What Should You Do When Someone's Having A Stroke?

When the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting sufficient oxygen and nutrients, it leads to a medical emergency named stroke. The interruption in the blood’s flow to the brain may either be because the blood flow is blocked (ischemic stroke), or a blood vessel in the brain ruptures leading to leakage and bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). Strokes can happen without any prior warning and typically results from a blood clot in the brain. When there is a stroke, the brain cells begin to die rapidly. Individuals experiencing a stroke may suddenly be unable to walk or talk. They also seem confused and have weaknesses on one side of their body. Immediate action is needed which can reduce brain damage, permanent disability, and other major complications.

Signs and symptoms of stroke

The signs and symptoms of stroke vary from one person to another. However, the given below are the most common symptoms seen –

·   Trouble speaking and understanding what others are saying – one may experience confusion, slur words, or have difficulty understanding speech.

·   Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or leg – one may develop sudden numbness, weakness, or paralysis, usually in the face, arm, or leg. Stroke commonly affects just one side of the body. When one tries to raise both arms over the head at the same time, if one arm begins to fall, one may be having a stroke. Also, one side of the mouth may droop when one tries to smile if they are having a stroke.

·    Problems seeing in one or both eyes – one may suddenly experience blurred or blackened vision in one or both eyes, or they may see double.

·    Headache – A sudden, severe flash of headache, which may be accompanied by vomiting, dizziness, or altered consciousness, may indicate a stroke.

·    Trouble walking – one may lose their balance or stumble when they try to walk. They may also have sudden dizziness or loss of coordination.

What to do when someone is having a stroke?

·    Call an ambulance – when one is experiencing a stroke, your first instinct might motivate you to drive them to the nearest hospital. But in this situation, it’s best to call 911 as paramedics are well-equipped to handle various types of emergencies. Their assistance on the way to the hospital could reduce the damaging effects of the stroke.

·    Do use the word “stroke” – When you call 911 and request help, make sure to notify the operator that you suspect the person is having a stroke, so that the paramedics will be better prepared to aid them, and the hospital can prepare for the patients’ arrival as well.

·    Keep track of the symptoms – the person experiencing a stroke may be unable to communicate at the hospital, so the more information you can provide, the better it will be for early treatment. It is recommended to keep a mental or written note of symptoms seen in detail, and also to be aware if the person has known prior medical conditions. This can be achieved by talking to the person experiencing a stroke while waiting for the ambulance to arrive when the person is still able to communicate.

·    Encourage the person to lie down – If the person experiencing a stroke is sitting or standing up, encourage them to lie down on their side with their head elevated. This posture promotes blood flow to the brain. Loosen restrictive clothing if needed, to keep them comfortable.

·    Perform CPR, if needed – Some people may become unconscious during a stroke. If this happens, first check to see if they’re still breathing. If you cannot locate a pulse, start performing CPR. If you don’t know how to perform CPR, the 911 operator can help you through the process until the paramedics arrive.

·    Stay calm – As hard as it might get, try to stay calm throughout the process. It makes communication easier with the 911 operator.

What not to do when someone is having a stroke?

·    Do not let the person talk you out of calling 911 – some people might see these symptoms as something very normal and might try to stop you from calling 911, but do not listen to them, just go ahead and call the paramedics

·    Do not take the person to the emergency - though our first instinct always asks us to rush them to the nearest emergency, that’s the worst thing to do to a patient experiencing a stroke. The first resort should always be to call 911.

·    Do not let the person go to sleep – keeping the person in their conscience until help arrives is very important. Even though the person complains of suddenly feeling very sleepy, do not let them sleep.

·    Do not feed them with anything – it is advised not to give any food, medication, or drinks to the person experiencing stroke until the paramedics arrive, because there is a risk of them choking, as their swallowing ability may be compromised.

Conclusion

A stroke can be a life-threatening situation, so acting quickly and seeking help is a necessity. The worst thing you can do is wait to see if the symptoms improve. The longer the person stays without help, the more likely it is that they will be left with a permanent disability. However, if they get to the hospital soon after experiencing symptoms and receive appropriate treatment, they have a much better chance of a smooth recovery.