Many people suffer from strokes, whether they are older or even quite young. But do you know what causes a stroke? A stroke happens when a blood clot or blocked vessel prevents blood from reaching your brain. This is a medical emergency.
There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and haemorrhagic stroke. It is difficult to predict whether someone will survive a stroke. A stroke can lead to long-term disability or even death. How long it takes to recover from a stroke depends on several factors:
1. The size of the area of the brain that is affected
2. Which part of the brain is involved
3. How quickly the person gets treatment
4. The person's overall health?
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
A person having a stroke may have blurry vision or double vision, headache, dizziness, confusion, or even coma. They might have slurred speech or lose the ability to speak, lose coordination, or have trouble walking. Weakness, paralysis, or numbness on one side of the body are also common signs.
Stroke is a serious and life-threatening condition. The sooner someone gets treatment, the better their chances of survival. How can you recognize the symptoms of a stroke? There is an easy-to-remember acronym that can help you spot stroke symptoms.
The acronym is called “BE FAST”.
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B stands for Balance |
Ask the person to walk or stand and observe if they are unsteady or have trouble walking. |
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E stands for Eyes |
Ask if they have double vision or trouble seeing. |
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F stands for Face |
Ask the person to smile and look for any drooping on one side of their faces. |
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A stands for Arm |
Ask the person to raise both arms and see if any of the arms drifts downward. |
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S stands for Speech |
Ask the person to talk and listen for any slurred speech, or if they have trouble finding words. |
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T stands for Time |
Get medical help right away. Every second matters. |
Why do strokes happen?
We know that stroke is dangerous and can be deadly, but what puts us at risk? Here are some common risk factors:
· Diabetes Mellitus
· Hypertension
· Dyslipidaemia
· Obesity
· Alcohol Use Disorder
· Smoking
· Undiagnosed Heart Conditions such as Atrial Fibrillation
Anyone with these risk factors has a higher chance of having a stroke. To diagnose a stroke, your healthcare provider will take your medical history, do a neurological exam, and order specific tests. Usually, your healthcare provider may order a CT scan or an MRI of the brain to help decide on the best treatment. Unfortunately, many people die or become disabled from a stroke because they do not get treatment quickly enough. Getting help right away improves your chances of recovery and getting back to your normal activities.
Acting quickly can help reduce the risk of more brain damage. If you have an ischemic stroke, treatment may include antiplatelet or fibrinolytic medicines, or sometimes surgery like a mechanical thrombectomy. For a haemorrhagic stroke, treatment focuses on controlling blood pressure and stopping the bleeding in the brain.
Most people need several months to recover after a stroke. Rehabilitation plays a key role in stroke recovery. You may need different types of therapy, such as speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or cognitive rehabilitation.
Around 80% of strokes can be prevented.
Looking after your overall health is the best way to reduce your risk of stroke. Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly help keep blood flowing well to your brain. Remember to avoid smoking and try to reduce alcohol use, both for yourself and your loved ones.
It is also important to keep your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol at healthy levels. Regular checkups can help you spot these warning signs early, before your risk of stroke goes up.
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