5 ways to easily recognize stroke warning signs
MANILA, Philippines - Unfortunately, not everyone is familiar of the signs that indicate stroke.
According to the latest WHO data published in 2014, stroke deaths in Philippines reached 63,261 or 12.14% of total deaths. Stoke, which is currently named as the 2nd cause of death of many Filipinos, is also called "brain attack" since it is caused by the interruption of the blood supply to the brain. Usually, a blood vessel bursts or is blocked by a clot.
Because it targets the brain, the person having stroke usually does not recognize it. In lieu with this, Dr. Willie Ong, a cardiologist and internist and The Philippine Star columnist shares on his blog tips on how to recognize a person having a stroke:
Here is a short code to recognize a stroke. Let’s use the code word “STRAW.”
S – Smile
Ask the person to smile. If one side of the face lags behind or looks crooked, then that is a telltale sign of a stroke. This is because a stroke can affect the nerve controlling the muscles of the face.
T – Talk a few words
Then stick out your tongue. In a stroke, the person cannot speak coherently and may slur his words. And when he puts out the tongue, the tongue may point slightly to one side of the face. However, in mild cases, there could only be a difficulty in pronouncing the words.
R – Raise your arms
In a stroke, the patient may lose the strength of one side of his arms or legs. There could also be numbness of the limbs. And when you ask the person to raise both hands, one arm could be lagging behind. Another technique is to ask the person to grip your hand tightly. If one hand is weaker, then this is another sign of a stroke.
A - Ask questions pertaining to H-E-N
Does the person have a headache, eye problems or numbness of the hands or legs? In the “ischemic type” of stroke, the patient may not complain of a headache. Eye problems, such as blurring of vision and trouble seeing peripheral objects, may also be a sign of a stroke. And a commonly missed finding is numbness of the arms or legs. Touch the person’s arms and legs lightly. Then ask the person if he has the same feeling for both sides of the arms or legs. If there is some loss of sensation on one side, then it could be a stroke.
W – Walk in straight line
Lastly, ask the patient to walk in a straight line. Because a stroke can affect the strength and balance of one’s legs, the patient can have difficulty walking. Can he stand straight or does he fall on one side? Is there something wrong with his stride?
If any of the above findings are present, then a CT-Scan or MRI Scan may be requested to find out if the person has had a stroke. Consult your doctor immediately.
