A stroke occurs when there is either a blockage or rupturing of a blood vessel in the brain. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can ensure that your risk of having a stroke is kept low. However, it is also vital to know how to identify the warning signs in case your or someone else might be experiencing one.
Some of the most common symptoms of low blood-flow to the brain include: asymmetry/droop on one side of the face, weakness on one side of the body (such as an arm, leg, or both), numbness or unusual sensations on one side of the body and trouble speaking (slurred and inability to repeat simple phrases). A simple and effective way to remember what steps to take is to keep in mind the acronym FAST:
F – Face
Question: ask the person to smile.
Analyse: is one side of their face drooping?
A – Arm
Question: ask the person to raise both arms.
Analyse: does one arm drift downward?
S – Speech
Question: ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.
Analyse: is the person unable to speak or is speech strange/slurred?
T – Time
If you see the signs don’t waste time! Call 000 immediately.
My Rehab Team offers mobile speech pathology, mobile physiotherapist, mobile dietician, occupational therapist, mobile podiatrist, mobile exercises physiology and a rehabilitation assistant/health coach, who are more than happy to help you on your journey to a healthier lifestyle. To find out more, please do not hesitate to contact us at 13004MYREHAB (1300 469 734) or at info@myrehabteam.com.au.
References:
Univadis (2014) [Online] available at: http://www.univadis.co.uk/patient-resource-center/245/Warning-Signs-of-a-Stroke (Accessed 5th of May 2015)
Image courtesy of “Ohmega1982” FreeDigitalPhotos.com.net available at: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net [Online] (Accessed 5th of May 2015)