What is a stroke?
A stroke is a medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is reduced or cut off completely. A stroke is very dangerous and could be life threatening if not seen immediately. It is important to spot the signs as soon as possible as the earlier it is noticed, the less damage it will cause.
What are the symptoms?
Speech – Slurred speech or may not be able to talk at all and they may find it difficult understanding what you’re saying.
Collapsed face – Someone experiencing a stroke may have one side of their face dropped and may not be able to smile, their eye and mouth may have dropped as well.
Arms – Someone having a suspected stroke may not be able to lift and keep their arms in the air as one arm may be weakened or numb.
Loss of/blurry vision
Severe headaches
Hard to walk steadily
If you notice these signs, it is very vital to phone 999 immediately.
What are some things that can cause a stroke?
Interruption of blood flow in the brain.
Disease in the brain such as a brain aneurysm, vasospasm, cerebrovascular disease and arteriovenous malformation.
Heart disease
Smoking
Drugs
High dose of medication
Older age (however it doesn’t stop experiencing them younger as well)
The 3 different types of strokes:
Transient ischaemic attack
Haemorrhagic stroke
Ischaemic stroke
A transient ischaemic attack is also known as a mini stroke. It is the same symptoms as a normal stroke, however these symptoms only last for a small period of time. This type of stroke occurs because the blockage that stops the blood flowing to your brain is temporary.
A haemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding in your brain or around it.
An ischaemic stroke is the most common type of stroke and this occurs when a blockage is cutting off or reducing the blood supply to your brain.
How is a stroke treated?
For transient ischaemic attack or ischaemic stroke, it is usually treated with medication or surgery, although both may be an option. For a haemorrhagic stroke, surgery is recommended. You may receive emergency care when you get to the hospital, treatment to prevent a stroke occurring again, rehabilitation to treat the side effects, or all of the above.
What to expect after a stroke:
Paralysis in one side of the body or weakness
Numbness
Depression
Bladder problems
Difficulty thinking
Memory issues
Trouble learning and understanding
Issues chewing and swallowing
What types of stroke rehabilitation is there afterwards?
Physical therapy
Speech therapy
Occupational therapy
Can you prevent having a stroke?
This might not stop all risk of having a stroke as there are many ways that come with risks, although there are things that can help you lower your risk. There are many ways that can help to reduce your risk of experiencing a stroke, which include:
Exercise
A healthy diet
No smoking
Cut down on alcohol usage
Control medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease
Are strokes different for males and females?
Strokes tend to affect women more than men due to having more risk factors like problems during pregnancy and birth control whilst being a smoker. Strokes are more severe for women and they are more likely to die from a stroke than men are. They also are more likely to have a stroke later in life.
How to help someone after they have had a stroke
Provide emotional support – Having a stroke is a scary thing for all parties involved, but imagine how the victim is feeling. Be there for them as much as you can, they need it.
Help them with physiotherapy – It’s important to go at their own pace with this. Every stroke survivor is different and it can be really stressful for the victim being weak and they may struggle. They will have a physiotherapist that will be there to help them with things they may struggle with after having a stroke.
Adapting to their needs – This may be helping them with something they can’t do anymore or slowing down your communication if they can’t understand what you are saying.
Try and motivate them – Let them know you are there for them and they can make a full recovery, but don’t rush them. It is a very traumatic experience and can be hard to wrap their head around.
Be patient – Every survivor is different and recover differently. Don’t rush them or make them feel bad for not being able to get the hang of something. It can be very stressful looking after a loved one after they’ve experienced a stroke and it is so important to be patient with them.
Be positive – It is important to be positive for their recovery and to help them stay motivated. Seeing someone feeling or looking negative may push them back a step and give up on their recovery.
What happens if you don’t treat a stroke immediately?
The longer a stroke is left untreated, the more damage it will create. Strokes can cause physical, permanent damage if not seen as soon as possible. It can cause brain damage, disability and even increases the chance of mortality, which is why it is absolutely vital to spot the signs of a stroke and get treated immediately. For every minute you leave a stroke untreated, up to 2 million brain cells die.
Age does not matter
Many people believe that you can only have a stroke in older age, but even people as young as a teenager can experience a stroke. It all depends on the individual’s risk factors. It is so important to spot the signs of a stroke to get the best treatment possible and to be able to make a speedy, full recovery.
Emotional changes afterwards
There are many significant changes after a stroke both physically and emotionally. Some emotional changes after having a stroke may include:
Depression
Anxiety
Anger
Frustration
Suicidal thoughts
Difficulty in controlling your feelings
Low mood and feelings of despair
Grief and loss of yourself
Panic attacks
It is absolutely vital to notice the signs and get treated immediately if you suspect you or someone else is having a stroke. It can be hard to remember the signs, so think of it as F.A.S.T.
F – Face droop
A – Arms, unable to lift both arms and keep them there
S – Slurred speech or unable to communicate
T – Time, ring 999 immediately if experiencing any of these symptoms