May Is Stroke Awareness Month

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States affected nearly 800,000 people every year. The condition, also known as “brain attack”, can strike at any time, to anyone of any age.

Stroke is caused by either a plaque blockage (acute ischemic stroke) in a blood vessel that carries oxygen to the brain or the vessel ruptures and bleeds (hemorrhagic stroke). Every 10 minutes can save up to 20 million brain cells so it is crucial to be able to recognize the signs of stroke and act fast. If you suspect stroke in yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately and seek medical attention.

Since stroke is not selective toward older generations, it is important that everyone is aware of the warning signs. More than 60 percent of the cases are reported by someone other than the person suffering from the stroke. The warning signs can be subtle and hard to recognize so knowing these signs can be crucial in the event of the sudden onset of stroke.

Here are the 10 warning signs of stroke:

• Confusion
• Difficulty understanding
• Dizziness
• Loss of balance
• Numbness
• Severe Headache
• Trouble speaking
• Trouble walking
• Vision changes
• Weakness

Over 6.5 million people in the United States are stroke survivors. If you or someone around you experiences a sudden onset of any of these symptoms seek help right away. The sooner you get help, the better chance you have of preventing damage long-lasting damage.

What can you do to prevent stroke from happening to you? There are certain risk factors that are out of your control including age, race, and gender or family history. However, there are many things you can do to manage your health and preventative measures you can take to reduce the chances of having a stroke.

Manageable risk factors of stroke include high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation (AFib), high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, poor circulation, lack of physical activity, and obesity. Living a healthy and active lifestyle, avoiding smoking, tobacco products, and limiting alcohol consumption will surely help reduce your stroke risk.

Your awareness of the warning signs, symptoms and risk factors of stroke can be the difference in saving a life. Encourage others to educate themselves about stroke and how to prevent it. Act quickly and trust yourself. Your knowledge can help improve treatment, prevent terminal damage, and improve recovery from stroke.

According to the National Stroke Association, family caregivers can promote positive post-stroke recovery outcomes.

“Caregivers have played an essential role in family’s lives for centuries,” said Rhiannon Acree, president of Cambrian Homecare. “Reducing the stress of the family post-stroke is essential in the entire family’s recovery“

Based in Long Beach, Cambrian Homecare has provided families and individuals with the care they need since 1996. For more information on caregiving services, visit https://www.cambrianhomecare.com/index.php/en/

To learn more about stroke and how to recognize all 10 signs and symptoms, visit www.strokeawareness.com.

tanjanae@beachcomber.news