Singapore is on the move now to a happier and healthier life. With many programs on its way, leading a happy and healthy life is possible. But despite this, there are still illness lurking everywhere. For sure you are aware that stroke is one of them. Stroke is actually one of the leading causes of death in the world. With this scale, it is difficult to fight it.
It is crucial that you know things about stroke especially its warning signs. Stroke happens when the blood’s supply to the brain is compromised – either reduced or interrupted. Because of this, the brain won’t get enough nutrients or oxygen which causes the cells to regress or worse, die. There are three kinds of stroke – ischemic, haemorrhagic and Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA).
There are different causes of stroke depending on the kind. For ischemic stroke, which is the most common kind, is caused by narrowing or blockages of the arteries leading to the brain. Haemorrhagic stroke is caused by bursting of blood in the brain’s arteries. TIA is less serious than previous kinds but it is still a medical emergency since it can be a sign for future strokes. TIA is caused by a blockage of the artery but is temporary.
Now that you know the stroke and its different kinds, the next thing that you should know is to know the warning signs and remember it. It is a possible stroke if:
- Face: When you observe that the person’s face droops on one side.
- Arms: If the face does not droop, you should check the arms. Try to raise both arms. Ideally it should be equal but if you notice the one arm is lower than the other, it can be a sign of stroke.
- Speech: This is another sign that can indicate a person is suffering from stroke. If you notice that the speech is slurred or strange, you should be alarmed.
- Time: Stroke is a serious one regardless of the kind so as soon as you notice the signs, you have to call an ambulance or emergency responders right away. Every minute counts.
To help you remember these signs easy, try to think of it as FAST. But there are also other signs that you have to consider like numbness or weakness on one side of his/her body, blurring or vision, severe headache and unexplained dizziness or unsteadiness.
Your risk of developing stroke increases as you grow old. It is therefore critical that you live a healthy lifestyle now. Do not delay it.
