Symptoms of Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs due to the disruption of the blood supply to the brain. It takes place when the blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds. This blockage prevents oxygen and blood from reaching the tissues of the brain. According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), stroke has become a leading cause of death in the United States. That is why it is very important to have prompt treatment in such conditions. When you take early action, it can reduce the chances of brain damage and other complications and thus prevent death. Knowing the signs and symptoms of the stroke is the first step towards prevention. Read on to understand the symptoms of stroke and how you can reduce its risk.

 

 

Symptoms of Stroke in Men and Women

 

 

·      Sudden numbness or weakness in the one side of the body, especially in the face, arm, or leg

 

·      Loss of vision, coordination, strength, sensation, or speech. Understanding speech can also become difficult during this time.

 

·      Sudden loss of balance along with fever, nausea, or vomiting

 

·      Severe headache with no other cause

 

·      Sudden dizziness, trouble walking

 

·      Seizures

 

·      Sudden behavioural changes

 

 

 

Acting FAST is Essential When Having a Stroke

 

 

Acting F.A.S.T. is quite important so that the patients get the required treatment at the right time. If the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within 3 hours of the early symptoms, treatments work best in such cases. If the patients don't reach the hospital on time, then the stroke patients won't be eligible for this.

 

 

You need to perform a simple test and act F.A.S.T if you think someone might have a stroke:

 

 

F-Face: You need to tell the person to smile and check if one side of the face droops

 

A-Arms: You will have to ask the patient to raise both arms and check whether one arm is weak or sags or drifts downward

 

S-Speech: You need to conduct a speech test by asking the person to repeat a simple phrase and check whether the speech is slurred or strange

 

T-Time: In case you observe any of these signs, you need to call the ambulance right away

 

 

Keep a track of the time when the symptoms appear the first time. This can help the doctors to determine the best treatment option for the patient. Instead of driving the patient to the hospital, immediately call the ambulance so that the treatment can begin as soon as possible.

 

 

 

 

Ways People Can Reduce the Risk of Strokes

 

 

Strokes can occur anytime and anywhere. However, knowing certain tips can help to reduce the risk of strokes. Let's take a look:

 

 

Maintain your Blood Pressure :

Adopt a healthy lifestyle and lower your blood pressure if you want to reduce the risk of strokes. You can even opt for certain medications that will bring down your blood pressure levels. However, constant monitoring is important.

 

 

Avoid the Use of Tobacco :

Smoking and consuming tobacco can thicken your blood, increasing the chances of blood clots. Even passive smoking can cause changes in your body. That is why it is advisable to quit smoking and tobacco if you want to prevent strokes.

 

 

Control your Cholesterol Levels :

Lower the amount of cholesterol and fat especially saturated and trans-fat, in your diet because high levels of LDL or "bad" cholesterol helps in the build-up of plaque that can increase the risk of strokes.

 

 

Control Diabetes :

If you are a diabetic patient, it is very important to keep your condition in control. For this, you can even adopt a healthy diet and exercise regularly to control diabetes.

 

 

Exercising Regularly :

Exercising is a great way to reduce blood pressure, improve the levels of good cholesterol, and enhance your cardiovascular health. Thus, exercising can help to reduce the probability of having a stroke, be it walking, jogging, or swimming,

 

 

Avoiding Illegal Drugs :

There are certain drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, etc., that pose hazardous stroke risks. Also, if you are fond of drinking alcohol, make sure you take it in moderation. Avoiding illegal drugs and limiting alcohol consumption can be helpful for you if you want to decrease the risk factor of having strokes.

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

 

It is imperative to know about the symptoms of stroke if you want to take timely action. However, sometimes medical treatment can take a toll on your expenses. To avoid this situation, you can opt for a health insurance policy such as Reassure. This way, you will be able to provide medical treatment to your dear ones without thinking of the hospitalization expenses. Also, you will be able to reap other benefits such as health check-ups, etc. However, it is very important to choose the right health insurance plan that meets your requirements.