Having a Stroke and what to do. (1 Viewer)

Don Quixote

Free Member
Jul 29, 2012
2,966
5,257
Lost in La Mancha, Spain
Funster No
22,171
MH
VW T6 Campervan
Exp
Not long enough, but a little common sense helps..........
If you suspect that you or someone else is having a stroke, phone 999 / 112 immediately and ask for an ambulance.

Anyone can have a stroke, although there are some things that make you more at risk than others.
Many people think that strokes only happen to older people but stroke can strike anyone at any time.
Whilst most people who have a stroke are older, younger people can have strokes too, including children. One in four strokes in the UK happen in people under the age of 65.


Even if the symptoms of a stroke disappear while you are waiting for the ambulance to arrive, you or the person having the stroke should still go to hospital for an assessment.

Symptoms that disappear quickly (and in less than 24 hours) may mean you have had a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) (mini stroke) and you could be at risk of having a full stroke in the near future.

After an initial assessment, you may need to be admitted to hospital to receive a more in-depth assessment and, if necessary, for specialist treatment to begin.


Recognising the signs of a stroke
The signs and symptoms of a stroke vary from person to person but usually begin suddenly. As different parts of your brain control different parts of your body, your symptoms will depend on the part of your brain affected and the extent of the damage.

The main stroke symptoms can be remembered with the word FAST: Face-Arms-Speech-Time.

  • Face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile or their mouth or eye may have drooped.
  • Arms – the person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of arm weakness or numbness in one arm.
  • Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake.
  • Time – it is time to dial 999 immediately if you notice any of these signs or symptoms.
It is important for everyone to be aware of these signs and symptoms. If you live with or care for somebody in a high-risk group, such as someone who is elderly or has diabetes or high blood pressure, being aware of the symptoms is even more important.

Other possible symptoms
Symptoms in the FAST test identify most strokes, but occasionally a stroke can cause different symptoms.

Other symptoms and signs may include:
  • complete paralysis of one side of the body
  • sudden loss or blurring of vision
  • dizziness
  • confusion
  • difficulty understanding what others are saying
  • problems with balance and co-ordination
  • difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
  • a sudden and very severe headache resulting in a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before
  • loss of consciousness
However, there are usually other causes for these symptoms.

'Mini-stroke' or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
The symptoms of a TIA are the same as a stroke, but they tend to only last between a few minutes and a few hours before disappearing completely.

Although the symptoms do improve, a TIA should never be ignored as it is a serious warning sign there is a problem with the blood supply to your brain and means you are at an increased risk of having a stroke in the near future.

Please cut / paste / print this simple card and put in your wallet, purse or stick on the cupboard door of your motorhome. One day it might save a life.

FAST.png

There is an "App" all be it american and free in the app store for iPhones:
Broken Link Removed
and for Android:
Broken Link Removed
All advice from NHS UK.
 

Puddleduck

LIFE MEMBER
Jan 15, 2014
12,357
43,866
Scottish Borders
Funster No
29,703
MH
Without at present
Exp
On and off for many years.
A stroke is caused by lack of blood to the brain. This can be due to either a block or a bleed (plug or leak). Aspirin is useful when there is a block but would make a leak worse.
 
OP
OP
Don Quixote

Don Quixote

Free Member
Jul 29, 2012
2,966
5,257
Lost in La Mancha, Spain
Funster No
22,171
MH
VW T6 Campervan
Exp
Not long enough, but a little common sense helps..........
A stroke is caused by lack of blood to the brain. This can be due to either a block or a bleed (plug or leak). Aspirin is useful when there is a block but would make a leak worse.
PLEASE do not give aspirin UNLESS you are qualified to do so - ASPIRIN is NOT A TREATMENT for stroke.
The simple answer is – no! Aspirin should not be given initially to a patient suspected of having a stroke.

This is because there are two forms of stroke:

1. Ischemic stroke: this is similar to a heart attack and occurs when a clot blocks an artery in the brain causing ischemia and infarction of brain tissue (death of cells due to lack of oxygen)

2. Hemorrhagic stroke: this is rarer, but occurs due to a burst blood vessel in the brain resulting in bleeding
Types-of-Stroke.jpg


Aspirin works by making the blood less ‘sticky’. It is great for breaking down clots, however could worsen any bleeding into the brain.

When someone has a stroke you don’t know which type of stroke they are having! There is no way of knowing if the stroke is ischemic or hemorrhagic. Therefore we don’t know? if aspirin will help or cause harm.

The only way to find out the type of stroke is a brain scan performed in hospital.
Therefore the best first aid treatment for someone with a suspected stroke is to call for emergency services / help as soon as possible. IF you give a drug you MAY risk stopping the drug that the QUALIFIED staff in the hospital can use and DELAY treatment.

Please READ my post in detail as it direct from NHS UK.
 
Last edited:

Finvarra

Free Member
Aug 6, 2014
38
93
scotland
Funster No
32,698
MH
Bailey Approach 740SE
Exp
Since August 2013
Dave is allergic to aspirin, it will send him straight into a severe asthma attack requiring emergency treatment, I hope no well-meaning person would ever give him aspirin.

Lesley

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

DanielFord

Free Member
Jun 1, 2013
3,020
3,086
Funster No
26,287
Just as an aside, it is worth checking for a medical bracelet or pendant, or perhaps in the wallet of the patient. There is another condition which presents in exactly the same manner, but is totally harmless. I know this because I suffer from it. It's called hemiplegic migraine I actually have a card that I hold up to concerned people, it says:
HEMIPLEGIC MIGRAINE SUFFERER
I will be unable to speak at onset, please treat with NSAIDS (ibuprofen) in my inside pocket.
Thanks
 

alfandM

Free Member
Mar 12, 2012
1,065
1,174
sweden
Funster No
20,123
MH
A
Exp
1992
Hi Don,A very well written and informative ,and folk should keep it ,for a fast first aid guide,and folk remember, F, A, S,T, it could save a life,so thanks again for sharing ,Best regards Regards Alf. PS, i have been a victim.
 

Khizzie

Free Member
Jul 26, 2014
3,794
5,695
Le Repaire,Thiviers,France
Funster No
32,561
MH
Autocriuse stargazer
Exp
since 2002
Dave is allergic to aspirin, it will send him straight into a severe asthma attack requiring emergency treatment, I hope no well-meaning person would ever give him aspirin.

Lesley

I have same allergic reaction to asprin and all its derivatives including ibrufruven ,and like you hope that no well meaning soul administers it to me ..I have a sign stating such in the motorhome just in case ..Roy

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

MattR

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 18, 2013
4,083
37,392
Beds
Funster No
27,578
MH
Panel van
Exp
Years
I have same allergic reaction to asprin and all its derivatives including ibrufruven ,and like you hope that no well meaning soul administers it to me ..I have a sign stating such in the motorhome just in case ..Roy

Do you have a Med alert bracelet? Peeps might try and give aspirin should you have or appear to have a heart attack. They shouldn't force aspirin on you but they are unlikely to look around your motorhome to look for signs etc if you're being treated.
 

Finvarra

Free Member
Aug 6, 2014
38
93
scotland
Funster No
32,698
MH
Bailey Approach 740SE
Exp
Since August 2013
Dave wears a tag around his neck all the time stating not to give aspirin, but I wonder how many people would look in an emergency.

Lesley
 
OP
OP
Don Quixote

Don Quixote

Free Member
Jul 29, 2012
2,966
5,257
Lost in La Mancha, Spain
Funster No
22,171
MH
VW T6 Campervan
Exp
Not long enough, but a little common sense helps..........
Dave wears a tag around his neck all the time stating not to give aspirin, but I wonder how many people would look in an emergency.

Lesley
Lesley, you would be surprised how many look. There is a bracelet as well that he can wear.

Try Amazon:
41wQBAtVzKL._SY300_.jpg

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Attachments

  • 41clzFghuvL._SL500_SR100,100_.jpg
    41clzFghuvL._SL500_SR100,100_.jpg
    2.2 KB · Views: 4

Khizzie

Free Member
Jul 26, 2014
3,794
5,695
Le Repaire,Thiviers,France
Funster No
32,561
MH
Autocriuse stargazer
Exp
since 2002
Do you have a Med alert bracelet? Peeps might try and give aspirin should you have or appear to have a heart attack. They shouldn't force aspirin on you but they are unlikely to look around your motorhome to look for signs etc if you're being treated.

No I don't ,but I will get one.thanks. the sign in motorhome is taped to one of the overhead lockers which contains all my medication for my copd.plus a first aid kit..Roy
 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top