The importance of recognizing the symptoms of a stroke and proper treatment

Stroke is a serious health problem that is often experienced by many people. Even so, it is not uncommon for people to misunderstand the symptoms of a stroke that is being experienced with other serious conditions. Therefore, understand some of the symptoms of stroke and how they differ from the symptoms of other diseases below.

Various symptoms of stroke that often appear

There are several characteristics of a stroke that you must be aware of. Are as follows.

1. Sudden numbness

The most common signs or symptoms of stroke are numbness and weakness in the face, arms, legs, or one side of the patient's body. To determine whether or not these symptoms are present, try to raise your hands upward.

If one hand starts to fall without moving, you may be experiencing the symptoms of a stroke. Likewise, when you try to smile and one corner of your lips begins to drop without moving.

2. Impaired vision

The signs and symptoms of the next stroke are the appearance of visual disturbances. This condition also occurs suddenly, without prior warning. While experiencing it, you may only feel a shadowy gaze.

However, there are also those who suddenly cannot see in one or both of their eyes. If not treated immediately, this condition can cause permanent blindness in stroke patients.

3. Speech problems and difficulty understanding what other people say

A characteristic of stroke that is also often experienced by patients is a speech disorder. The patient may lose the ability to speak normally. At that time, the patient was unable to speak word for word fluently. Often times, his tongue slips and can't spell words properly.

Not only that, patients may also find it difficult to understand what other people say. In fact, it is possible that the sentences uttered by the interlocutor are only simple sentences that are usually easy to understand.

4. Headache as a symptom of a stroke

This one stroke symptom is also one of the most experienced. Headaches, which are usually accompanied by vomiting, dizziness, and loss of self-awareness are signs that you are having a stroke. Usually, headaches that are a symptom of this stroke appear without a specific cause.

5. Difficulty walking

Patients who experience stroke also have the potential to experience walking problems, adjusting balance to regulating body coordination. If you suddenly lose your balance while walking followed by intense headaches and loss of coordination, it may be a symptom of a stroke.

6. Losing self-awareness

If it is at a severe enough level, people who have had a stroke have the potential to lose self-awareness. Usually, this condition occurs when the patient experiences acute headaches and is not treated promptly.

How are the symptoms of a stroke different from other health conditions?

Stroke symptoms are often misunderstood as a symptom of another disease. Conversely, the symptoms of other diseases are often considered as symptoms of a stroke. In fact, if you do self-diagnosisand get the wrong treatment for either you or someone closest to you, the condition you experience can be more severe.

Of the many symptoms of stroke that are often misunderstood as symptoms of other diseases, headaches are one of them. The reason is, dizziness can be a sign of various serious illnesses, including heart attacks, hypertension, meningitis, and so on.

To tell the difference, what you need to know is that dizziness caused by a stroke is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting and loss of self-awareness. Headaches or dizziness due to stroke usually appear suddenly, while dizziness or headaches such as migraines appear gradually.

If you just feel lightheadedness, are not accompanied by other conditions, and don't come on suddenly, it could be a sign of another condition. However, to be sure, you can check your health condition to a doctor to get a further diagnosis.

The F.A.S.T. method to find out the symptoms of a stroke

F.A.S.T. is a simple method that can be used by patients and those around them to detect symptoms of a stroke, before the patient is taken to the nearest doctor or hospital.

This method can help patients to get stroke treatment according to their condition. The most effective stroke treatment can be provided if a stroke diagnosis can be made within three hours of the patient experiencing his first stroke symptoms.

If you think that someone around you is experiencing symptoms of a stroke, act quickly and adopt the F.A.S.T. to predict the presence of stroke symptoms in that person. This method can be done in the following way.

F - Face: Ask the person to smile. Notice if one side of the face is loose and is not raised upward.

A — Arms: Ask the person to raise both hands up. Watch to see if one hand drops down on its own.

S - Speech: Ask the person to say the simple sentence you said first. See if the person can say the exact same sentence you said, or if you hear a word that is not pronounced well.

