Stroke
According to www.mystroke.co.za, an average of 360 South Africans suffer a stroke per day. Twice as many people die from strokes than heart attacks, particularly in South Africa. A number of initiatives are currently under way which will improve the awareness and stroke care throughout the country.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of your brain is stopped either by a blockage or a rupture of a blood vessel. If you think that you or someone around you might be having a stroke, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. The quicker you get treatment, the better the prognosis. When a stroke goes untreated for too long, it can lead to permanent brain damage.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on which part of the brain is damaged. In some cases, a person may not know that a stroke has occurred. Most of the time, symptoms develop suddenly and without warning, but symptoms may occur on and off for the first day or two.
Symptoms may include:
- Change in alertness (including sleepiness, unconsciousness, and coma)
- Difficulty speaking or understanding
- Confusion or loss of memory
- Problems swallowing
- Problems writing or reading
- Dizziness or abnormal feeling of movement (vertigo)
- Eyesight problems, such as decreased vision, double vision, or total loss of vision
- Lack of control over the bladder or bowels
- Muscle weakness in the face, arm, or leg (usually just on one side)
- Numbness or tingling on one side of the body
- Headache
The acronym F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the signs of stroke and what to do if you think a stroke has occurred.
F.A.S.T. stands for:
- FACE: Ask the person to smile.
- Check to see if one side of the face droops
- ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms, see if one arm moves downward
- SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.
- Check to see if words are slurred and if the sentence is repeated correctly
- TIME: If a person shows any of these symptoms, time is essential. It is important to get to the hospital as quickly as possible. Call Netcare 911 on (082) 911 – act F.A.S.T!
Ask the Netcare 911 agent if you have a hospital nearby that specialises in stroke management so as to get the best immediate care.
Smartphone users: The mySOS app features a dedicated myStroke ‘Emergency button’ for direct access to a dedicated national stroke hotline.
How can I prevent a stroke?
- Maintain a normal blood pressure
- Limit saturated fat intake to minimise cholesterol
- Do not smoke, and drink alcohol in moderation
- Control diabetes
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Get regular exercise
* MediBrief articles are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider to discuss your medical concerns.