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First Aid For A Stroke: What To Do

First Aid For A Stroke: What To Do

If someone around you is experiencing a Stroke, providing them with proper care until the ambulance arrives can potentially save their life. Here’s a quick guide on the best first aid for Stroke.

Understanding Stroke

Also called a cerebrovascular accident, a Stroke is a type of brain damage caused by an interruption in its blood flow. It occurs when the blood supply to a partIf someone around you is experiencing a Stroke, providing them with proper care until the ambulance arrives can potentially save their life. Here’s a quick guide on the best first aid for Stroke.

Understanding Stroke

Also called a cerebrovascular accident, a Stroke is a type of brain damage caused by an interruption in its blood flow. It occurs when the blood supply to a part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing the brain tissues from getting oxygen and nutrients. When this happens, the brain cells begin to die.

A Stroke requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent brain damage, and post-Stroke recovery includes a combination of Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, and Physical Therapy at the best rehabilitation center in Bangalore.

Early signs of a Stroke

The acronym FAST summarises the classic warning signs of Stroke and represents the following:

  • F (Face) refers to drooping or numbness on one side of the face versus the other. Ask the person to smile to make the drooping more apparent.
  • A (Arms) refers to one arm is weaker or more numb than the other. Ask the individual to raise both arms and hold them for a count of ten. If one arm falls or begins to drop, then this could be a sign of a stroke.
  • S (Stability) refers to steadiness on your feet. Sometimes individuals will fall, feel very dizzy, or fail to stand without assistance. Difficulty maintaining balance, trouble walking, and loss of coordination are all possible stroke symptoms.
  • T (Talking) refers to changes in speech such as slurring or uttering garbled, nonsensical words and an inability to respond appropriately. Individuals experiencing a stroke may be difficult to understand, or they may have difficulty understanding others. Asking the person to repeat a simple sentence helps in such a situation.

The patient may also demonstrate or complain of other symptoms, such as

  • Blurred vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes
  • Dizziness and nausea
  • Tingling or numbness in one side of the body
  • Loss of bladder and bowel control

It is crucial to seek help right away with the onset of a stroke, even if the symptoms may seem to be subtle. The sooner you get medical treatment, the better the patient’s chances of a complete cure.

Things to do when someone around you is having a Stroke

If you have identified that someone around you is having a Stroke, follow these steps to keep them safe while medical help arrives.

  • Call emergency services immediately for an ambulance
  • Help the patient lie down in a safe and comfortable position. Ideally, keep them on their side with their head slightly elevated so that they do not choke if they throw up
  • Perform CPR if the patient is not breathing
  • Loosen any constrictive clothing and take off anything around the neck, like scarves
  • Avoid any food or drink
  • Keep them warm by providing a blanket
  • Avoid moving any limb if the patient complains of weakness in that region
  • Keep observing the patient for any changes in their condition
  • When help arrives, inform medical personnel clearly about when the symptoms began and the nature of the symptoms

Helping someone recover from a Stroke

The post-Stroke recovery process will vary from patient to patient. It typically occurs at an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation facility and focuses on strengthening motor skills and enhancing mobility in affected parts of the body.

The primary caregiver will be responsible for taking the patient to and from the best rehabilitation center in Bangalore and also take care of the patient’s daily needs, including:

  • Arranging doctor’s appointments
  • Arranging for home health care such as a daily nurse
  • Taking care of the patient’s finances and legal needs
  • Making modifications around the home to improve mobility, such as installing grip rails or wheelchair ramps
  • Assisting the patient with personal hygiene and feeding
  • Helping them communicate better
  • Evaluating adult day care or assisted living options as necessary

Having a Stroke is serious, but with prompt treatment and a proper recovery process, the patient can be cured and avoid future Strokes.

https://www.healthline.com/health/stroke/stroke-first-aid
of your brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing the brain tissues from getting oxygen and nutrients. When this happens, the brain cells begin to die.

A Stroke requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent brain damage, and post-Stroke recovery includes a combination of Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, and Physical Therapy at the best rehabilitation center in Bangalore.

Early signs of a Stroke

The acronym FAST summarises the classic warning signs of Stroke and represents the following:

  • F (Face) refers to drooping or numbness on one side of the face versus the other. Ask the person to smile to make the drooping more apparent.
  • A (Arms) refers to one arm is weaker or more numb than the other. Ask the individual to raise both arms and hold them for a count of ten. If one arm falls or begins to drop, then this could be a sign of a stroke.
  • S (Stability) refers to steadiness on your feet. Sometimes individuals will fall, feel very dizzy, or fail to stand without assistance. Difficulty maintaining balance, trouble walking, and loss of coordination are all possible stroke symptoms.
  • T (Talking) refers to changes in speech such as slurring or uttering garbled, nonsensical words and an inability to respond appropriately. Individuals experiencing a stroke may be difficult to understand, or they may have difficulty understanding others. Asking the person to repeat a simple sentence helps in such a situation.

The patient may also demonstrate or complain of other symptoms, such as

  • Blurred vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes
  • Dizziness and nausea
  • Tingling or numbness in one side of the body
  • Loss of bladder and bowel control

It is crucial to seek help right away with the onset of a stroke, even if the symptoms may seem to be subtle. The sooner you get medical treatment, the better the patient’s chances of a complete cure.

Things to do when someone around you is having a Stroke

If you have identified that someone around you is having a Stroke, follow these steps to keep them safe while medical help arrives.

  • Call emergency services immediately for an ambulance
  • Help the patient lie down in a safe and comfortable position. Ideally, keep them on their side with their head slightly elevated so that they do not choke if they throw up
  • Perform CPR if the patient is not breathing
  • Loosen any constrictive clothing and take off anything around the neck, like scarves
  • Avoid any food or drink
  • Keep them warm by providing a blanket
  • Avoid moving any limb if the patient complains of weakness in that region
  • Keep observing the patient for any changes in their condition
  • When help arrives, inform medical personnel clearly about when the symptoms began and the nature of the symptoms

Helping someone recover from a Stroke

The post-Stroke recovery process will vary from patient to patient. It typically occurs at an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation facility and focuses on strengthening motor skills and enhancing mobility in affected parts of the body.

The primary caregiver will be responsible for taking the patient to and from the best rehabilitation center in Bangalore and also take care of the patient’s daily needs, including:

  • Arranging doctor’s appointments
  • Arranging for home health care such as a daily nurse
  • Taking care of the patient’s finances and legal needs
  • Making modifications around the home to improve mobility, such as installing grip rails or wheelchair ramps
  • Assisting the patient with personal hygiene and feeding
  • Helping them communicate better
  • Evaluating adult day care or assisted living options as necessary

Having a Stroke is serious, but with prompt treatment and a proper recovery process, the patient can be cured and avoid future Strokes.

https://www.healthline.com/health/stroke/stroke-first-aid

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