Don Quixote
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- Jul 29, 2012
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- 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.
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:
'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.
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.
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.
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
'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.
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.