Stroke ranks third behind only heart disease and cancer as a cause of death in the United States. Ischemic stroke, the most common type, occurs when a blood clot blocks blood vessels, cutting off the brain’s supply of oxygen. In a hemorrhagic stroke, a blood vessel bursts, leading to bleeding in or around the brain. Both types of strokes can have devastating results. Besides killing you, stroke can also affect your motor skills, speech, memory, behavior, senses, and thought processes depending on which parts of your brain are damaged. Older people, african-americans, men, and those with a family history of stroke are at higher risk. Other risk factors include obesity, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. With a stroke, every second counts. The longer oxygen remains cut off from your brain, the more damage occurs. Often, acting quickly can be the difference between life and death. That’s why it’s so important to know the signs of a stroke and how to respond to a brain attack.
Spotting the Signs of Stroke
When it comes to recognizing a stroke, experts want you to act quickly. If you suddenly have trouble with coordination, blurred vision, numbness or weakness in your face or arms, or slurred speech, you should seek medical care immediately.
Is it a ministroke or a dizzy spell? Sometimes it’s hard to tell, but knowing if you’re facing a health emergency or just having a bad day could save your life. Problems like low blood sugar, migraines, and minor seizures can mimic symptoms of a ministroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
Symptoms may only last a few minutes. But instead of self-diagnosing, go to the hospital ASAP. Or call 911 if you notice any of the eight telltale symptoms that a stroke is underway or has occurred.
- Sudden, severe headache
- Weakness or numbness in the leg, arm or face
- Mental confusion
- Memory loss
- Dizziness, drowsiness, or falls
- Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
- Loss or blurring of vision
- Nausea and vomiting
What Causes a Stroke?
A stroke damages your brain the way a heart attack damages your heart. Some strokes are caused by blood clots that block the flow of blood to the brain (ischemic stroke), while others happen when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures (hemorrhagic stroke). As with a heart attack, fast action can save your life.
Two-thirds of all stroke victims are over 65.Risk factors include a personal or family history of stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Smoking and a lack of exercise are also major factors.
Recovering From Stroke
After a stroke, you’ll face physical and emotional obstacles. You may need to learn new ways to perform day-to-day activities. You must cope with fatigue and depression. But as serious as these side effects are, remember, you aren’t helpless and you aren’t alone.
Depression is a common result of stroke, however, feeling hopeless can keep you from recovering your life and your health. There are several reasons why you’re glum. Chemical imbalances that can occur as a result of stroke sometimes cause depression. For other stroke survivors, the stress and frustration of recovery can be almost too much to bear. Finding support for depression is an important part of recovery.
Losing your ability to swallow is a condition called dysphagia. It can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and even pneumonia caused by inhaling food or liquid. If you chew or swallow more slowly than before, or if eating feels like a workout, you could have dysphagia. Ask your doctor to recommend a speech or language pathologist. They’ll give you specific exercises to improve strength and coordination in your face and neck.Also, try these self-help tips.
- Eat sitting up or leaning forward with your chin either parallel to the table or tucked down.
- Don’t try to wash solid food down with a liquid.
- Take only small sips and bites.
- Choose soft, moist foods and thick liquids. Avoid dry foods and thin liquids.