Stroke: Early Signs, Emergency Assistance, and Rehabilitation

Early Signs, Emergency Assistance, and Rehabilitation

A stroke is an acute disruption of cerebral blood circulation that occurs when the blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted, leading to damage to brain cells. This is an extremely dangerous condition that requires immediate intervention, as every minute counts. It is crucial to understand the signs of a stroke, know how to provide emergency assistance, and be aware of what happens during the rehabilitation stage after a stroke.

Causes of Stroke

A stroke can be caused by two main factors:

1. Ischemic Stroke – occurs when blood fails to reach the brain due to a blockage in a blood vessel. This can be related to blood clots, fatty deposits, or embolism.
2. Hemorrhagic Stroke – happens when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding into the brain. Ischemic stroke is much more common, accounting for about 80% of all cases, while hemorrhagic stroke is less frequent but can have more severe consequences.

Early Signs of Stroke

Recognizing the signs of a stroke is essential to provide timely help and minimize the impact. A stroke develops quickly, and the faster help is provided, the higher the chances of minimizing damage to the body. Here are the main signs of a stroke:

1. Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body — an arm or leg may become less mobile or numb.
2. Speech difficulties — unclear or incomprehensible speech. A person may begin to speak unintelligibly, have difficulty pronouncing words, or be unable to speak at all.
3. Vision problems — loss of vision in one or both eyes, or double vision.
4. Dizziness or loss of coordination — the person may begin to stagger, losing balance.
5. Severe headache — especially if it occurs suddenly and without an obvious cause.
6. Inability to raise both arms simultaneously — if a person cannot raise one arm or has trouble lifting both arms, it could be a sign of a stroke.

How to Provide Emergency Assistance in the Event of a Stroke?

If you notice stroke symptoms in someone, you need to act quickly. Here’s what you should do:

1. Immediately call emergency services (dial 112 or 103 in Russia). The sooner the patient reaches the hospital, the higher the chance of a favorable outcome. It’s important not to delay calling for emergency help and not to attempt transporting the person to the hospital on your own.
2. Check their response. Ask the person to smile, raise both hands, and say a simple sentence (for example, “What is your name?”). If they have trouble performing these simple tasks, it may also indicate a stroke.
3. Do not give the patient food or water. Even if the person is conscious, they may be unable to swallow food or liquids due to coordination issues, which could lead to choking.
4. Stay calm. It’s important not to panic. Wait for the emergency team to arrive and try to calm the patient.
5. Ensure the patient is in a safe position. If the person is unconscious, place them on their side to prevent choking from vomit. If the patient is conscious, try to seat them or place them in a semi-reclining position to make breathing easier.
6. Remember the time of symptom onset. Doctors will ask you about the time the first symptoms appeared. This is crucial for choosing the right treatment since some methods, such as thrombolysis, can only be effective within a few hours of the stroke.

Stroke Treatment

Treatment for a stroke depends on the type of stroke:

• Ischemic Stroke – thrombolytics (clot-dissolving medications) may be administered if the stroke is detected within the first few hours. Surgical intervention may also be required to remove the clot.
• Hemorrhagic Stroke – treatment includes controlling the bleeding and stabilizing the patient’s condition. Surgery may be needed to remove the blood or address the cause of the bleeding.
• Medication – includes drugs to normalize blood pressure, improve cerebral circulation, and prevent a recurrent stroke.

Rehabilitation After Stroke

Rehabilitation is a recovery process that starts as soon as the patient is stabilized and can last for many months or even years. The importance of rehabilitation lies in helping the patient recover as many bodily functions as possible, reduce the effects of the stroke, and improve the quality of life.

1. Physiotherapy – recovery of physical activity often requires a prolonged period and includes sessions with a physiotherapist aimed at improving motor skills. This can include exercises to restore strength, flexibility, and coordination.
2. Speech Therapy – if the patient has speech problems, they may need help from a speech therapist to restore speech, articulation, and other communication skills.
3. Psychological Support – many patients face depression and anxiety after a stroke. Psychological support and psychotherapy help patients cope with emotional and psychological difficulties.
4. Medication for Rehabilitation – recovery may require various medications, such as those aimed at improving cognitive function or preventing future blood clot formation.
5. Cognitive Rehabilitation – a stroke can impair memory, attention, and other cognitive functions. Neuropsychologists may assist in restoring the patient’s mental abilities.

