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.

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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.