The South African Government has issued a statement to bring awareness to the symptoms and importance of taking treatment for recovery when suffering from a stroke.
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) a stroke can occur when the blood supply to the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel to the brain bursts. They cause brain tissue to die and can lead to brain damage, disability or even death. Acting fast when identifying any signs of a stroke can make all the difference.
The CDC suggests that the easiest way to remember the signs and symptoms of a stroke is with the acronym F.A.S.T.
F = Face dropping. Check to see if the persons face is drooping on one side
A = Arm weakness. Check to see if the persons arm is weak by asking them to lift both arms
S = Speech difficulty. Check to see if the person has trouble with their speech by asking them to repeat something and check if they slurred their words
T = Time to call. If the person experiences any of these symptoms then you should call an ambulance for help
The South African Government advises that the negative impacts of suffering from a stroke can be minimised when adhering to rehabilitation programs and treatment. In addition, they have advised that many strokes can be prevented by adapting to a lifestyle change.
The CDC recommends theses preventative measures:
- A healthy diet with vegetables and fruit. Reducing your sugar and sodium intake
- Maintaining a healthy weight and staying active on a day to day basis
- Limit alcohol use and avoid smoking cigarettes
- Prevent or manage any other medical conditions that you may have such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol
