Stroke
Posted in First Aid Articles, on August 12, 2020
Stroke
A stroke is caused when there is a blockage (Ischemia) or bleed (hemorrhage) in the blood vessels that feed the brain with blood. It should be noted that there is no way of reviving dead brain cells and you should know that strokes are very serious and can be deadly. When it comes to strokes, it is very important that the victim gets medical attention as fast as possible. In the case that there is a blockage in the blood vessel, it is possible that the blockage might go away on its own, causing the signs and symptoms to disappear. We call this condition a Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA. As the first aider, you should still monitor the victim until 911 arrives and gives them the medical help that they need.
We suggest remembering the acronym FAST to help you recognize a stroke:
Face: is the face droopy?
Arms: is there weakness in one of the arms?
Speech: is the speech slurred or incoherent?
Time: You must remember to activate EMS immediately as the victim does not have a lot of time.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Numbness, tingling, paralysis on one side of the body, extremities, hands, and feet.
- Slurred speech, not making sense.
- Trouble understanding you.
- Uneven pupils.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Decreased level of consciousness.
Treatment:
- Assist your victim to get in a comfortable position. They can either sit or lay down.
- Call 911 and call for help
- Keep yourself and the victim calm and reassure them that help is on the way.
- Keep them warm
- Do not give them anything to eat or drink
