Stroke Awareness Month

According to the Stroke Association, every day in the UK, 240 people have their lives affected by stroke. This is not limited to any particular age group. Children as young as 8 years old experience a stroke. The month of May is annually observed as Stroke Awareness Month raising awareness of the impact of stroke.

What is stroke?

A stroke is described as a medical emergency, also known as ‘brain attack’. It is a serious medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or severely reduced. Getting fast medical help quickly can reduce crucial brain damage. If you spot the signs of stroke, call 999.

Stroke symptoms awareness

There are some most common signs of stroke and the way to recognise them is the well known FAST method (Face, Arms, Speech, Time). Having awareness of these symptoms can save someone’s life.

1. Balance – is the person feeling dizzy or unsteady, did this come on suddenly?
2. Eyes – has the person’s vision suddenly decreased, did they start having vision problems suddenly?
3. Face – face weakness – can the person smile, has their mouth or eye dropped?
4. Arms – arm weakness – can the person raise both arms and keep them raised?
5. Speech – is the person speaking clearly and understand what you say or is their speech slurred?
6. Time – time is the essence – if you see any of these signs, call 999 immediately

Photo by Cleveland Clinic

Further signs and symptoms include:

• One side of the body suddenly feels weak or numb (this can include an arm, leg, hand, or foot).
• Trouble finding the right words or speaking clearly all of a sudden.
• Sudden blurry vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes.
• Unexpected memory loss or feeling confused.
• Sudden dizziness, loss of balance, or a sudden fall.
• A severe headache that comes on suddenly.

Risk awareness

Our arteries become harder and narrower as we age, moreover, specific health problems and lifestyle choices can speed up this damage and increase stroke risk. These are high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, your age, lifestyle factors, ethnicity, family history, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, cigarette smoking or second hand smoke exposure. Despite many people thinking that strokes only happen to the older adults, this is not always the case, stroke can happen to anyone.  In fact, one in fur strokes in the UK happens to people of working age.

Stroke can be often prevented. Knowing your personal stroke risk factors and follow the advice of your healthcare professional about healthy lifestyle strategies are key steps.

Treatment and recover

Your body will require time to heal and recover if you experience a stroke. Rehabilitation and therapy make a good recovery possible and help re-learn everyday life skills. Stroke recovery is a highly individual process with no predictable pattern. Although the most significant gains often happen in the initial days and weeks, improvement can continue for months and years. Survivors often highlight the considerable effort and resolve needed for ongoing rehabilitation, which, despite being physically and mentally demanding, frequently results in vital progress in speech, mobility, and other key abilities. The support of family and friends can be helpful for consistent practice. Therapists work with individuals to set attainable goals, encouraging progress tracking and celebrating successes. Initially, the capacity for rehabilitation may be limited, but it can increase as strength improves.

How can Cavendish Homecare help?

Supporting someone after a stroke can be challenging, yet very commendable. At Cavendish Homecare, we understand the complexities and individual needs of each stroke survivor and our highly experienced carers and nurses provide their expertise gained while working with stroke survivors as well as compassion and emotional support.

Cavendish Homecare provides flexible, comprehensive and responsive support to help you maintain the highest quality of after stroke nursing homecare. To learn more about our care services and how we can assist with your needs, please reach out to our team, we are here to discuss further and address any questions or concerns you may have.