Warning Signs and Symptoms of a Pending Stroke Attack?

Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain has been halted due to a clot or bleeding into the brain. Therefore, blood is unable to reach all destinations of the brain, resulting in a stroke.  The person experiencing a stroke will begin exhibit signs and symptoms.  Some signs come and go usually within 5 minutes and leaves no lasting effects.  However, symptoms lasting longer may indicate a major stroke is occurring.  Even if symptoms are short lived, it is imperative to get medical help immediately.  If not treated as soon as possible, major brain damage and life long disabilities could result.

What are the signs?

Tingling sensation in the face or extremities
Paralysis or weakness on one side
Difficulty speaking
Inability to understand speech
Blindness
Dizziness
Pain
Nausea/vomiting
Sudden intense headache

If you or anyone around you is having these symptoms, call 911 and get emergency medical help right away.

Stroke risks:

Age – After age 55, the risks double every 10 years.
Family history and ethnicity.
Gender:  Women are less likely than men to suffer a stroke.  
Previous stroke
Atrial Fibrillation
Fractures of the long bone resulting in a fat embolism

Reducing your risks:

Take blood pressure medications as prescribed and monitor your blood pressures.
Reduce high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Monitor blood sugar levels daily before meals and at bedtime.
Increase exercise
Eat a healthy diet
Quit smoking

Diagnosis is determined via CT, MRI, or angiogram.  These tests help to determine what type of stroke has occurred, it’s location, and the extent of damage caused.

Treatment involves clot busters, such as tPA that must be given within hours of onset of symptoms.  Surgical intervention is an option for ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes.

After Care:

Patients who have survived a stroke may require rehabilitation utilizing speech, occupational, and physical therapies. Recovery can take a few days to a year or more to regain lost functions.  

Medications include:

Thrombolytics – Clot busters the lyse or break up blood clots.  the debris is cleaned up by phagocytic cells.
Antiplatelet – Prevents platelet from sticking together, thus preventing clot formation.
Anticoagulants – Stops clots from forming, particularly those with A-fib who are prone to blood clots due to the rapid contractions of the atria of the heart.

If you have other chronic disease present, such as diabetes or hypertension, keeping these values in the normal range will help to prevent, or lessen the likelihood of a stroke event.

Regular exercise 3 days per week will help to reduce hypertension.  High blood pressure is the major cause of stoke and is a factor in hemorrhagic strokes.

Healthy eating consists of a diet containing whole grains and nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and foods low in fat and high in fiber help to lower your risks that cause strokes.

Barb Hicks is a licensed registered nurse who loves to write and share. She has an online classroom at Clivir.com where she shares her knowledge about Stroke Warning Signs and Symptoms and Medication for Stroke.

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