Stroke Prevention

It is better to prevent a stroke than to treat its consequences. To do this, it is important to follow these recommendations:

• Control blood pressure.
• Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption.
• Follow a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains.
• Maintain an active lifestyle, including regular physical exercise.
• Control blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol.

Life After a Stroke

After a stroke, the patient’s life changes, and restoring lost functions must be done gradually. It is important to understand that the rehabilitation process will be individual for each patient, depending on the type of stroke, its severity, and the patient’s age. Some patients may achieve significant recovery, while others may only recover some of the lost functions.

Physical Activity: Regular physical exercises adapted to the patient's condition are the foundation of recovery. Physical activity helps strengthen muscles, improve coordination and balance, and enhance the cardiovascular system. These methods may include:

• Walking and light walks – even simple walking can significantly improve the patient’s condition.
• Stretching exercises – these help improve flexibility and prevent muscle atrophy.
• Balance exercises – as balance is often disrupted after a stroke, it’s important to train the ability to maintain stability. The key is to follow a regimen and gradually increase physical load. All exercises should be prescribed by a doctor and conducted under the supervision of a physiotherapist.

Psychological Support: The patient’s psychological state after a stroke also requires special attention. Memory issues, emotional disturbances, depression, and anxiety are common after a stroke. It’s important to support the patient not only from a medical perspective but also on a psychological level:

• Psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy will help the patient cope with depression and anxiety, restore confidence in themselves and their abilities.
• Family support plays a crucial role in the recovery process. Emotional stability in the family helps improve the patient’s condition. Some patients may suffer from post-stroke depression, which causes feelings of hopelessness and loss of interest in life. In such cases, professional help from a psychotherapist is essential, who can offer medications (antidepressants) and cognitive rehabilitation techniques.

Maintaining Independence: An important goal of rehabilitation is to restore the patient’s level of independence. This can include:

• Self-care training – skills such as eating independently and personal hygiene (washing, dressing).
• Use of special devices and tools – to make daily life easier for the patient, various tools such as walkers, crutches, and assistive devices for household tasks may be recommended.
• Restoration of household skills – teaching the patient to cook, manage household tasks, and return to work or hobbies (if possible).

The Role of Family and Care for the Patient: The family plays a vital role in the rehabilitation process. This support is not only moral but also involves active participation in the patient’s functional recovery. The more involved the family is, the faster the patient will recover and adapt to life after a stroke.

Tasks for the family include:

• Psychological support – the patient needs to feel they are not alone, that they are loved and supported despite the changes that have occurred.
• Daily routine – it’s important to provide stability and clarity in the patient’s daily routine. This helps them adapt and restore inner harmony.
• Regular performance of exercises and medical prescriptions – the family must ensure that the patient follows the doctor’s recommendations, including taking medications and performing exercises.

Prognosis and Long-term Consequences of Stroke

The prognosis after a stroke depends on several factors, such as:

• Severity of the stroke: the more extensive the stroke and the later treatment begins, the greater the likelihood of long-term consequences.
• Patient’s age: younger people generally recover faster and more completely than older individuals.
• Pre-stroke health: chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity significantly increase the risk of stroke and complicate recovery.
• Quality of rehabilitation: the more actively the patient engages in recovery, the better the outcomes. The sooner rehabilitation begins, the better the results will be.

Prevention of Recurrent Strokes

After a stroke, it is extremely important to prevent the recurrence of the disease. Recommendations include:

• Regularly monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.
• Following a fiber-rich diet with low fat and salt content.
• Engaging in physical activity: regular walks, swimming, or yoga can help maintain cardiovascular health.
• Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption.
• Taking prescribed medications: anticoagulants may be prescribed to prevent blood clots, as well as other medications to maintain normal cardiovascular function.

Conclusion

Stroke is a serious and dangerous condition that can significantly change the life of a patient. However, thanks to modern diagnostic methods, treatments, and proper rehabilitation, many patients can recover and return to an active life. It is essential to understand that rehabilitation is a long and gradual process that requires patience, effort, and support from loved ones.

Prevention of stroke and the proper treatment of conditions that may lead to it are key aspects of maintaining health and quality of life in the long term.

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