How to recognize a stroke?

Symptoms of a stroke

The onset of a stroke is usually asymptomatic. But after a few minutes, brain cells deprived of nutrition begin to die, and the consequences of the stroke become noticeable.

Common symptoms of a stroke:

sudden weakness in the face, arm, or leg, most often on one side of the body;
sudden blurred consciousness, problems with speech or with understanding speech;
sudden vision problems in one or both eyes
sudden gait disturbance, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination;
sudden severe headache for an unknown reason.

How to recognize a stroke?

Remember the SLR: ask the person
Smile – Make sure the smile is there and symmetrical
Speak – Make sure the person is speaking connected
Raise Arms – Make sure your hands are level

Remember! Every minute counts. 3-6 hours! The time from the onset of the first symptoms when it is possible to avoid the development of irreversible changes in the brain.

First aid for stroke

The World Health Organization recommends the following procedure for providing first aid to a person with a suspected stroke:

Call an ambulance. It is not recommended to take a person to the hospital on your own.
Note the time of onset of stroke signs. This information will help the medical team choose emergency therapy tactics.
Open the window, unfasten the collar on the victim's clothes, loosen the belt.
Organize complete rest for the patient. It is forbidden to give water and carry a sick person.
Try to sit the person down or fix him in a reclining position, putting a pillow or clothes rolled up in a roller under the back. Do not lay the patient on his stomach, raise his legs above head level.
Put any container next to it in case of vomiting.
If possible, measure heart rate, blood pressure.
Do not make sudden movements, do not fuss, do not get nervous, so that the anxiety state is not transmitted to the patient.

Stroke prevention

"To prevent cerebral circulation disorders, it is necessary to control your blood pressure, maintain blood sugar and cholesterol levels within normal limits. These rules are of particular importance for the elderly, since with age there are changes in the cerebral vessels: they lose elasticity, become stiff, and the lumen of the vessels narrows", - explains Zhanar Sabyrdilda.

What are the types of strokes?

Experts distinguish two types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic.

Ischemic stroke, or cerebral infarction, is the most common type of cerebral circulation disorder. People with heart rhythm disorders or heart valve disease are at risk.

In a hemorrhagic stroke, the vessel wall ruptures, and blood saturates the brain tissues. The disease can develop due to high blood pressure.

Also among the ways to prevent stroke: quitting smoking and alcohol abuse, an active lifestyle, reducing stress levels and proper nutrition.