Overview
- Stroke is also called 'Cerebrovascular Accident'
- It is an acute neurological injury
- It may be due to blood clot (ischemic) or bleeding (hemorrhagic)
- Leads to stoppage of blood supply to a part of brain
- Oxygen supply is decreased
- This initiates 'ischemic cascade'-causes brain cell death/damage
- This results in a cerebral stroke
Causes/Risks
- High Blood Pressure
- Diabetes
- Cigarette smoking
- Heart Disease
Symptoms
- Numbness/weakness of an arm/leg/face/one side of body
- Sudden confusion in speaking/understanding speech
- Impaired vision in one or both eyes
- Sudden headache
- Loss of balance/co-ordination
- Dizziness
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Treatment
- If you suspect stroke, call emergency medical help
- Reassure the patient
- Lay the patient down with head and shoulders slightly elevated
- If patient is not breathing well do a CPR
- Place the patient on the left side if breathing/not responsive
- Keep the chin slightly extended
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Steps To Avoid
- Never give a suspected stroke victim anything to eat/drink
- Do not permit the victim to move
Prevention
- Do regular checkups for BP
- Eat food with less salt
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a balanced, healthy diet
- Take the BP pills regularly
