Strokes are more common in people than you know and they can happen at almost any time. In order to reduce the risk of a person experiencing a stroke we must understand signs to help us be aware. While we cannot fully prevent a stroke from happening, we can control one from surprising us without warning. Understanding signs of stroke can help you catch it much earlier. 

What Causes A Stroke

Different types of stroke are dependent on the part of the brain that is being affected. The two types of blood supply loss in the brain is ischemic and hemorrhagic. The loss of blood ultimately affects parts of your body to stop working which also tells you what kind of stroke a person is having.

The occurrence of an artery in the brain being blocked, preventing oxygen and blood to reach the brain is called ischemic stroke or referred to as clots. Blockage can be caused by cholesterol buildup otherwise known as plaque. Plaques are dangerous because if they rupture, that is what causes a clot to form and prevent blood from passing through to the brain. This is the most common type of stroke many experience.

Hemorrhagic strokes also referred to bleeds are caused by blood vessels leaking into the brain tissue which causes the brain cells to stop working. This type of stroke can be caused by having high blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause the wall of your artery to weaken over time which can cause strokes, aneurysms, and more types of damage.

Warning Signs of a Stroke

Being aware of common warning signs ensures that the person experiencing a strong has as little damage as possible. Upon noticing these signs, it is important to call 911 immediately. In some cases, strokes may not be as obvious and can pass within a small time frame, however, this is not a sign to ignore. This is when you seek help from a Las Vegas Neurologist for further diagnosis and guidance. Ignoring something like this can lead to a more permanent and damaging experience the next time it happens. 

Be sure to pay attention to:

• Blurred vision or impaired vision of some sort
• Confusion and trouble with speech
• Dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Numbing of the body – especially your face, arms or legs
• Constant headaches

How You Can Help

As we mentioned above, your prior knowledge and awareness of common warning signs of stroke can help someone when it is crucial. It is critical to be quick as someone experiences a stroke. Once you have a better understanding of what can cause a stroke and common symptoms of a stroke, you can then take better action in the event that it occurs.

• Call 911 immediately if you notice signs of stroke. In order to ensure they are in the best possible care regardless of the severity, you must not hesitate to seek help. If not, the condition can worsen. By doing so, you improve the person’s chances of recovery.
• Offer Support towards this person. Stoke experiences can be harmful but it is important to offer your support to the individual and be there as help is on the way. Sometimes, the body can’t control what is happening. You must be there there to ensure this individual’s safety.
• Stay as calm as possible. In the moment, we can be come frantic and often not know what to do. it’s important to remember to breathe and reassure the individual that help is on the way and that everything will be okay. This not only helps you but the individual to feel less stressed during the incident. 
• Always be prepared. It can be difficult to focus on other things while a stroke is occurring. Do your best to remember the details of the event so that you are able to relay the information to the experienced Las Vegas Neurologist. Be sure to take note of the symptoms you notices and the details of the setting, event before the stroke occurred. If you are closely related to the individual, be sure to know any current medications they may be taking. 

Prevention

Prevention is the best treatment for reducing your risk factors of stroke. Strokes are life threatening. Your awareness for what can cause it and prevent it can save your life. Preventive care means keeping a close eye on your cholesterol intake, diabetes and smoking. Keeping all three under control can help with preventing blood clots that lead to ischemic strokes. Blood pressure should be controlled with simple lifestyle changes including exercise, good weight and cutting back on a few foods high in sugar and carbohydrates. To learn more, contact Silver State Neurology and we can help you tackle all your questions and concerns.

Knowing the signs of stroke can help many people. you can make a difference by sharing this information with someone who knows very little when it comes to this experience. To ensure everyone’s best possible outcome with experiencing strokes, be prepared, share it with those around you and don’t be afraid to seek more information from your Neurology clinic in Las Vegas.