A stroke is a serious medical condition which is life threatening and very worrying when it happens to you or a member of your family. It happens when blood supply to a part of your brain is cut off killing brain cells and needs to be treated in hospital as soon as possible; the sooner the person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen.
Stroke Warning Signs
F A S T
Face – is the face drooping/dropped on one side? Can the person smile? Is their eye also drooped?
Arms – can the person lift both arms up and keep them there? Is there weakness or numbness in one of their arms
Speech – is their speech slurred or garbled? Is the person able to speak despite being awake? Are they showing signs of confusion and not understanding what you are saying to them?
Time – act fast, dial 999 immediately if you see any signs or symptoms, the sooner you react, the better for the patient.
Other symptoms of stoke:
The FAST test helps to spot the three most common symptoms, but there are other signs to be aware of including:
- Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, including legs, hands or feet.
- Difficulty finding words or speaking in clear sentences.
- Sudden blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes.
- Sudden memory loss or confusion, and dizziness or a sudden fall.
- A sudden, severe headache.
Types of Stroke
- Ischaemic – the more common type of stroke, this is where blood supply is stopped because of a blood clot. 85% of cases are ischaemic strokes
- Haemorrhagic – a weakened blood vessel supplying he brain bursts
- Transient Ischaemic Attack (ITA) – the blood supply to the brain is temporarily interrupted. This is called a mini-stroke and can last for a few minutes or up to 24 hours. A TIA should still be treated as urgent, as they are often a sign that you are at risk of a stroke in the near future. Seek medical advice as soon as possible, even if the symptoms appear to get better.
Recovery
Survivors of a stroke are often left with problems that need long term care and support because of the injury that has happened to the brain.
Some people need a long period of rehabilitation before they can return to their former independence, and sadly some never fully recover and need ongoing support following their stroke.
A Hub Care Support PA can help with ongoing support including help with daily activities such as help with washing and dressing, companionship, meal preparation as well as providing peace of mind to the other members of the family.
Support
Quality, consistent care is what Hub Care Support can provide, click here to find out more.
For more information about strokes, visit the NHS website or the Stroke Association
