Stroke Emergency : Symptoms, Causes, and Immediate Treatment
Stroke emergencies are often sudden and can arise without any warning. Knowing how to identify stroke symptoms and what steps to take during such situations can be life-saving. When blood flow fails to reach the brain, brain cells begin to die, resulting in a stroke emergency that requires prompt medical action. Lack of timely intervention can cause permanent disability or even death.
Despite being one of the leading causes of mortality and long-term disability worldwide, stroke signs are often misunderstood or ignored in their early stages. In this blog, we shall highlight some of the major stroke emergency symptoms and help you understand its warning signs as well as the exact steps to take during such emergencies. Being aware today could help you act decisively and save lives tomorrow.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke occurs when a broken blood vessel or blood clot prevents the blood from reaching the brain, resulting in a lack of oxygen supply to the brain tissues. Without adequate oxygen supply, brain cells begin to die, causing permanent damage such as a long-term disability or death. Therefore, calling for immediate help is crucial in such situations. As the brain controls major functions of the body, such as speech, movement, vision, and balance, even the slightest delay in treatment could lead to severe complications. Booking an ambulance immediately helps ensure quicker medical interventions and safe transport to the nearest medical facility.
Common Stroke Emergency Symptoms to Watch For
Unlike most health conditions, stroke symptoms occur suddenly, and identifying them in time can help prevent many serious complications like permanent disability or death. These signs may appear abruptly, but should never be ignored as they can be fatal. One of the easiest ways to recognize the symptoms is to remember the acronym BE FAST.
- B – Balance: The person may showcase a sudden loss of body balance and coordination.
- E – Eyes: Vision problems like double or blurry vision in one or both eyes may also appear.
- F – Face: A drooping face is another common sign of a stroke emergency. You could ask the person to smile to check if it looks uneven.
- A – Arms: Sudden numbness or weakness in one arm or leg. When asked to raise both arms, if one seems to drift downward, it is a clear indication of a stroke.
- S – Speech: Notice if the individual is finding it difficult to speak or understand simple sentences.
- T – Time: Every second matters in such situations. If any of these symptoms seem to be present, call for immediate help, as even a moment’s delay could be life-threatening.
Causes and Types of Strokes
There are mainly two kinds of strokes: Ischemic and Hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke and is caused by a blood clot or blockage that restricts blood flow to a part of the brain, resulting in insufficient oxygen supply to the brain tissues. Such blockages are often caused by fatty deposits in the blood vessels or clots that form at other parts in the body and later travel to the brain.
Hemorrhagic strokes, on the other hand, occur when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, leading to bleeding in and around the brain. While there aren’t any set causes for this type of stroke, it is often associated with factors such as increased blood pressure, weakened blood vessels, or head injuries.
A third type of stroke, known as the Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) occurs when the blood flow to the brain gets temporarily blocked. Also referred to as a min-stroke, a transient ischemic attack is often a warning sign that the individual is at a high risk of experiencing an actual stroke. Although the symptoms resolve on their own in a short span of time, ensuring immediate medical evaluation is crucial in such situations.
What to do During a Stroke?
Acting immediately during a stroke can not only save lives but also prevent severe lifelong complications. If you notice someone displaying stroke symptoms, here’s what to do:
- Call Immediate Help: Avoid waiting for the symptoms to improve; call an ambulance service instantly to ensure quick medical intervention.
- Keep the Patient Still and Calm: Make the patient sit or lie down comfortably and note down the time when the symptoms started.
- Loosen Tight Clothing: Remove any tight clothing or accessories to prevent any unnecessary pressure on the body.
- Avoid Giving Food or Water: Functions like swallowing, drinking, and breathing are impaired during a stroke. Giving food or water to the patient could lead to choking or difficulty breathing, resulting in death.
- Monitor Changes: Remain calm and monitor breathing or any changes in the patient until help arrives.
Stroke Emergency Treatment
Stroke emergency treatments vary based on factors like the amount of damage caused, the part of the brain that is affected, and the type of stroke one has experienced. Listed below are some of the common treatment methods used by healthcare providers:
Ischemic Stroke Emergency Treatment
In cases of an ischemic stroke, if the patient is brought to the hospital within three hours of the first symptom’s occurrence, then the doctor may provide a medicine called a thrombolytic. This medicine is also known as a clot-dissolving medication and is most effective when given within the first couple of hours of the onset of the first stroke symptom. In severe cases, a medical surgery known as Mechanical thrombectomy may be performed to remove the large blood clots from the brain and arteries.
Hemorrhagic Stroke Emergency Treatment
Several medications are provided to control the bleeding in hemorrhagic strokes. Endovascular procedures may be used in certain cases to repair any breaks or blood vessel damage. If the hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a ruptured aneurysm, surgical treatment may be required. In this treatment, a metal clip is put near the ruptured place to prevent any further blood loss.
Long-term rehabilitation and continuous care may be needed in certain cases to help regain any lost functions, such as movement, speech, or balance.
Conclusion
Stroke emergencies can be scary, but knowing how to identify the signs and taking the right actions at the right time can make all the difference. At Zenzo, we believe that every second matters in emergencies, and that awareness, timely intervention, and swift action are the key to saving lives and protecting health. So, if you see anyone showcasing the signs of a stroke, act fast; your actions could save a life.
FAQ’s
- What are the warning signs of a stroke emergency?
Common warning signs of a stroke emergency include blurred vision, loss of balance, slurred speech, drooping face, and a sudden headache.
- What should I do during a stroke emergency?
Call for an ambulance immediately. Do not wait for the symptoms to improve; instead, help the person sit or lie down comfortably and monitor their breathing and any other changes until help arrives.
- How fast should stroke emergency treatment begin?
Stroke emergency treatment should begin as soon as possible, mainly within the first few hours of the onset of its symptoms. Early interventions and treatment help restore blood flow and prevent any kind of permanent damage to the brain.
