08 Dec Symptoms of Stroke
Suffering a stroke can be a shocking moment for anyone who has never experienced a medical emergency as severe as this one. Unfortunately, strokes are the fifth-ranked cause of death in America as nearly 185,000 people a year are killed by the attack. They occur when blood begins to cease flowing to a certain area of your brain. This is then followed by harsh manifestations such as loss of speech, movement, and memory. Your brain cells, which require oxygen in order to survive, will progressively begin to die out which can be fatal. Despite all this, nearly eighty percent of strokes can be prevented so long as you recognize the initial warnings. Dr. James D. Bruno MD, your local Port Jefferson Neurologist, recommends you keep an eye out for these warning signs if you think you or someone you know is experiencing a stroke:
The universal procedure for quickly identifying a stroke is known as the “FAST” method. “FAST” serves as an acronym that reminds individuals to search for specific warnings signs and to follow these instructions:
F – face drooping
A – arm weakness
S – speech difficulty
T – time to call 911
Each of these symptoms/instructions follow specific guidelines for identifying a stroke victim. When identifying face drooping, be sure to ask the person if they’re able to smile. If the smile appears to be uneven or lopsided, this is almost certainly a symptom of a stroke. This is due to the attack causing the victim’s face to become numb. You will follow similar steps when analyzing the potential victim’s arm weakness. Ask the person in question if they are able to raise both arms upward. If one of their arms sags downward or can’t be lifted, this is an immediate warning sign. Identifying speech can easily be done by asking the person to speak a simple sentence, such as “the grass is green.” If the victim’s words sound befuddled or they’re unable to speak at all, they’re most likely suffering a stroke. Call 911 immediately if you feel that someone has any of these symptoms. Timing and early identification can be the difference in saving the victim’s life. Take note of when the symptoms roughly began to appear, the first responders will need to know this information.
For more health-related tips and information, contact your local Port Jefferson Neurologist Dr. James D. Bruno for an appointment and consultation.