EARLY SIGNS OF STROKE
minor stroke, small stroke and transient ischemic Attack (TIAs) are all the same. Small strokes are those stroke-like symptoms such as weakness of an arm or leg that completely resolves within a few hours or a day. They were previously thought to be benevolent, nice and not a problem, but research has revealead the high risk of further strokes and a major stroke.
Minor strokes are evil !
TIA is a transient episode of stroke-like dysfunction lasting a few minutes and no more than twenty four hours. TIAs and strokes cause the same symptoms, such as sudden weakness or numbness of the face , an amber leg. A TIA may also cause sudden dimming or loss of vision, slurred speech and mental confusion. But unlike a stroke, the
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Rapid assessment and treatment in the emergency department or in specially designed 'TIA CLINICS' appear to reduce stroke rate. TIA patients should be evaluated with history and physical examination, laboratory tests, electrocardiography and head and neck imaging (brain scan and carotid ultrasonography ). An electrocardiogram (ECG) is mandatory.
Risk factors such as hypertension, HIV, tobacco use, substance abuse, use of oral contraceptives, high cholesterol in the blood and diabetes need to be assessed. Some patients with concurrent medical illness such as sickle cell disease will require an evaluation to assess their risk.
TIA and stroke share common causes, risk factors and treatment. This article stresses that prompt intervention or hospitalisation is required and a patient who had a TIA the previous day should be told to go immediately to the emergency department for admission, investigation and treatment. Hospitalisation allows monitoring and early treatment with clot bursting drugs. Finally, life style modification and exercise are to be recommended for
Strokes are caused by a block in the blood supply to the brain which causes a decrease in oxygen and delivery of other important supplies which facilitate proper functioning. Fifteen million cases are reported worldwide annually, although not all of these cases are mortalities, the large prevalence of strokes ranks it as the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. (Figueroa) Because of the time sensitivity associated with the lack of resources to the brain, strokes are considered a medical emergency and early recognition of symptoms can help decrease the amount of damage caused . Although strokes do not always cause death, strokes most often leave the individual with some physical and cognitive impairment.
F.A.S.T stands for Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call 911. If people have these signs 911 should be called as soon as possible. Fast medical treatment will decrease long-term effect and prevent death. The medical providers have to figure out what kind of stroke the patient is having. If the stoke is ischemic, the patient will have a tissue plasminogen activator. Tissue plasminogen activator is an IV in the arm. This may also be administered right into the effected blood vessel to help break apart the clot. If this method of treatment is given with in the first three hours of the stroke, the chances of recovery is vastly improved. Another method of treatment is, the doctor can insert a catheter in the patients’ blood vessel to remove the clot. This method is called an Endovascular procedure. If the Medical providers perform a carotid endarterectomy (opening of the carotid artery and removing any plaque) the risk of a future stroke will be decreased. A medical provided can also put a stent into the artery to open the artery so no plaque can build up. It is recommended that the patient after having a stroke should have speech, occupational, and physical therapy. Also the patient should join a support group. The patient should also change their daily life style in order to prevent another
Mariam background is 60 year old lady admitted with left sided weakness and facial droop. Once confirmed stroke using the Recognition of Stroke in the Emergency Room (ROSIER) scale. Catangui (2015) states ROSIER scale is used to distinguish whether the patient is having a stroke or stroke mimics e.g. seizures or brain tumours. Computed tomography CT brain showed ischemic stroke. Ischaemic stroke is lack of sufficient blood supply to perfuse the brain/ cerebral tissue due to narrowing or blocked arteries in the brain (Morrison, 2014). According to Stroke Association (2015) statics shows that 1520000 strokes occur in the United Kingdom.
To have their symptoms diagnosed, a person must first seek medical treatment. Only 20-25% of patients who are admitted to the hospital with a stroke arrive in the emergency department within 3 hours of the onset of symptoms (3). Once a doctor is able to determine what kind of stroke has occurred, it is important the appropriate medicine be given. If the wrong medicine were given to treat a stroke victim, it could result in death. Treatment for an ischemic stroke will focus mainly on restoring blood flow
It is important that the type of stroke is diagnosed quickly to reduce the damage done to the brain and also to determine the right type of treatment because one treatment for one kind of stroke can be harmful to someone who has had a different kind. A number of different medications may be given at the hospital to help break up the clot and prevent the formation of new clots. For Ischemic stroke the treatment can begin with drugs to break down clots and prevent further ones from forming. Aspirin can be given, along with an injection of a tissue plasminogen activator (TPA). TPA works by dissolving clots but it needs to be injected within 4.5 hours of stroke symptoms once they have presented themselves. Hemorrhagic stroke treatment can begin with drugs being given to reduce the pressure in the brain, overall blood pressure, prevent seizures and prevent sudden constrictions of blood vessels.(http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/txc-20117296) Because strokes are life-changing events that can affect a person both physically and emotionally, temporarily or permanently. After a stroke,
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor had an amazing experience that most people do not get to tell after the fact. Especially because she is a neuroanatomist who knew what was happening and what parts of the brain were being affected. This book is informational on many different levels and to many different types of people. This book can warn people about the signs of when someone is having a stroke. This information could save many lives if someone were to read this book and realize they were having a stroke soon enough to call for help. It can be helpful for the treatment of stroke victims, average people looking to gain insight on life and how to better themselves, and to many professionals who know all of the science behind a stroke, but do not know
A stroke is a sudden stop in brain function. Approximately 25% of all people who get a stroke will have another in about five years time. The symptoms that occur are mainly affecting the nervous and digestive system, however, they may also have an effect on the other systems. Having a stroke will indeed affect the body’s functions extremely negatively. Affecting many parts of the body, strokes are devastating to the human race, killing many. The types of strokes, symptoms, and predictably will be covered.
