12 Early Signs of Stroke
by Sharon McCullouch First Aid courses SydneyIf you’re with someone, especially elderly
people and they are experiencing sudden weakness and numbness, it would be
easy to assume they are just tired, and the symptoms will pass after a nap.
However, these may be signs – “early signs” – of stroke.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death
in Australia and a major cause of severe, lifelong disability. It occurs when
the blood flow into the brain is interrupted (ischemic stroke) or when the
blood vessels in the brain bursts open (hemorrhagic stroke). Some people fully
recover completely from strokes, but more than half of stroke survivors are
often left with lifelong effects.
The key to lower the chance of disability
and death is the early recognition of stroke symptoms. Did you know that there
are multiple ways to tell if someone is experiencing a stroke? The acronym
F.A.S.T helps you easily identify the common first signs of a stroke for both men
and women.
Here are the common signs and symptoms as
well as ‘early signs’ that someone may exhibit if having a stroke:
1.
Face Drooping
Each letter of the acronym
F.A.S.T. represents a symptom and "F" refers to the face.
The face of the stroke victim may sag or go numb during an attack. To confirm, ask the person
suspected of the stroke to smile and see if the one side is drooping. Someone
manifesting the symptom may have an uneven smile and the corner of their mouth
tend to droop.
2.
Arm Weakness
“A” stands for the arms.
In the event of a stroke, the arms may feel extreme numbness or weakness. A
stroke sufferer is usually not able to lift and hold both arms for a period of
time. Even if they do, one arm will tend to drift downward.
3.
Slurred Speech
“S” stands for speech.
People suffering a stroke may slur their speech or have difficulty speaking at
all. Unable to articulate simple words and repeat a simple sentence are red
flags on this symptom.
4.
Time
The “T” in F.A.S.T is not
a symptom. It stands for ‘time’ and means that you should call 000 right away
if all the symptoms above were present.
5.
Confusion
Someone suffering a stroke
will appear confused and have difficulty to express themselves. This is due to
the insufficient blood flow to the part of the brain responsible for language.
6.
Vision problems
Stroke has an effect on
the vision. The person will usually have blurry vision and have trouble with
eyesight in one or both eyes.
7.
Muscle stiffness
Stroke occasionally
impairs the cerebellum which controls the balance, movement, and coordination
of the body. Stroke victims will experience muscle stiffness and may result in
loss of balance.
8.
Difficulty Breathing
Before the onset of a
stroke, the person may frequently have trouble breathing or shortness of
breath. If this symptom suddenly appears with no good reason, it’s best to seek
emergency medical help.
9.
Violent headaches
Stroke causes headaches
that is more painful than the usual ones.
10.
Hiccups
Persistent hiccups may
indicate the onset of a stroke. So, pay attention to your hiccups.
11.
Nausea or vomiting
Someone having a stroke
attack may suddenly feel nauseous and start vomiting. This two may also be
accompanied by severe headaches and dizziness.
12.
Behavioral change
Feeling upset and agitated
may strike suddenly and without a cause.
If you see someone who may be having these
‘early signs’ remember to think and act F.A.S.T! When it comes to spotting and
treating stroke, the faster, the better. Immediate first aid treatment can make
the difference between life and death — or the difference between a full
recovery and long-term disability.
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Created on May 31st 2019 04:56. Viewed 378 times.