Strokes are “brain attacks” which occur due to a disturbed blood circulation in some part of the brain. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading reason for adult handicap.
Strokes may be of two types: ischemic and hemorrhagic. The first type includes typical strokes which occur due to a constricting or blocking of the canals to the brain, reducing the blood flow. The other type includes less common strokes which are a result of the hemorrhaging psychological.
However, in order to prevent the extent of brain damage due to the stroke, you need to learn to recognize its symptoms in order to ask for medical help on time. You might help in reducing the damage or handicap and provide more chances for treatment.
The type of stroke determines its symptoms, and they may vary in different people. However, all warning signs happen suddenly, and some of the most common include:
- Trouble strolling, loss of balance or control
- Trouble talking, along with difficulties to understand speech
- Numbness in the arm, leg or face, particularly on one side
- Other common symptoms are the following:
- complete paralysis
- Vision problems on one or both eyes
- Sudden disappointment without a particular cause
In order to recognize the beginning of a stroke, you need to learn the F.A.S.T. acronym, and here is its meaning:
- Face: You should examine whether a side of the face sags, and ask the patient to smile.
- Arms: Ask the patient to lift the arms and see whether one of them drifts downward.
- Speech: Ask the patient to replicate a fundamental phrase and check if the speech is odd or slurry
- Time: Every single minute is of crucial importance, so you should call an ambulance as soon as possible.
You need to remember that the warning signs occur fast and start suddenly, so you should not wait a second for the condition to improve or worsen as soon as you experience some of the symptoms, and immediately seek a clinical assistance.
It would be best to call an ambulance instead of driving to the hospital, as medical employees will start the procedure of saving the life on the way to the hospital.
Moreover, even if you experience these symptoms and they vanish after a few minutes, you should visit your doctor as those short episodes are known as transient ischemic assaults (TIAs) and may increase the risk of a full stroke soon.
Sometimes, people may confuse the symptoms of stroke and migraine, so this is how to differentiate them:
- The warning signs of strokes occur suddenly, while in the case of a migraine, the signs occur gradually and spread.
- Sometimes, the symptoms of a migraine are positive in the form of added stimuli, like viewing flashing lights or zigzag forms. In contrast, TIA signs normally start with unpleasant symptoms, like hearing loss, loss of vision, and loss of limb power.
Strokes can occur regardless of the time or age, but these risk factors elevate the chances:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Age 55 or older
- Cigarette smoking
- Problems such as blood problems, heart problems, or atrial fibrillation
- Migraines with mood, or aesthetic disruptions
- Family history
In order to prevent strokes, you need to avoid the risks and consume a healthy and balanced diet, high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and regularly exercise in order to keep the body healthy.
Source/Reference: www.healthyfoodteam.com
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