A stroke can occur for any number of reasons. For example, a person could have undiagnosed high blood pressure or hey may have fallen and caused a blood clot to form. A stroke can even occur without any reason or warning. It’s really important to know the signs of a stroke and what you should do in order to take action if someone you know is showing these indications of being a stroke victim.
A Stroke
A stroke occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is interrupted, depriving the brain of oxygen. This can happen in a couple of different ways. A stroke can occur when a major blood vessel is blocked by a clot, called an ischemic stroke. Hemorrhagic strokes occur from bleeding that occurs within the brain. Both of these strokes can cause similar symptoms and similar generally have similar outcomes.
Signs and Symptoms
The most common signs of a stroke include numbness or weakness on one side of the body. This can occur on the face, an arm, a leg or more specific and isolated areas. You may notice a person’s face is sagging slightly on one side. They may also have trouble speaking, be confused and they may even lose consciousness. Warning signs may present themselves prior to the occurrence of an actual stroke. There may be issues of high blood pressure and when a high level of pressure occurs in one or both eyes, pain might be present in one or more limbs and anxiety may be creeping up during the episode.
Take Action
You need to act fast when you suspect that someone is having a stroke. Early detection is key to a successful outcome. Call 911 immediately if any of these symptoms are present. A doctor will run some quick tests to determine if a stroke has occurred. Once this diagnosis has taken place, there are some treatment options that can be used to stop the stroke, treat the stroke and help minimize the amount of long-term damage a person will sustain. The longer you wait, the more permanent the side effects may be.
A stroke occurs once every 40 seconds in the United States. Every four minutes, someone will die from a stroke. While a stroke can be deadly, it can also be treatable with early intervention. Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speed therapy can all help a person recover from having a stroke.
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