What Do I Need to Know About Stroke?
What is a Stroke?
A stroke, also known as a brain attack or a cerebrovascular accident, occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. Brain cells begin to die due to lack of oxygen and nutrients.
You can have different types of strokes – they can be ischemic (caused by a clot or plaque build up in the vessels) or they can be hemorrhagic (occurs when a blood vessel bursts in the brain).
You may also have heard of a “mini stroke” or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). When a person has a TIA or mini stroke they experience stroke like symptoms, but those symptoms completely resolve within 24 hours. Often times a TIA is a warning sign to let you know there is something wrong that needs to be taken care of as soon as possible.
How do you Know if You’re Having a Stroke?
If you are experiencing any or all of the symptoms below it is possible you are having a stroke:
- Weakness on one side/leaning to one side
- Facial drooping and/or drooling
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty walking
- Difficulty seeing
The American Stroke Association has come up with an easy way to remember the signs and symptoms of stroke you just need to remember to think FAST!
If you experience or see anyone experiencing these signs and symptoms you need to get help immediately!
Time = Brain
The longer you wait to seek appropriate medical attention the worse the outcome may become.
How is OakBendMedicalCenter involved in the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients?
When we receive a patient exhibiting signs and symptoms of a stroke we have specific protocols and pathways in place to ensure they receive the most appropriate and most efficient care. We do this by making sure we are following the most current clinical practice guidelines. Clinical practice guidelines are evidenced based best practices. Our stroke program is based on clinical practice guidelines published by the American Stroke Association. The clinical practice guidelines are updated regularly to make sure we are using only the best practices for our patients. Following these guidelines we have become a Joint Commission certified stroke center. We have also been recognized by the American Stroke Association for our outstanding stroke care.
What Do We Do for our Stroke Patients?
As soon as a patient arrives with signs and symptoms of a stroke they are taken to radiology for a CT scan. Here we are trying to determine what kind of stroke the patient is experiencing. If the patient has a hemorrhagic stroke or a bleed, the patient will need to be transferred to another facility for a higher level of care. If the patient does not have a bleed then they will continue through our stroke program to get the care they need.
While in the hospital the patient will receive tests and services from several different departments including radiology, lab, pharmacy, social work, rehab services, dietary services, as well as cardiopulmonary services. All of these services play an important role in helping the patient reach the best outcome possible.
How Can I Help the Stroke Patient During Their Stay?
Most of the time a stroke patient will have deficits such as difficulty seeing and difficulty moving one side of their body.
- Try to approach the patient on their stronger side.
- Try to make sure things like the call light, beside table, and phone are on the side that is mobile.
- Make sure the bed rails are up to prevent a fall
- Be aware of any swallowing precautions or restrictions a patient may have before offering them anything to eat or drink
Is there any way to prevent a stroke?
Yes, it is thought that 80% of strokes are preventable. While the patients are here they receive a stroke education booklet informing them of their risk factors and how to change them. All of the following are risk factors for stroke. If you have any of these risk factors you should work closely with your physician to make sure you keep them under control.
- High blood pressure or hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Atrial fibrillation
- Smoking