What is a Stroke?
A Stroke is a brain attack. For your brain to function, it needs a constant blood supply, which provides vital nutrients and oxygen to the brain cells. A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off and brain cells are damaged or die.
Strokes are Sudden and Have an Immediate Effect
A person may become numb, weak or paralysed on one side of the body. They may slur their speech and find it difficult to find words or understand speech. Some people lose their sight or have blurred vision, and others become confused or unsteady.
A Stroke Can Damage Mind and Body
Strokes affect people in different ways, depending on the part of the brain that is affected, how widespread the damage is and how healthy the person was before the stroke. But strokes can damage:
- Bodily functions
- Our thought processes
- Our ability to learn, and
- How we feel and communicate
Recovering From a stroke takes time. About a third of people who have a stroke make a significant recovery within a month. But most stroke survivors will have long-term problems. It may take a year or longer for them to make the best possible recovery. Sadly, in the most severe cases, strokes can be fatal or cause long-term disability. A stroke is always a medical emergency.
Recognise Stroke Symptoms FAST
You can recognise a stroke using the FAST test
FACIAL weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
ARM weakness: Can the person raise both arms?
SPEECH problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
TIME to call the emergency services.
Taken from The Stroke Association website – http://www.stroke.org.uk/ which is full of very useful advice concerned with or needing more information about strokes.
For more information about strokes or for assistance in caring for someone who has suffered a stroke contact the helpful team of nurses at Mediterranean Quality Care Services who would be delighted to help.
All content on this website is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Always consult your own GP if you’re in any way concerned about your health.
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