Stroke: Your Essential Guide

What is a stroke?

A stroke is a life-threatening condition that can have a life altering impact on your life. There is a misconception that only older people can suffer from a stroke. However, it can happen to anyone at any time.

Whether you or someone you know has suffered a stroke, understanding it can help improve your life moving forward. This guide will provide you with some essential and practical information whether you are seeking to educate yourself, support your loved one, or navigate the complexities of a stroke, prevention and recovery.

What causes a stroke?

A stroke is a medical emergency that requires urgent treatment. It occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked (also known as an ischemic stroke) or when there is sudden bleeding to the brain (also known as a haemorrhagic stroke).

Different types of strokes

The most common type is called an ischemic stroke. This is when blood flow to the brain is blocked by a piece of plaque or blood clot. If the block is in the brain, this is called a thrombosis. If the clot then travels to anywhere else in the body, this is called an embolism.

A transient ischaemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini stroke can also occur when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted temporarily. It can last up to 24 hours and should still be treated urgently. TIAs are usually warning signs that you are at risk of a full stroke in the future.

A haemorrhagic stroke is less common and occurs when there is bleeding around or in the brain. This means that a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain bursts and bleeds, causing a lack of oxygen and nutrients.

Signs and symptoms of a stroke

To quickly identify if someone is having a stroke, the F.A.S.T. acronym is used.

F: Face weakness. Has their eyes or mouth dropped? Can the person smile?

A: Arm weakness. Can they raise both arms?

S: Speech impediments. Can you understand what the person is saying? Are they speaking clearly or is their speech slurred?

T: Time to call 999. If any of the above signs are visible, call for emergency help immediately.

Responding as quick as possible will give the person the greatest chance of survival and recovery.

There are also other symptoms of a stroke that should be taken seriously. These are sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, sudden memory loss or confusion, difficulty in speaking or finding the right words, sudden blurred vision or loss of sight and a sudden, severe headache.

Similar to acting F.A.S.T., if you see any of the above signs and symptoms, call 999 immediately.

Effects of a stroke

The effects of a stroke will depend on which part of your brain was affected. Physical changes can include difficulty holding things or gripping, incontinence, swallowing issues, paralysis or weakness to one side of the body.

It is also common to have changes in your emotional wellbeing and personality. Depression is common in the first year of recovery after a stroke, especially for people who have trouble finding their words, understanding and communicating. Your anxiety can also be heightened. Besides that, behavioural and personality changes are common such as aggressiveness, irritability, and impulsiveness.

A stroke can affect your cognitive skills such as your memory and thinking. This will include the ability to concentrate and focus, problem solve, your orientation. Your perception, meaning the way you feel, hear and see the world can be affected. Some of these changes are the way you judge a distance and the different way you feel contact, pain and temperature on the side of the body that has been affected by the stroke. For some, a stroke can affect the way you communicate, speak and read.

Management of complications

After a stroke, preventing complications will be a key part of your recovery due to the injury to your brain. Swelling of the brain, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, pressure ulcers and clinical depressions are just some of the complications that can affect recovery.

If you or the person you are caring for experience any additional problems such as the above, it is important to let the healthcare team know so that they can be aware of them as well as work towards managing these complications with different treatments.

Managing risks and preventing another stroke

The risk of having another stroke is higher if you have already had a TIA or any other stroke. Despite this, it is possible to reduce the risk of another stroke by taking the medication you have been prescribed and make the necessary lifestyle changes.

Being active: moving more as it can boost your recovery, wellbeing and confidence. It will keep the heart healthy, lower blood pressure and slows the clogging of your arteries

Drinking alcohol responsibly: drinking over the recommended limit can increase your risk of another stroke or disrupt recovery. It is important to get personalised advice on drinking and more importantly sticking to the advice given.

Stop smoking: giving up smoking is one of the best things you can do to help you stay healthy and reduce the risk of another stroke. This will include e-cigarettes, vapes or any other products that contain tobacco products. Stopping is not easy but there are many resources that are available.

A healthy diet: adopting a healthy diet such as having at least 5 portions of fruits and vegetables daily, limiting salt intake and increasing dietary fibre and healthy fats.

Staying at a healthy weight: being overweight will increase the risk of having a stroke and other conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Following a healthy diet and lifestyle as well as keeping active are among the best ways to lose weight.

Rehabilitation for physical changes after a stroke and what to expect

After a stroke, some people will experience a change physically such as muscle weakness, fatigue, swallowing issues, bladder and bowel problems, pain and seizures. The healthcare team will support you or your loved one make the best possible recovery. Every stroke and recovery process are different, but rehabilitation will start when in the hospital and carry on for as long as it is required after discharge.

When it’s time for professional help?

There are different kinds of support you can get based on your needs and challenges you are facing. The first step is to always talk to your medical team and doctor as they may be able to help you make the appropriate referrals. Help after stroke can include but not limited to physiotherapists, rehabilitation nurses, psychologists, speech pathologists and social workers.

How can Cavendish Homecare help?

Whether you are recovering or supporting someone after a stroke, your daily life will be different, can be challenging, yet very commendable if you are caring for someone. 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.