A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. It is sometimes referred to as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The brain is starved of oxygen as a result, which causes brain damage and cell death. According to research, incidence of stroke in India ranges between 105 and 152/100,000 persons per year. Every second counts in a stroke, which is a life-threatening emergency situation. Make a quick call to your local emergency services number if you or someone you are with exhibits signs of a stroke. There are more chances of a patient's recovery without disability if there is no delay in availing stroke treatment.
The stroke symptoms can vary, and are related to the part of the brain that is affected. Often, strokes are painless, although headaches are common with hemorrhagic stroke. The classic symptoms of stroke are characterised by weakness of specific body parts, or one or both sides of the body; numbness and sensory loss; altered speech, impaired ability to speak and/or understand the speech; disturbed vision; loss of coordination, and vertigo. To differentiate between other conditions that can resemble stroke, such as seizures, fainting episodes, and low blood sugar, a patient's medical history and physical examination are necessary for an accurate diagnosis. Learn about the immediate actions to help someone having a brain stroke. This understanding can save the lives of your loved ones or someone who is experiencing a stroke in front of you.
Also Read: Heat Stroke: Symptoms, Treatments, And Prevention Tips
What is Brain Stroke?
A condition when the blood flow that carries oxygen to the brain is abruptly cut off is called stroke. This usually happens when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing blood to leak into the areas surrounding the brain cells. According to a report, approximately 795,000 people worldwide suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. For the brain to work properly, it needs oxygen and nourishment. Brain cells begin to die when the brain's blood supply is cut off. Disability, serious brain damage, and even death could result from this. Strokes are mainly of two types, ischemic stroke and haemorrhagic stroke. Of all stroke instances, 85% are ischaemic strokes. It happens when the blood supply to the brain is blocked by a blood clot. The severity of haemorrhagic stroke is higher which happens due to rupturing of blood vessels. Transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs), in which the blood supply to the brain is temporarily cut off, are a less common kind of stroke. Strokes are more likely to occur in people with certain medical disorders. These include atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, diabetes, and elevated blood cholesterol.Causes of Brain Stroke
There are numerous causes of stroke. Blood clots are typically the cause of ischaemic strokes. Abnormal blood clot formation is associated with following reasons:- Atherosclerosis
- Clotting disorders
- Atrial fibrillation
- Heart defects
- Microvascular ischemic disease
- High blood pressure
- Brain aneurysms
- Brain tumors (including cancer)
- Diseases that weaken or cause unusual changes in your brain’s blood vessels, such as moyamoya disease.
Warning Signs or Symptoms of Stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency. The faster a stroke is managed, the lesser will be the damage as every moment counts. Call a local emergency number immediately if you or someone in front of you is experiencing signs or symptoms of a stroke. Use F.A.S.T. to remember warning signs of stroke:- F-Face: Drooping of one side of the face.
- A-Arms: Extreme weakness or numbness in one arm, one arm lower when the person tries to raise both arms.
- S-Speech: Slurred speech slurred or inability to understand. The person is unable to repeat simple sentences.
- T-Time: Do not delay getting emergency medical help.
First Aid for Stroke; What Can You Do on the Spot?
Learn the critical first aid steps to support a stroke victim while waiting for emergency medical help to arrive.Steps to Follow After Calling Emergency Medical Help
1. Stay Calm- Remain composed to handle the situation effectively.
- Check the surrounding area for hazards like moving vehicles or other dangers.
- Ask for their name or other questions.
- If they cannot speak, ask them to squeeze your hand.
- If there’s no response, assume they are unconscious.
- Positioning: Place them in a comfortable position, preferably on their side with head and shoulders slightly raised and supported. Avoid moving them unnecessarily.
- Clothing: Loosen tight clothing such as collars or scarves.
- Warmth: Cover them with a blanket or coat if they are cold.
- Airway Check: Ensure their airway is clear. If obstructed, position them on their side in the recovery position.
- Reassure: Keep the person calm by telling them help is on the way.
- No Food or Drink: Do not offer any food or liquids.
- Observe Symptoms: Monitor for changes in condition and note symptoms to share with emergency personnel.
- Track Time: Try to remember when symptoms started.
- Move them into the recovery position:
- Kneel beside them and position their arms and legs as described.
- Support their head and roll them onto their side.
- Tilt their head forward to allow drainage and clear their mouth if needed.
- Lift their chin and tilt their head backward.
- Look, listen, and feel for breathing.
Recovery Position Steps
- Kneel beside the person.
- Position their farthest arm at a right angle to their body.
- Place the other arm across their chest.
- Keep the farthest leg straight and bend the nearest leg at the knee.
- Roll the person onto their side, ensuring their top leg is bent with the knee touching the ground.
- Tilt their head forward and clear the airway if necessary.
Performing CPR
1. For Untrained Individuals- Perform hands-only CPR:
- Emergency care personnel can guide you on the phone if needed.
- Perform high-quality chest compressions and rescue breaths at a ratio of 30 compressions to 2 breaths, using a mouth guard if available.
- Use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) if accessible to check heart rhythm and deliver shocks if needed.
Brain Stroke Treatment
Numerous factors affect how a stroke is treated. The type of stroke a person gets is the most crucial component in deciding how they will be treated.- Ischemic: Restoring circulation to the impacted brain regions is of utmost importance in cases of treated ischaemic stroke. Sometimes this can stop irreversible damage or at least lessen the severity of a stroke if it occurs quickly enough. Thrombolytics are a class of drug that is typically used to restore circulation, but catheterisation may also be necessary.
- Hemorrhagic: The location and extent of the bleeding determine the course of treatment for hemorrhagic strokes. Lowering blood pressure will lessen the amount of bleeding and prevent it from getting worse, this is often the main priority. Improving coagulation to halt the bleeding is an additional therapy option. Sometimes, surgery is required to remove accumulated blood pressure from your head.
Conclusion
A stroke is an acute medical condition that can be fatal since it is the brain’s version of a heart attack. Additionally, strokes require immediate medical attention; failure to do so may result in death or irreversible brain damage. Strokes can be terrifying for those who experience them or people nearby. However, due to new drugs, technical advancements in imaging, and our growing understanding of the brain, the possibilities for treating stroke are growing constantly. Getting medical help right away is essential if you or someone you're with exhibits the signs of a stroke. The likelihood that a stroke will have limited or even reversible symptoms increases with the pace at which the patient receives medical attention.To know more about immediate actions to help someone having a brain stroke reach out to our experts at Asian Heart Hospital for accurate information. Book your appointment now! Looking for a neurologist in Mumbai? Contact us today to consult with our experienced specialists.
FAQs
Q1: What is the first treatment for a brain stroke?A: During the first 24 hours following a stroke, the treatment includes: medication to break up blood clots in the brain (thrombolysis), surgery to remove a blood clot (thrombectomy), or draining fluid from the brain. a process to prevent pressure from increasing inside the brain or skull.
Q2: What is the at-home stroke first aid protocol?
A: With their head and shoulders slightly lifted and supported by a pillow or piece of clothing, they should ideally be lying on their side. Avoid moving them after this. Any tight garments, including scarves or buttoned shirt collars, should be loosened. If they're cold, keep them warm with a coat or blanket.
Q3. Should I give a stroke patient any food, water, or medication?
A: No, do not give the person anything to eat, drink, or any medication. This can complicate their condition and potentially worsen the situation.
