According to Statistics Canada, stroke is the number one cause of death in Canada. It can strike a person at any age but mostly affects older people, with about 10% of adults aged 65 years and older have experienced a stroke. It also affects both women and men.
So how do you know if you or another person has had a stroke? In this post, we will look at the symptoms of a stroke, what you can do to prevent it, and how to get help.
What Is A Stroke?
A stroke happens when blood suddenly stops flowing to the brain due to a blood vessel blockage (ischemic stroke) or rupture (hemorrhagic stroke). This loss of blood flow damages cells and causes brain damage.
The loss of blood from one damages the connections between your brain and your body. It can cause paralysis to half the body and loss of function in the arm and leg on the affected side. Strokes can also cause difficulty with movement and speech. The good news is that with early treatment and rehabilitation, the damage isn’t necessarily permanent.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Stroke?
The most common symptoms of a stroke for both men and women are:
- Sudden confusion
- Sudden trouble speaking or difficulty understanding speech.
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden severe headache
- Sudden loss of balance, coordination, or difficulty walking.
- Sudden vision difficulties out of one or both eyes
How and When to Seek Help
If you notice someone with any of these symptoms or experience them yourself, call 911 for an ambulance right away. Do not drive to the hospital yourself. It is essential to act fast if you suspect someone has had a stroke. The chances of survival are greater when emergency treatment begins quickly.
If you suspect someone has had a stroke, you can also use a simple F.A.S.T. test and act quickly.
- F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?
- A – Arms: As the person to raise both arms. Does one are drift downward?
- S – Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Do they slur their speech or sound strange?
- T – Time: If you see these signs, call 911 right away and note when you first noticed the symptoms to tell a health care provider.
How to Prevent A Stroke
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is an essential factor in preventing a stroke. A healthy lifestyle includes eating a nutritious diet, regular exercise, not smoking, not drinking to excess, and controlling blood cholesterol. Hypertension or high blood pressure is the most critical factor in prevention.
If you have suffered a stroke, it is crucial to take steps right away to help you recover your mobility and independence. Stroke rehabilitation in the form of physiotherapy and massage therapy Brampton services is an excellent way to restore your mind and body connection and make sure the damage to your brain and body connection isn’t permanent.
Over the long-term, rehabilitation exercises and treatments will help you recover from your stroke and help keep your muscles and joints moving and healthy for the longterm.
