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Stroke
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Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
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Sudden confusion or
trouble speaking or understanding speech.
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Sudden trouble seeing in
one or both eyes.
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Sudden trouble walking,
dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
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Sudden severe headache
with no known cause.
Causes of Stroke Symptoms
Stroke
occurs when a section of the brain is suddenly starved of oxygen. Strokes can
happen in two very different ways.
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Ischemic stroke
is a blockage of a blood vessel in the brain that results in death to the
brain tissue. Usually, the blockage comes from a blood clot.
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Hemorrhagic stroke
occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and causes bleeding in or
around the brain.
Treatment of Stroke
Stroke
is a true emergency, a good reason to call an ambulance. Treatment for both
types of stroke require early recognition and access to emergency medical care.
Using medication to dissolve clots in ischemic stroke should happen within three
hours of onset. When suspecting stroke symptoms, be sure to take quick action.
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Call an ambulance
immediately. Be a good ambulance caller and listen carefully to the call
taker.
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Follow the ABC's of
First Aid. Pay close attention to the victim's airway; stroke victims have
difficulty controlling their own airways.
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Raise the victim's
head. Raising the head helps decrease the pressure on the brain inside the
skull.
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First Aid Case List -
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