A stroke is a brain injury occurring when blood flow is interrupted to the brain. This causes brain tissue to be deprived of oxygen and vital nutrients. It occurs when the blood flow to the brain is severely reduced or interrupted affecting neurons which cannot duplicate or repair themselves. A stroke is a medical emergency which can be treated. By responding immediately and receiving medical assistance an individual can significantly improve survival and recovery rate.
If the language center of the brain is damaged an individual may have difficulty expressing their thoughts, understanding, pronouncing, reading and writing.
5 Signs of Stroke
Being able to recognize stroke symptoms quickly can change the length of recovery time.
If you experience any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately.
Research shows approximately 44% of Canadians are unable to identify any stroke symptoms. The acronym FAST is a tool which makes this easy to remember. Face – is it drooping? Arms – can you raise both? Speech – is it slurred or jumbled? Time – call 911 right away. Do not drive yourself or your loved ones to the hospital. Paramedics can get you there safely and quickly.
The major focus here is time. Time is brain. Time plays a key role in getting treatment and recovering from a stroke. On average, 2 million brains cells (neurons) are lost for every minute of delay in restoring blood flow to the brain. The effects of a stroke will be different for each person. A stroke can be mild, moderate or severe which is why FAST evaluation and treatment are needed. (heartandstroke.ca)
Strokes can be referred to as a “mini-stroke” (also known as a Transient Ischemic Attack – TIA), or a full-blown stroke (also known as a hemorrhagic stroke). The symptoms of a TIA and stroke are the same; however, TIA is caused by a small clot that blocks an artery only for a brief period of time. Even though there is no permanent damage from a TIA, it is a serious warning that you are at a higher risk of having a stroke. TIA symptoms which go away within minutes or hours are much more common than hemorrhagic stroke. Research shows that up to 20% of pediatric stroke have no known cause (Heart and Stroke Foundation). Approximately 80% of strokes are ischemic (an interruption of blood flow to the brain due to a blood clot) but strokes can also be hemorrhagic (a rupture of blood vessels in the brain).
| Causes of ischemic stroke | Causes of hemorrhagic stroke |
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A stroke occurs when the heart stops or by an acquired brain injury (damage caused by events after birth). They can occur at any time from infancy to adulthood. It affects individuals differently depending on the location within the brain it takes place and the extent of damage it causes. Because the brain controls the whole body, a stroke can have a wide variety of effects. It can affect an individual’s sight, speech, memory, movement, reading, and writing. Physical effects usually occur on the opposite side of the body from where a stroke has occurred. A stroke survivor may experience:
✓ Weakness on one side of the body
✓ Paralysis on one side of the body
✓ One-sided neglect
✓ Difficulty with speech and language (aphasia)
✓ Trouble swallowing
✓ Vision problems (decreased field of vision or perception)
✓ Loss of emotional control and mood changes
✓ Problems with memory, judgment or problem-solving (cognitive changes)
✓ Behavioural or personality changes
They may experience one of the following speech and language problems:
Aphasia: occurs when the left hemisphere of the brain is damaged affecting expressive or receptive communication.
Dysarthria: occurs when the muscles used for speaking are weak, slow or have poor coordination.
Apraxia: also called dyspraxia, is a loss of muscle control and coordination affecting muscle movements required to speak.
Important Questions If Someone Experiences a Stroke
Here are some important questions you should ask if someone is experiencing a stroke:
1.) What type of stroke is it? A head scan (CT) needs to be done to see if the stroke is ischemic or hemorrhagic.
2.) When was the patient last seen normal? There is a 4 to 5-hour window to receiving a medication that works to break up the clot. This is not an option for a hemorrhagic stroke.
3.) What side of the brain is involved? This helps to understand the symptoms the patient is experiencing.
4.) What size is the damaged area of the brain? This helps to map out a plan of care while in hospital.
Approximately 80% of strokes are preventable according to the National Stroke Association. Certain risk factors have been identified that can increase a person’s risk for stroke; some are preventable and some, like genetics, are not. While you can’t change your age, gender, or ethnicity, you can reduce your risk of a major stroke with the following healthy lifestyle choices:
✓ Eating a healthy diet
✓ Maintaining a healthy weight
✓ Regulating blood pressure
✓ Preventing or managing diabetes
✓ Getting enough exercise
✓ Not smoking
✓ Limiting alcohol use
Supporting an individual who has survived a stroke involves assisting them in adjusting to their new life, personality, cognitive abilities, and behaviours. The individual may require support in communication, emotional liability, impulsivity, preservations and/or physical daily activities. The use of visual aids and strategies can support an individual improving functional independence and overall quality of life.
Join The Conversation
Are you supporting a client or loved one who is a stroke survivor? What is the greatest challenge you face? Leave me a comment here, and join the conversation on Facebook where I asked, “My greatest challenge about supporting a stroke survivor is_____________.”
Workshop Presentation - Visual Aids and Strategies
Contact Vizually Speaking today to learn how Visual Aids and Strategies can decrease the undesired behaviour(s), improve communication, promote independence and increase self-confidence. Through our dynamic presentation you will:
✓ Uncover the importance of using Visual Aids and Strategies.
✓ Discover the benefits of Visual Aids and Strategies.
✓ Learn how to overcome communication barriers.
✓ Promote independence and decrease undesired behaviours.
✓ Be introduced to NEW resources.
EVERYONE benefits from Visual Aids!
Caring for a loved one who has survived a stroke can be difficult. It requires understanding, patience, and compassion. Vizually Speaking understands the needs of a stroke survivor, their families, and caregivers providing a service designing, creating and training how to use individualized visual aids and strategies. For your FREE consultation contact us today.
