Stroke - First Aid Treatment
A Stroke can occur when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked or ruptures causing a part of the brain to become starved of oxygen.
If you suspect a stroke you must call the Emergency Medical Services immediately .
Signs and symptoms are, sudden headache, confusion, numbness, paralysis down one side of the body, loss of bladder and bowel control and not being able to co-ordinate the body.
Symptoms
- Headache
- Weakness
- Numbness
- Seizure
- Loss of Bowel/Bladder control
- Altered level of consciousness
- Double or blurred vision
- Inability to sepak or garbald speech
- Difficulty Breathing
- Paralysis affecting one side of the body
- Nausea or Vomiting
What to do
Recognise stroke signs and symptoms using the pneumonic FAST activate EMS, check and correct ABC. Give nothing to eat or drink.
Place the patient in the recovery position if the patient is unconscious, breathing effectively, and there is no suspected head, neck or back injury.
F – Face - has their face dropped on one side
A – Arms - can they lift their arms together
S – Speech - is their speech slurred
T – Time - call the EMS quickly
The more quickly you identify that someone is having a stroke and the sooner they receive medical treatment, the more of the brain can be saved, allowing the patient to have a much fuller recovery.
A stroke can happen with no obvious cause, to people of any age but there are factors know to increase the likelihood of it happening.
Some of these factors are things that can't be changed, others may be reduced by lifestyle changes or medication.
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