Stroke is a leading cause of death throughout the United States. The American Stroke Association suggests it is the fourth leading cause of death and disability in the U.S., and it can happen very fast. A recent Next Avenue post had some insights that are helpful to any household. Surviving a stroke is doable, if you are educated and prepared.
What Is It?
There are two basics kinds of strokes. Ischemic strokes occur most frequently. A blood clot stops blood flow to the brain in cases like these. Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when the brain’s blood vessels break and bleeding occurs in the brain.
What Does it Look Like?
Strokes have very noticeable symptoms. Often there is a sudden sense of numbness or weakness on one side of the body. It’s usually noticed in the face, arm, or leg. Sometimes there is confusion, too. You may notice the individual has trouble speaking or even understanding. The person could also have trouble seeing or difficulty walking. Maintaining balance is usually an issue, too. Occasionally a severe headache will occur as well.
There are other potential symptoms of stroke, though they tend to be less frequent. The patient may feel a sudden round of nausea or experience a brief loss of consciousness. Sudden pain in the face or limbs could also be a sign of stroke. Shortness of breath may also signal the onset of a stroke.
There are a few of simple tests to decide if it’s a stroke:
- Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- Ask the person to raise his arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- Ask the person to say a simple sentence. Watch for garbled words and slurred speech.
If any of these symptoms are present, call 911 emergency services .
The sooner medical attention arrives, the more likely it is that the person will fully or mostly recover. Educating those around you will help in surviving a stroke.
Here is a handy reference chart:
To learn more about stroke and what you can do to help an individual experiencing a stroke with this Next Avenue post.
David York Agency Helps Seniors
David York Agency (DYA) is skilled at recognizing the symptoms of various diseases endemic to the elderly and makes every effort to send caring and compassionate home health aides into the client’s home. DYA provides certified home health aide services for the elderly in their home and is abreast of all the latest guidelines and trends for seniors. We would be happy to discuss your case with you. Please call for a free phone consultation today at 908.373.5300 and browse our website. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
