STROKE

A stroke is where the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted. The main causes of strokes are ruptured blood vessel, damage to the brain, or blockages to a blood vessel occurring in or around the brain. Strokes can occur in young people as well as well as the elderly.

Signs and Symptoms may include:

• Confusion
• Severe headache
• Facial weakness with difficulty in swallowing.
• Unequal pupils may be possible.
• Casualty may be unconscious.
• Loss of movement, feeling or control of one side of the body.
• Slurred or garbled speech
• Epileptic seizures may occur.
• Pulse may be strong.

If you suspect someone may be having a stroke, do this simple test:

S – Smile. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the mouth droop?

T – Talk. Talk to the person. Is their speech slurred?

A – Ask them easy questions. i.e. What is the date? Where are you?

R – Raise. Ask the person to raise their arms. Is one arm lower that the other?

Treatment:

• Follow the Basic First Aid Plan to assess the casualty.
• Call for an Ambulance.
• Make the casualty comfortable.
• If unconscious, place the casualty in the lateral position, with the affected side down to allow any saliva to drain from the mouth.
• If conscious, lean the casualty towards the affected side.
• Raise the head and shoulders slightly.
• The casualty will benefit from oxygen therapy.
• Reassure the casualty. Do not panic.
• As you move the casualty, watch how you handle the affected limbs as they can be dislocated or the muscles damaged.