A stroke is when the brain doesn’t get enough
oxygen. The most common cause of a stroke is a blockage
in a blood vessel to the brain, which is often due to a blood clot getting trapped where
the blood vessel narrows. When the blood vessel gets blocked off, blood
can no longer flow past the clot, and oxygen can’t get to the brain tissue, and the tissue
quickly starts to die. Sometimes the clot might dissolve on its own
before permanent damage occurs. This is known as a transient ischemic attack
(TIA) or mini-stroke and symptoms typically go away on their own within a few hours. If a person is having a TIA, they should still
go to the hospital because it could be a warning that a larger stroke is about to occur. Knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke
can make a big difference in how quickly someone gets care, and in turn, how well they recover. Remembering the word FAST will help you remember
the signs of a stroke. F stands for face - usually one side of the
face starts to droop and becomes hard to move. This can sometimes cause someone to smile
crookedly. A is for arm weakness or the inability to
hold both arms out straight in front of the body. But it’s not just the arms, sometimes, a
stroke can also cause weakness in the legs. S is for speech which can either mean that
someone is slurring their speech or having trouble understanding what others are saying. And finally, T is for time - Call emergency
services immediately when these symptoms appear. A stroke should be treated within the first
few hours to increase the chance of a good recovery. Strokes may also involve other symptoms, but
these are the classic signs. So remember, Face, Arm, Speech, Time: FAST If the health care team suspects a stroke
when a person arrives at the hospital, a head CT scan can help to determine the underlying
cause so that the person can be properly treated as quickly as possible. There are two treatments that can be offered
in the first few hours of a stroke. After several hours have passed these treatments
will no longer work because the tissue can’t be saved afterwards. TPA—sometimes known as “the clot buster
medicine”—works by dissolving the blood clot and allowing blood to flow back through
the previously blocked vessel. In addition, a there’s also thrombectomy,
which is a minimally invasive procedure that can be used to remove larger clots from the
brain. After a stroke, the main goal is to prevent
another stroke. The most common modifiable risk factor for
stroke is hypertension, or high blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure back to the normal
range can result in the greatest decrease in stroke risk. Next comes smoking which approximately doubles
the risk of another stroke, but this additional stroke risk disappears within 2 to 4 years
of quitting. It takes most people several attempts to quit
before they are successful, so it’s important not to be discouraged after a failed attempt. There’s diabetes, a disease that causes
high blood sugar which damages blood vessels. And finally, high cholesterol which can lead
to narrowing of blood vessels. Both of these can predispose someone to getting
a stroke. The good news is that all of these risk factors
can be reduced through a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. For medications, daily aspirin can be used
to reduce the chance that a blood clot will form in the future. Also, though, blood thinners can be prescribed
instead if someone has an abnormal heart rhythm like atrial fibrillation, since clots are
more likely to occur in the heart and travel to the brain. After a stroke, recovery can be slow and sometimes
people still see small improvements for a year or more. Depending on the type of stroke, individuals
that have had a stroke may work with speech therapists, physical therapists, and occupational
therapists to regain physical strength and an ability to communicate effectively. Depression is very common following a stroke
and shouldn’t be ignored. It turns out that when it’s properly addressed
and treated, in addition to feeling better people actually regain physical strength. That’s why having the support of family
and friends, as well as the health care professionals has been shown to make such a difference. In general, outcomes can be difficult to predict
and while most stroke patients have some permanent neurologic deficits, many people recover well
over time - even those who weren’t treated within hours. Overall, the goal is to provide tools to maximize
quality of life after a stroke and prevent another stroke from happening in the future.
awesome video!!!!