Stroke Care

 

 

Stroke Care

 

Risk Factors

 

Classification

 

Assessment

 

Treatment

 

References

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stroke: Signs & Symptoms

 

A stroke is the permanent damage to a region of the brain resulting from blockage of a blood vessel(s), or bleeding within the brain. Subsequently, the outcome of this event is dependent on the death of brain cells in the affected region to determine the degree of impairment and disability experienced by the patient. For example, different centres of the brain are responsible for an individual’s movement, vision, and memory; once a stroke occurs, the affected region of the brain will function differently in comparison to its original state and may die completely, while the patient may experience partial or complete memory loss as a result. (Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon, 2009i)

 

Be observant for the following signs & symptoms of a stroke:

·        “Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body” (Field, 2006, p. 107).

·        “Sudden confusion” (Field, 2006, p. 107).

·        “Trouble speaking or understanding” (Field, 2006, p. 107).

·        “Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes” (Field, 2006, p. 107).

·        “Sudden trouble walking” (Field, 2006, p. 107).

·        “Dizziness or loss of balance or coordination” (Field, 2006, p. 107).

·        “Sudden severe headache with no known cause” (Field, 2006, p. 107).

 

Considering the very nature of a stroke, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon (2008) are warning Canadians to identify stroke as a medical emergency since this diagnosis requires immediate treatment for improved patient outcomes and quality of life. Hence, the first step to getting treatment is to promptly identify these signs and symptoms, and call 911 at once. (Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon, 2009f)

 

Thereafter, stroke care is goal-directed “to minimize brain injury and

 

maximize the patient’s recovery” (Field, 2006, 104).

 

 

 

Statistics evidencing the detrimental effects of stroke:

  • Stroke is “the third most common cause of death in developed countries” (World Health Organization, 2002).
  • Stroke is the “second leading cause of death [for those] above the age of 60 years, and the fifth leading cause [of death] in people aged 15-19 years old” (World Health Organization, 2002).
  • “Worldwide, 3 million women and 2. 5 million men die from stroke every year” (World Health Organization, 2002).

 

 

Ms. Simmi Prasad April 9, 2009