How to recognize a stroke in a timely manner?

Stroke (cerebral stroke) is a widespread, dangerous disease associated with acute circulatory disorders in the vessels of the brain. It is caused by such a violation of changes in the properties of blood vessels (increased permeability, severe spasm, blockage) or their complete rupture. How to recognize a stroke in a person in order to provide the necessary help in a timely manner?

Stroke - a disease of all ages

If at all times the stroke was considered a disease of elderly people, then in today's intense rhythm of life in the risk group are all age categories. How to recognize the signs of a stroke? First of all, such a disease, which is one of the main causes of sudden death, can develop in people suffering from hypertension, obesity, diabetes, coronary heart disease and high blood pressure. Risk factors also include abnormal lifestyle, smoking and alcohol abuse. The most common cause of stroke is atherosclerosis, in which plaques that form in the vessels are able to break away at any time and block the way to the bloodstream. This leads to oxygen starvation of a specific area of the brain and its subsequent death. Also, a stroke can occur with spasms, thrombosis, hemorrhages. How to recognize a stroke in women and men?

Types of strokes

Depending on the cause of the violation of blood supply, there are 2 types of strokes:

• Ischemic. With this form, the integrity of the vessel remains, and the flow of blood stops due to a clogged thrombus or embolus of the arterial lumen.
• Hemorrhagic. There is a rupture of the walls of blood vessels, blood penetrates into the substance of the brain.

It should be remembered:

In time to recognize the stroke can be using a simple, but informative test UZP. For this patient should be asked:

1. To smile. "Skewed," a crooked smile with a corner of the mouth lowered downwards, will indicate the numbness of one half of the face, which will confirm the alleged diagnosis.
2. To speak. In the pre-adult state, the language seems to get stuck, and speech becomes vague and reminds one of a very drunk person.
3. Raise your hands. The hands of the person affected by the stroke will be raised asymmetrically, to different heights.

How to recognize a stroke: symptoms

The patient can independently diagnose a stroke by himself on the following grounds:

• Numbness in the face or one of the limbs;
• Severe headache for no apparent reason;
• Loss of ability to clearly speak and understand the meaning of the speech of the interlocutor;
• Dizziness, double vision;
• Fuzzy vision of surrounding objects, partial loss of vision;
• Coordination disorder, inability to take an object with both hands, unsteadiness in walking;
• Reduction, perversion or disappearance of sensitivity: taste, smell, tactile sensations;
• Partial clouding of consciousness or its complete loss.

Every second is precious

In such difficult moments, people who are near the patient, must behave correctly. Do not panic! Do not be scared! Do not get lost! You need to understand how to recognize a stroke without a doctor. The actions taken in relation to a person affected by a stroke should be confident, clear and coordinated. After all, from the rapid recognition of the symptoms of stroke depends the life of the patient. It should be understood that there is simply no time for meditation: the timely provision of medical care gives a chance to have time to stop the process of loss of neurons in affected areas of the brain. In the absence of medical care in the first 3-6 hours, the risk of irreversible consequences and death of the patient increases exponentially.

Sequence of actions for stroke

1. Call the ambulance team, describe in detail in the phone mode what is happening. This is required to understand the complexity of the case by the dispatcher and coordinate to the point of call of the necessary specialists.
2. While the ambulance is on the way, the patient needs to be conveniently laid, place his head 30 ^o above the level of the surface. It is recommended to use clothes, pillows and blankets as ancillary materials.
3. Ensure freedom of breathing: remove pressure clothing, unfasten belt and buttons. The room where the patient is located requires access to fresh air.
4. When nausea or vomiting begins, the victim's head should be carefully turned to one side. This action will protect the respiratory tract from ingress of vomit. Also close to the patient should carefully put the basin or use a plastic bag, and after stopping vomiting, carefully clean the oral cavity.
5. If possible, it is recommended to measure the patient's blood pressure and report the indications to the incoming medical team. If the pressure is high, you need to help the patient with the appropriate medications. If they are not available, place a hot water bottle or a bottle of hot water on the patient's feet.
6. Upon the arrival of an ambulance, we need to clearly, quickly, informatively describe the full picture of the event to the doctors.

