Stroke: what to do and precursors.

You hope never to experience it, but if the situation arises, you want to be able to act appropriately. Stroke is a generic term for a TIA, cerebral infarction and cerebral haemorrhage. But whichever of these comes up, it is vital to act as soon as possible. The sooner a stroke is recognised, and treatment can start in hospital, the more brain damage can be limited. Therefore, in this article you will read how to recognise a stroke and how best to act then.

The three main signs

With a stroke, different symptoms can occur, but nine out of ten people show at least one of the three main signs. These are therefore the three signs by which a stroke is often first recognised. They are:

• Crooked mouth
  One of the corners of the mouth suddenly hanging down.
• Confused speech
  A person suddenly cannot get out of their words or has difficulty pronouncing certain words.
• Paralysed arm
  Paralysis or loss of strength suddenly occurs in one of the arms.

Other signs of a stroke

Although the above signs are the main ones, there may also be other harbingers of a stroke. For example, paralysis sometimes occurs not in the arm, but in a leg or on one side of the body. A person may also suddenly be blind in one of the eyes or see only half of what they normally see. Double vision can also indicate a stroke. Problems with coordination and balance or suddenly becoming very dizzy can also be a precursor to a stroke. And if the stroke is caused by a brain haemorrhage, very intense headaches sometimes suddenly occur. Here it is immediately clear that medical attention is needed immediately. An epileptic fit can also occur with a brain haemorrhage.

Appropriate action = (knowledge + experience) x repetition

What to do in case of a stroke?

Do you recognise one or more of the above signs? Then it is very important to act immediately. Because the earlier someone with a stroke ends up in hospital, the more damage can be prevented. Therefore, the advice is always to call 112 immediately if you suspect a stroke. You would rather call once too many than too few. Because time is so important in stroke treatment, it is important not to call the GP first. That way, it takes much longer for someone to get to hospital, potentially causing more damage. Therefore, if you suspect a stroke, you should always call 112 immediately. They will then help you as quickly as possible.

Acting correctly in emergencies

Want to make sure you always know what to do in case of an emergency? Then it is a good idea to take a Basic First Aid course. In this course, you will learn how to act in the event of an accident or emergency. Besides the basic first aid course, there are also specialised courses. In these, you will learn specifically about first aid for children or the elderly or learn CPR. Although you hope you will never need it, at least you will be well prepared. Would you like to know more about the various courses offered by FeniksGroup? Then feel free to contact us.

March 2, 2022 I First aid
Sharing is allowed, gladly even!