Live in care at Home – Elderly home care blog

What is a stroke is a question that is asked regularly and in some instances can be very dibilitating!

A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. A blood clot restricting the flow of blood to the brain is the most common cause of strokes, but some are caused by bleeding in or around the brain from a burst blood vessel.

– In both cases the brain is starved of oxygen, damaging or killing cells
– Sufferers are often left with difficulty talking, walking and performing other basic tasks.

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

Not everyone will have the same symptoms and the symptoms may vary. The most common symptoms to look out for are:

– a sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body
– sudden loss or blurring of vision, in one or both eyes
– sudden difficulty speaking or understanding spoken language

In addition the following symptoms may also be apparent:

– sudden confusion
– sudden or severe headache with no apparent cause
– dizziness, unsteadiness or a sudden fall, especially with any of the other symptoms.

What are the clear signs that someone has suffered a stroke?

There’s three key things to look for.

– Facial weakness – Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
– Arm weakness – Can the person raise both arms?
– Speech problems – Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?

What should I do if I think someone has had a stroke?

A stroke is a medical emergency. If you suspect a stroke call 999 immediately.

By calling 999, you can help someone reach hospital quickly and receive the early treatment they need. Prompt action can prevent further damage to the brain and help someone make a full recovery.
Delay can result in death or major long-term disabilities like paralysis, severe memory loss and communication problems.

What is a Transient Ischaemic Attack or TIA?

A TIA (sometimes called mini stroke) is similar to a full stroke but the symptoms may only last a few minutes and will have completely gone within 24 hours. Don’t ignore this because it could lead to a major stroke. See your GP as soon as possible and ask to be referred to a specialist stroke service. This should happen within seven days.

You can obtain further information from your local NHS direct or by calling the Stroke Association Helpline on 0845 3033100