It is important to know how to recognize a stroke. You can not fuss, panic, show fear! It is necessary to speak patiently with a calm tone, to provide all possible moral support.

Sad Statistics

People who have suffered a stroke do not always fully recover. Such lucky people make up about 8% of the total number of cases. The rest are less lucky: either they remain disabled, or die after living a short period after the stroke. Such a sad statistics is a consequence of a late call for help, and with such a disease the time factor plays a key role.

Not so frightening in comparison with stroke sounds the diagnosis "microinsult". How to recognize - a stroke or a microstroke? This condition differs from stroke in short duration and usually ends in recovery. A microinsult is a kind of warning that the circulatory system of the brain can sometimes fail under the diagnosis of a stroke, because it is in a deplorable state.

Micro stroke: who is affected?

The risk group undergoing a micro stroke is still the same:

• Hypertensive patients;
• Smokers;
• Alcohol abusers;
• Suffering from diabetes mellitus;
• Overweight;
• Prone to thrombosis;
• Hypertensive crisis.

Also, short-term spasm of cerebral vessels can be caused by jumps in atmospheric pressure, stresses, severe overwork.

How to recognize stroke and micro stroke

It is very important to determine in a timely manner what happened a micro-insult: diagnosing it within 3-6 hours will increase the chances of a cure at times. Dizziness, irritation in bright light and sharp sounds, vomiting, "goose bumps" on the skin are the main symptoms of an impending danger, which sometimes can not be distinguished from ordinary headache after stress or fatigue. How to recognize a stroke and a microstroke? If the signs listed do not subside within the first 24 hours, it is this particular disease. Otherwise, it can be a migraine or a jump in blood pressure.

Most often, a microstroke occurs because of:

• Reduced physical activity and excess body weight;
• Unhealthy eating;
• Non-observance of the daily routine;
• Predisposition or presence of cardiovascular diseases;
• High blood pressure;
• Stress;
• Heredity;
• Bad ecology.

Sometimes an attack of constriction of the cerebral vessels can be caused by fluctuations in atmospheric pressure. Most often micro strokes occur in women: 6-8% more than in men, and are characterized by a similarity of symptoms in both sexes.

Medical therapy with micro stroke

When determining the symptoms characteristic of a micro stroke, it is necessary to visit a doctor who will send for a detailed blood test, magnetic resonance diagnostics, computer topography, angiography, dopplerography, echocardiogram. This is required to determine the state of blood vessels and heart. Very often people negligently treat anxious symptoms or do not distinguish between them, so they transfer the microstroke on their legs. This is very dangerous for health, because this pathology requires the provision of timely medical care. To restore blood supply in the affected area of the brain it is recommended to use certain medications:

• Vasodilators: "Pentoxifylline", "Xanthinal nicotinate";
• Angioprotectors - drugs, whose action is aimed at reducing vascular permeability, improving metabolic processes and microcirculation ("Tanakan", "Bilobil", "Nimodipine").
• Metabolic. An increase in the resistance of brain cells to aggressive manifestations is conditioned. Improve memory and mental activity ("Cerebrolysin", "Piracetam", "Cinnarizine", "Vinpocetine").
• Antiagreganty - drugs that reduce the likelihood of pooling and adherence of platelets to the walls of blood vessels: "Dipiridamol", "Aspirin", "Ticlopidine."

Prevention of micro-stroke

The recovery period consists of carrying out respiratory gymnastics, massage, physiotherapy exercises, diet, physiotherapy procedures. As a preventive method against strokes and strokes it is recommended to constantly monitor blood pressure, remove salted, fatty, smoked food from the diet and fill it with fish, legumes, fresh fruits and vegetables. Reducing blood pressure contributes to a salt-free diet.

It is necessary to forget about smoking, which doubles the risk of a stroke. It is required to correctly distribute your day, adhere to a literate regime. It is compulsory to exercise regularly, exercise daily, and also know how to recognize a stroke and a microstroke in time to save your own and others' lives.