher or keeps falling, the person might have had a stroke.
- Speech- Talk to the person or ask them to repeat a simple sentence or phrase. Listen to how they pronounce the words and talk with a slur. If the person cannot remember a simple phrase or talks with a serious slur, they might have a stroke.
- Time- When you notice these signs, note the time before you ask the person to perform these exercises. Doing so will ensure you give accurate information when you get to the ER.
Why You Should See a Doctor for a Stroke
Even though there will be instances where these symptoms will pass, it is good to see a doctor immediately. A doctor will ascertain whether these effects resulted from a stroke or a TIA- transient ischemic attack, commonly known as a mini-stroke. Not getting medical attention can be fatal and often leads to instant death or brain death.
Conclusion
A stroke can be life-threatening if you do not get medical attention. For this reason, it helps if you get to a doctor or call 911 if you think a loved one is having a stroke. The doctors will be able to administer medication that will prevent the effects of the stroke from getting worse over time.