T — Time: If you see any of these symptoms, have your condition checked by a doctor or take it to the nearest hospital for treatment.

If necessary, record the time at which you notice the first symptoms of a stroke appear. This information can help doctors and the medical team determine the most effective treatment for patients.

Things to do when stroke symptoms arise

Apart from applying the F.A.S.T. To find out the symptoms of a stroke, you also need to pay attention to what to do to help patients who are suspected of having a stroke. There are three things that must be done, such as:

1. Call the Emergency Room or 112

Observing the presence of stroke symptoms in other people and yourself may not be easy. Especially if you feel new or unfamiliar with this one disease.

If after doing the F.A.S.T. and think you or someone closest to you is showing symptoms of a stroke, immediately contact the Emergency Unit (UGD) from the nearest hospital or Indonesia's emergency service number, 112.

2. Recording the first time the stroke symptoms appeared

If you or someone close to you experiences symptoms of a stroke, as much as possible record the first time the symptoms appeared. This will be very influential in determining the type of treatment for the patient.

The reason is,tissue plasminogen activator(tPA), a stroke medication that destroys blood clots, can stop symptoms if given to patients within 4.5 hours of initial symptoms appearing.

In addition, endovascular therapy, which is usually used to treat ischemic strokes, can also treat aneurysms or blood vessels that become enlarged and ruptured, causing pressure on the brain.

Endovascular therapy is most effective if it is done within 24 hours of the first symptoms appearing. Not surprisingly, the timing of the onset of symptoms is very important and determines the treatment options for patients.

3. Give CPR

In fact, most stroke patients don't need helpcardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, if the person closest to you is suddenly unconscious, check their pulse and breathing. If the pulse is not felt and the patient's chest does not rise and fall (not breathing), call emergency services (112) and start giving CPR while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

You can also ask emergency services for guidance over the phone so you can administer CPR. Usually CPR is done by pressing the patient's chest repeatedly in a certain position.

Things that should not be done when helping stroke patients

In addition to what you have to do, there are also things you shouldn't do if you or someone closest to you has symptoms of a stroke, such as:

1. Do not let the patient sleep

Stroke sufferers are often suddenly drowsy when the first stroke occurs. Actually there is no specific prohibition for stroke sufferers to sleep. Unfortunately, the treatment given is usually very time sensitive.

Therefore, when taking stroke medications, patients are not advised to sleep. In fact, patients are also discouraged from contacting the doctor first because in this situation, going straight to the Emergency Unit is a must.

2. Do not give drugs and food and drink

There are two types of stroke, namely ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage of blood vessels. Meanwhile, hemorrhagic strokes are caused by ruptured blood vessels.

According to Penn Medicine, often stroke patients experience this type of ischemic stroke. However, if not, the patient may have a hemorrhagic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke patients should not take aspirin.

Unfortunately, you or someone closest to you must undergo a stroke diagnosis procedure first to find out which type of stroke you experienced. That's why you are not advised to consume or give any drugs to patients.

Stroke patients who have not received treatment from a doctor are also not advised to consume food or drinks. The reason is, a stroke can affect the patient's ability to swallow.

3. Do not drive a vehicle or use a private car

If you are taking the closest person who is suspected of having a stroke, avoid driving a private vehicle. Especially if you are experiencing stroke symptoms yourself. Better to call the emergency services (112) or the Emergency Unit (UGD) from the nearest hospital to be picked up by ambulance.

Emergency services can help provide life-saving treatment, until at least, the patient reaches the emergency room. You are also not advised to drive a private vehicle when you feel symptoms of a stroke because it is feared that the symptoms will get worse while on the way.

Knowing that you or someone closest to you is experiencing the symptoms of a stroke is not a pleasant experience. In fact, you may even feel shocked and don't know what to do.

However, keep in mind some of the steps that have been mentioned above, and also avoid steps that you should not take. That way, you have also helped save yourself and those closest to you getting the best treatment.