A brain attack and a Transient Ischemic Attack are two things that should not be taken differently. They both have things in common, and they also have their differences. They both are types of strokes, but one is slightly different. A brain attack is a normal stroke, and has the normal side effects, but a TIA is called a “mini stroke” (. "Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).") A TIA is a really quick thing, and does not cause any serious damage ("Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).".
Despite the initial suspected diagnosis of stroke (scenario A), Gibson and Whiteley (2013) found 8.2% of patients with a suspected stroke/TIA had a final diagnosis of a brain tumour (scenario B), whilst 19.2% had a diagnosis of seizure (scenario C). Thus it is important to modify imaging protocols should additional patient history/preliminary findings indicate an alternative diagnosis. The sequences required is likely a matter of department protocol but should take into consideration patient condition (how long is reasonable for an unwell patient to undergo a scan), the clinical history (what pathology is expected/being
Going to the hospital as soon as signs or symptoms is notice is the key to stroke treatment (CDC, 2017). Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) can be used for ischemic stroke if arrival to the hospital is within three hours of the first symptoms. Medicine, surgery, and rehabilitation can also be used for treatment of stroke (CDC, 2017).
TIAs typically serve as a warning sign. Any individual who has had a TIA is at an elevated risk for a more serious and debilitating stroke.
When trying to detect the onset of a stroke, remembering the acronym F.A.S.T. is important (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911). If stroke symptoms are detected within an individual, they have just a couple hours before it is too late for any preventative treatment options. Unfortunately, the type of stroke cannot be identified except through several tests (physical test, blood test, CT, MRI), which are important because treatments are different for the different types of strokes. It would be hazardous to administer the wrong stroke treatment to an individual having a different kind of stroke. (McIntosh) Seeing the precursors to a stroke and preventing it is not always possible; therefore, the stroke victim may have some damaging effects on their body. Strokes can affect a body in different ways depending on which side the blood clot occurs. If the blood clot occurs in the right side of the brain, the left side of the body and the face will be affected. In addition to paralysis of the body and face, vision problems, memory loss, and quick, inquisitive behavior could result from a blood clot on the right half of the brain. If the clot were to occur in the left side, the right side of the body would suffer speech and language problems, slow behavior, or memory loss. (About Stroke.) Aside from the physical effects of a stroke, a victim might also be affected emotionally undergoing depression, or being unable to control their feelings. (McIntosh) Oftentimes, the outcome of a stroke is irreversible and saddening for everyone
Stroke previously known as Cerebrovascular accident is well-defined as ‘an abrupt cessation of cerebral circulation in one or more of the blood vessels distributing the brain. Due to the interruption or diminish of oxygen supply causes serious damage or necrosis in the brain tissues (Jauch, Kissella & Stettler, 2005). There is a presence of one or more symptoms such as weakness or numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg, difficulty speaking or swallowing, dizziness, loss of balance, loss of vision, sudden blurring or decreased vision in one or both eyes and headache. Stoke is categorised into two types, Ischaemic and haemorrhagic
The choice of Brain imaging techniques is between CT and MRI imaging. At present there is no consensus to which is the best imaging modality. The European Stroke Organization recommends CT or MRI in all suspected stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack ( TIA) patients . In Ireland in almost all cases the preference in acute imaging of stroke is CT, because of the wider availability of CT and the ability of CT to very rapidly deliver the necessary images. MRI imaging for acute stroke requires in excess of 50 minutes of imaging time while CT images can be delivered within 3 to 4 minutes. MRI imaging is very useful for imaging TIA cases as it will commonly identify areas of ischemic stroke not visible on CT, and time is less critical
A stroke caused by a blocked artery by a blood clot or bursting of a blood vessel because of uncontrolled high blood pressure. There are main three types of the stroke. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks one of the arteries which supply blood to brain. A clot may be caused by fatty deposits (plaque) that build up in arteries and cause reduced blood flow (atherosclerosis) or other artery conditions. (mayo clinic). About 89%, strokes are ischemic strokes. Ischemic stroke includes thrombotic stroke. A thrombotic stroke occurs when a thrombus stuck in one of the arteries that supply blood to the brain. A clot build-up of fatty deposits in arteries. Another type of stroke is called the hemorrhagic stroke. This stroke occurs when a blood vessel leaks or ruptures in the brain. A bold vessel leaks or ruptures from many conditions like uncontrolled high blood pressure or overtreatment with anticoagulants and the weak spot in blood vessel walls. (mayo). Some people experience a mini-stroke it is known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A temporary decrease or clot stuck in a vessel in our brain causes TIA. It happens less than five minutes. This stroke does not have any symptom, because the blockage is