Signs Of A Stroke

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.The odds of not only surviving a stroke but recovering from one are dramatically increased if you get the stroke victim to a hospital within three hours of the attack.

First, some facts about strokes and who is mmost likely to suffer one.Every minute, someone in the United States has a stroke. 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

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.

Signs of A Stroke

A simple four-question quiz will tell you if someone you’re with is having a stroke

1.Ask the person to flash a big smile at you. 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. Tom is a terrific teenager. A stroke victim will not be able to do this easily.
3.See if the person can raise both arms over his head. He’ll only be able to raise one.
4.Ask the person to stick out his or her 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.

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 get top priority for getting an immediate diagnosis and treatment. And congratulations! You’ll likely survive and escape 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.