If you or someone you know starts to suffer from chronic headaches, then you should seek medical advice as this could lead to a stroke. If you suspect that someone is having a stroke, then you need to call an ambulance straight away. When it comes to a stroke, the faster you act, the more of a person you save.
Below are the key things to look for if you suspect that someone might be having a stroke. A stroke generally begins on one side of the body, and you have to act fast to prevent extensive nerve damage.
The Face
One of the first physical signs of a stroke is that a person’s face drops. The drop is generally on one side, so it is easy to spot. If you see someone’s face drop like that, don’t wait for any other signs that it might be a stroke, get help immediately.
Lost of Strength & Movement in the Arms
When someone complains that their arm feels weak and they are finding it hard to move, this can be another sign that the person is having a stroke. When the weakness happens in conjunction with one side of the face dropping, you need to get help fast. If the person is still properly conscious, ask them to lift both arms in the air. If they have trouble with one, and it points downward, this could be a sign of stroke. The sooner you get help for a potential stroke victim, the better their chance of recovery.
Difficulty in Speaking
If someone appears to have difficulty speaking, this is another sign that they may be suffering a stroke. The effects of stroke don’t always come in a particular order; for example, they may have difficulty with speaking even though their face has not yet dropped. You should try and get them to say something simple like ‘today is Tuesday’, if they can’t get the words out properly, then this, particularly when accompanied with any of the above, could mean they are having a stroke.
Act Quickly
If you are confronted with someone who appears to be having a stroke, you need to call an ambulance straight away. Make sure that you can describe what is happening to the other person, and roughly how much time has passed since you noticed these symptoms. The key to avoiding the worst effects of a stroke is to act as quickly as possible. The longer the symptoms go unnoticed, the more damage the person will suffer. Knowing what to look for if you suspect someone may be having a stroke could make an enormous difference to his or her life in the future.
Contact NDFA today if you require any First Aid training for you, your family or a group.
