How do you know if someone is having a stroke?

Helping someone who has had a stroke

Strokes are one the top five killers in America today. Here is some useful information regarding strokes.

How do you know if someone is having a stroke?

A close member of my family suffered from a severe stroke just over a year ago, and unfortunately this has left him unable to walk and bed bound.  The circumstances surrounding this were possibly worse then normal as he is an elderly gentleman and it was over 24 hours before he was found. This therefore made it difficult to get the necessary treatment promptly. We were also unaware exactly what had happened to him at the time and the severity of the stroke.
A recent advertisement launched this week has made it simple to spot the signs of a stroke.
Remembering these simple rules may help save someones life as it is.

These rules are to act fast

• FACE- If you notice their face dropping on one side, and they are unable to smile properly
  
• ARMS- If ones side of their body becomes limp and they find it difficult to use their arms, hands & legs properly
  
• SPEECH- If their speech becomes slurred
  
• TIME is precious in these circumstances, therefore call for an ambulance as quickly as possible without hesitation.
  

You may find the following website very useful in terms of offering further information on strokes:
http://www.nhs.uk/actfast/Pages/default.aspx
Below i have listed a few short, sharp facts regarding strokes. This will hopefully make you think and act quicker if you think someone is suffering a stroke.

A stroke is caused when the oxygen to the brain is disrupted, which causes the brain tissue to die.

• Approximately 15 million people suffer from strokes worldwide every year..
• Approximately 5 million of these are left permanently disabled.
• Approximately 5 million of these will die.

• Over half a million people who suffer strokes every year are American.
• Over 100,000 people who suffer stroke live in the UK

• There are 2 main types of Strokes :
  • Ischemic (the most common type of stroke) - deprives the brain tissue of oxygen due to a blood clot or plaque in an artery.
  • Hemorrhagic - caused by broken blood vessels in the brain/bleeding into brain tissue.

• Some of the main risk factors that contribute to the cause of strokes include:
  • Smoking
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Diabetes
  • High Cholesterol
  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Age

In the UK, The Stroke Association, a charity, helps sufferers of strokes and their families to cope, providing support and useful information as well as campaigning to promote awareness.
There are also various websites which offer useful information:

http://www.neuroaid.com

http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/stroke

http://www.xcell-center.com/treatments/diseases-treated/stroke.aspx?