Dial 9-1-1!!! That is the best advice I can give if you if are experiencing Stroke symptoms. Do not have someone drive you to the ER. You are wasting precious time and your brain cells are dying every minute that you waste. They do not come back. Watch this video http://stroke.nih.gov/materials/ambulancevideo.htm
As an RN I have worked on a Level One Stroke Unit since 2007. The secret to the majority of strokes is prevention and early intervention. There are two main types of strokes: hemorrhagic (bleed) and ischemic (lack of blood flow). They have different treatments for each. When I say the word treatment I use that with caution. Once a stroke symptoms appear there is a narrow window of time where an actual treatment may be administered. If that opportunity is missed the next step is to try to get enough oxygen to the area of injury to save some surrounding tissue and lessen the effects of the stroke.
I cannot tell you how many times I have heard patients say, “I was having problems seeing clearly a couple of days before this” or “I haven’t felt right for a few days”. This is not to say they would have prevented a stroke from occurring but, if they would have sought out their doctor a full comprehensive exam it could have revealed some warning signs.
This also shows the importance of a yearly physical. It is so important for the doctor to look at patterns in blood pressure, weight gain, family history, and lab results. This small appointment each year can prevent so many things. The most important thing you can do at home is to eat a well-balanced diet, exercise, and do not smoke.
There has been an aggressive campaign by media to alert people to the warnings signs of a stroke or TIA. A TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) is the biggest warning sign people have for a pending stroke. They usually resolve quickly and people do not seek medical help. This can be devastating. If they sought help they could be placed on an anticoagulant (Aspirin, Lovenox, Coumadin, Aggrenox) to keep their blood thin and prevent a large, debilitating stroke from occurring. If the stroke occurs because of a bleeding blood vessel then the vessel must be repaired surgically (if they are able) and the patient will have to be monitored in a much closer environment like an ICU to prevent secondary brain injury from occurring. That is why treatment should be sought as soon as possible and do not try to treat yourself at home until you know what type of stroke it is you could inflict more damage.
I am passionate about this subject. Strokes don’t just kill they debilitate for life. I am convinced that if people are educated they can prevent themselves or their friends and families from dealing with such a debilitating event.
So please learn as much as you can and if this event occurs in either you or your family’s life you can recognize, act fast, and save someone or your own life.
I am listing credible websites where accurate information can be found on strokes. My intended audience is anyone. I just want this information out there to as many people as possible. This was just a very brief introduction to Strokes. My intention is to use the most credible resources possible. The more we are informed the less we harm.
The American Stroke Association http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/
They work with the American Heart Association to provide information for the public on Strokes. Go to the Warning Signs tab and tell everyone you know the warning signs and the importance of calling 9-1-1!!!
Medline Plus through the National Library of Medicine http://vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta?v%3Aproject=medlineplus&query=strokes
This site gives great definitions and medical information that can be trusted. It also is a database and provide links to other sites that give information regarding strokes. There are inactive tutorials, anantomy lessons, and so much more. This is a greak link.
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stroke
This gives a great overview of a stroke in easy to understand terms. It also discusses the difference between a hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. It may be a little involved but, anyone wishing to dig a little deeper into what is actually occurring in a stroke should read this.
Dr. Jill Taylor
http://www.drjilltaylor.com/index.html
This is the website of a Neuroanatomist Dr. Jill Taylor who at 37 years old experience a stroke and has gone on to write a book about her experience. It is a fascinating book and she explains everything in very easy to understand terms. She walks through her experience step by step as she saw it. She has been on Oprah and several talk show discussing her experience.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU&feature=related
This is Dr. Taylor’s you tube video that describes her hemorrhagic (bleed) event. She delves into anatomy, shows a human brain, and it lasts about 20 minutes. She is a great speaker that grabs your attention and puts things into an easy to understand format.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XTINfPhzMM&feature=related
Here is the Oprah video of her interviewing Dr. Taylor. She also talks about her experience in the hospital and the effect the nurses and doctors’ attitudes have on the patient’s perception during this very scary time.
The National Institutes of Health
This entire website gives a wide breadth of information on strokes. It has available materials to order for individuals or groups. There are several videos and even a quiz available to test your knowledge of a stroke
http://stroke.nih.gov/materials/knowstrokevideo.htm
This is a good video, part of a public awareness campaign explaining that a stroke is a medical emergency and why.
The Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.org/stroke/prevention.html
The clinic website gives concise, accurate information on the prevention and factors that predispose a person to a Stroke that can be controlled. In most cases a stroke can be prevented with lifestyle changes and in some cases medicine. Please don’t wait until it has already happened to make these changes in your life.
Stroke Awareness Foundation
View this 5 minute video of Charles Toeniskoetter the cofounder of Stroke Awareness Foundation. He is a success story that illustrates what can happen if a person acts fast and the people around that person are educated to use the right resources. They also provide an easy to remember acronym on the website to recognize signs and symptoms F-A-S-T
National Directory for Stroke Centers
http://www.strokecenter.org/strokecenters.html
This is a national directory for Stroke Centers. Stroke Centers are certified by the Joint Commission to ensure that specific protocols are followed when a person enters the ER with Stroke symptoms. It is crucial that in the event you or a loved one are experiencing stroke like symptoms that you insist on being taken to the nearest Stroke facility. They have the equipment, staff, and pharmaceuticals necessary to treat you properly.
