Symptoms of a stroke

Identifying a stroke is not always an easy thing to do. The symptoms that initially present themselves prior to the onset of a stroke are not always easy to spot particularly to those who don’t know what to look for. They can be found, however, and in the heat of a moment, spotting these can help save lives. These symptoms may include difficulty in both speaking and understanding, the development of numbness for specific body parts or even one side of the body, increased difficulty in seeing for one or both eyes, the development of trouble with regards to motor functions, persisting headaches with no apparent cause, as well as symptoms that may be more recognizable as adverse drug reactions. Should any one of these symptoms persist, a medical professional must be contacted immediately before taking any other action?

Treatment for the stroke

Particularly when a patient suffers an ischemic stroke, the immediate reaction to their episode must be the provision of medicine. The medicine provided in this instance is designed to remove the clots that were the cause for the stroke in the first place. The drugs are to be taken again, but only according to the set guidelines by the medical professional. Once the condition of the patient is stabilized, he or she should be admitted to a hospital for further observations. The observations need to take place for a minimum of 24 to 48 hours, and if the patient shows progress, only, then can a release from the hospital be considered. During the 24 to 48 hour period in which the patient is confined to the hospital, he or she may be placed under the care of a neurologist or a different kind of specialist depending on the severity of the stroke. Once the more serious effects of the stroke have subsided, the patient will undergo rehabilitation to hopefully restore any function that may have been impaired because of the episode.

Prevention as cure

The old cliché is that prevention is always the most effective cure, and it is certainly the case when it comes to a stroke? Several different factors can lead to a stroke, and it is through ensuring that they are not at dangerous levels that an individual can successfully reduce their odds of being affected by one. These different factors that can cause a stroke include hypertension, smoking, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, the lack of physical activity, and an improper diet. All of these factors when not taken care of can cause an incidence of a stroke. This would mean that proper prevention would require the adoption of a healthier lifestyle that is lighter on damaging substances and enriched with plenty of exercise, and a generally more active approach to each day.