Stroke: Identification, Diagnosis, and Prevention
A stroke is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain.
This can be due to lack of blood flow caused by a blockage or a hemorrhage.
The result is the affected area of the brain is unable to function, leading to inability to move one or more limbs on one side of the body, inability to understand or formulate speech, or an inability to see one side of the visual field.
Strokes are medical emergencies.
They can cause permanent neurological damage and death.
Strokes are the leading cause of adult disability in the United States and Europe and the second leading cause of death worldwide.
According to the American Heart Association, if you notice one or more of these signs, don't wait.
A stroke is a medical emergency.
Call 9-1-1.
Get to a hospital right away.
If you feel a sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body,) sudden confusion, or trouble speaking or understanding, you might be experiencing a stroke.
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, can also be signs of a stroke.
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause can also be a warning sign.
Be prepared for an emergency, of any kind, by keeping a list of emergency rescue service numbers next to the telephone and in your pocket, wallet or purse.
You can find out which area hospitals are primary stroke centers that have 24-hour emergency stroke care and keep their number available and clearly marked.
Know in advance which hospital or medical facility is closest to your home or office.
In an emergency, take action; not all the warning signs occur in every stroke.
Don't ignore signs of stroke, even if they go away.
It's important to check the time.
When did the first warning sign or symptom start? You'll be asked this question later by professionals.
If you have one or more stroke symptoms that last more than a few minutes, immediately call 9-1-1.
If you're with someone who is having stroke symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately or Emergency Medical Services.
Even if the person protests, take action.
Various systems have been proposed to increase recognition of stroke by patients, relatives and emergency first responders, but research has proved that common symptoms listed are most effective in pre-diagnosing a stroke and getting a patient into medical care faster.
For people already in the emergency room, early recognition of stroke is important because it can expedite diagnostic tests and treatments.
A scoring system called ROSIER (recognition of stroke in the emergency room) is recommended for this purpose; it is based on features from the medical history and physical examination.
Actual diagnosis of a stroke can be performed with several techniques at a health facility or hospital: a neurological examination, CT scans or MRI scans, Doppler ultrasound, and arteriography.
There is no commonly used blood test for the stroke diagnosis itself yet, though blood tests can help in finding out the likely cause of stroke.
Strokes are most often caused by cardiovascular disease, most commonly hypertension caused by artery hardening.
They can also often be caused by high cholesterol levels, which can often be brought on by poor lifestyle choices, including smoking, sedentary lifestyle, heavy alcohol consumption and heavy sugar consumption.
Type 2 Diabetes has been known to increase cholesterol levels and contribute to strokes.
Because strokes affect the brain, if the result is not death, disability often occurs.
Not only is physical disability possible, but often emotional and psychological damage can be done.
Some patients develop seizures, others psychosis and depression.
According to the American Psychiatric Press, 75% of stroke survivors become disabled, mentally or physically by the attack.
The only cure for strokes currently, is prevention and education.
This can be due to lack of blood flow caused by a blockage or a hemorrhage.
The result is the affected area of the brain is unable to function, leading to inability to move one or more limbs on one side of the body, inability to understand or formulate speech, or an inability to see one side of the visual field.
Strokes are medical emergencies.
They can cause permanent neurological damage and death.
Strokes are the leading cause of adult disability in the United States and Europe and the second leading cause of death worldwide.
According to the American Heart Association, if you notice one or more of these signs, don't wait.
A stroke is a medical emergency.
Call 9-1-1.
Get to a hospital right away.
If you feel a sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body,) sudden confusion, or trouble speaking or understanding, you might be experiencing a stroke.
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, can also be signs of a stroke.
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause can also be a warning sign.
Be prepared for an emergency, of any kind, by keeping a list of emergency rescue service numbers next to the telephone and in your pocket, wallet or purse.
You can find out which area hospitals are primary stroke centers that have 24-hour emergency stroke care and keep their number available and clearly marked.
Know in advance which hospital or medical facility is closest to your home or office.
In an emergency, take action; not all the warning signs occur in every stroke.
Don't ignore signs of stroke, even if they go away.
It's important to check the time.
When did the first warning sign or symptom start? You'll be asked this question later by professionals.
If you have one or more stroke symptoms that last more than a few minutes, immediately call 9-1-1.
If you're with someone who is having stroke symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately or Emergency Medical Services.
Even if the person protests, take action.
Various systems have been proposed to increase recognition of stroke by patients, relatives and emergency first responders, but research has proved that common symptoms listed are most effective in pre-diagnosing a stroke and getting a patient into medical care faster.
For people already in the emergency room, early recognition of stroke is important because it can expedite diagnostic tests and treatments.
A scoring system called ROSIER (recognition of stroke in the emergency room) is recommended for this purpose; it is based on features from the medical history and physical examination.
Actual diagnosis of a stroke can be performed with several techniques at a health facility or hospital: a neurological examination, CT scans or MRI scans, Doppler ultrasound, and arteriography.
There is no commonly used blood test for the stroke diagnosis itself yet, though blood tests can help in finding out the likely cause of stroke.
Strokes are most often caused by cardiovascular disease, most commonly hypertension caused by artery hardening.
They can also often be caused by high cholesterol levels, which can often be brought on by poor lifestyle choices, including smoking, sedentary lifestyle, heavy alcohol consumption and heavy sugar consumption.
Type 2 Diabetes has been known to increase cholesterol levels and contribute to strokes.
Because strokes affect the brain, if the result is not death, disability often occurs.
Not only is physical disability possible, but often emotional and psychological damage can be done.
Some patients develop seizures, others psychosis and depression.
According to the American Psychiatric Press, 75% of stroke survivors become disabled, mentally or physically by the attack.
The only cure for strokes currently, is prevention and education.
