May - National Stroke Awareness Month

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the symptoms and risk factors of stroke. Strokes can happen to anyone at any age.  According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), most strokes can be prevented with lifelong control of risk factors that include: High blood pressure, high Cholesterol, overweight, sedentary lifestyle, binge-drinking, diabetes, and smoking. Other risk factors include: Atrial fibrillation, Family History of stroke, Age-55 and above, men more than women, more often in African American, American Indian, Alaska Native and Hispanics.

There are two types of strokes: As different parts of the brain control different parts of the body the stroke symptoms will depend on the part of the brain affected and the extent of the damage.

• The most common is Ischemic (87% of strokes). It occurs when a blood clot or fatty deposits called plague obstructs the flow of blood to the brain. Sometimes there may be instances when symptoms resolve as quickly as they come on, but these “mini-strokes” or T.I.A. (Transient Ischemic Attack), require the same immediate medical attention as with a major stroke and should not be overlooked, because having a stroke puts you at a higher risk for having a second one. The focus of the emergency treatment will be on dissolving or removing the clot. The treatments that work best are available only if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within 3 hours of the first symptoms.
• The second type of stroke is hemorrhagic- usually caused by high blood pressure- and occurs when an artery ruptures or leaks within the brain tissue, or outside of the brain in the subarachnoid space, requiring immediate emergency surgery to stop the bleeding to prevent permanent brain damage or death.

Twelve Early warning signs of a stroke if the symptoms occur suddenly:

• Loss of balance, or lack of coordination, trouble walking, dizziness.
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech.
• Severe headache with no known cause.
• Change in hearing.
• Change in taste or smell.
• Changes that affect touch and ability to feel pain, pressure or different temperature.
• Decreased state of consciousness.
• Loss of memory.
• Mood Changes.
• Accidental Bowel Leakage.

B.E.F.A.S.T. - If you think you or someone is having a stroke.

B- Balance: Loss of balance, dizziness, headache

E-Eyes: Loss of vision in one or both eyes

F-Face: Face looks uneven

A-Arms: Weakness in arm, one arm drifts downward

S-Speech: Difficulty speaking

T-Time: Call 9-1-1 immediately

By knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke, you can take quick action and perhaps save a life -maybe even your own.   If you have the symptoms of a stroke, do not drive to the hospital or let someone else drive you.  Call 9-1-1 for an ambulance so that medical personnel can begin life-saving treatment on the way to the emergency room.

References: www.cdc.gov/stroke/communication; https://thelifetoday.com