In old age, it is not uncommon for people to suffer a stroke. But what do you do if you suddenly find yourself in the middle of such a situation? How do you proceed? Don’t panic, in the following article you will learn everything important about the topic.
What to do in case of a stroke?
You are at a family party or on the street and suddenly it happens. A person is not feeling well and behaves strangely. Various symptoms can indicate a stroke. But how can you really be sure that the person is having a stroke?
With the FAST test, you can determine fairly quickly and reliably whether a person is affected by a stroke. FAST comes from the English and means Face, Arms, Speech and Time. These four factors are crucial for diagnosing a stroke. In fact, the FAST test can help if you are not familiar with the symptoms of a stroke. Or if you are not quite sure about the situation.
What is the procedure for a FAST test?
Follow these instructions to perform the FAST test in the best possible way.
- Face: The first step is for the person to try to smile. If the person is unable to do so or if one corner of the mouth hangs down, it clearly indicates hemiplegia.
- Arms: To be sure, the person should take the arms forward. When doing so, the person should point the palms upwards. If the arms cannot be held up, this also indicates paralysis.
- Speech: In the next step, ask the person to speak a simple sentence or try to speak. If the person concerned is unable to do this or has problems with it, you can assume that he or she has a speech disorder.
- Time: In the end, every second counts! Do not waste another second and call for first aid immediately. Also, do not hesitate to dial the emergency number.
Note: With our TarisApp you can request first aid nearby in any emergency situation. You can request help for a stroke as well as for all other emergencies. Learn more about our app right here.
How can I help others with a stroke?
If the situation arises that someone suffers a stroke and you have diagnosed it with the help of the FAST test. First and foremost, you should remain calm. It is important not to worry the person concerned. Then immediately dial the emergency number and describe the situation.
In the event of a stroke, the patient must be taken to hospital as quickly as possible. The first minutes or even hours decide on the further course of the disease and the later consequences. Now you should try to take first aid measures. If this is not possible for you in an emergency or if you are not informed enough, you can request help with our app, for example.
To administer first aid in the event of a stroke, follow these instructions:
- Reassure the person concerned and do not leave them alone.
- If the person is wearing tight clothing, loosen it.
- Write down which symptoms occur and at what time. This can be important for the arriving emergency doctor.
- In case of unconsciousness, place the person in the recovery position.
- Remove possible objects from the mouth, such as dentures. The stable side position should help the person to breathe better.
- Never straighten up the upper part of the body if you are unconscious. This is only done with people who are conscious.
- Then feel the pulse of the victim and pay attention to the breathing. If there is a respiratory or cardiac arrest, immediately initiate resuscitation measures.
- Wait for the arrival of the emergency doctor and ask other people for help if necessary!
Stroke and its symptoms
In order to be able to detect a stroke at all, you have to know the corresponding symptoms.
The most common symptoms include:
- Paralysis of the face
- Paralysis in arms and legs
- Stiff neck
- Language problems
- Limitations of the ability to see
- Closed eyelid on one side
- Headache
- Nausea
- A drooping corner of the mouth
What is the chance of survival in the event of a stroke?
On average, the therapy-free interval in an emergency is about 9 minutes and 30 seconds. In other words, it takes almost 10 minutes until the necessary medical help arrives at the affected person. Only then can the really important treatment measures be taken. Until then, the patient is exposed to enormous risk. Depending on the duration and severity, the consequences can be severe. With every minute that passes without professional help, the chance of surviving a stroke decrease.
Stroke treatment
Once the patient has survived the stroke, the question is which therapy to follow? The therapy varies from patient to patient, as many different factors are decisive. The patient is either treated as an inpatient, for example in the form of rehabilitation, or as an outpatient.
The attending physician will inform the stroke patient or their relatives about the further procedure. You cannot do without therapy after a stroke. It is very important for further treatment.
Treatment after a stroke is not uncommon these days. There are many cases every year and medicine is now very advanced. Although one has to reckon with limitations as consequences, life after a stroke is still possible.
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