Our brains communicate using brain cells. A stroke causes brain cells to die due to blood clot and bleeding. This can cause paralysis and other dysfunction in the brain by damaging the brain cells. Oftentimes the paralysis occurs on one side of the body. The brain can recover and the brain cells can relearn how to communicate with other parts of the body. Physical therapy can help with recovery, but it takes time to readjust due to a stroke. The new routine can require a lot more time than it used to. Treatments can minimize damage if they arrive on time. So time matters. Call 911 when you think you have had a stroke.
The risk factors for stroke are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and heart disease. These conditions are common as you get older. Younger people can also be at risk for having a stroke causing physical, mental, and emotional changes. Here are the signs of a stroke, facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulties. This is the time to call 911. An easy way to remember these symptoms is by the acronym F.A.S.T. that stands for the symptoms that indicate a stroke. F stands for facial drooping, A stands for arm weakness, S stands for speech difficulties, and T stands for time to call 911.
So how often does a stroke happen in America? In the United States, about 795,000 people suffer a stroke each year that is a stroke every 40 seconds. Also every 4 minutes someone dies of a stroke. Every year 140,000 people die from strokes and 40% of those are males. (“Stroke Facts & Statistics - Stroke Awareness Foundation”) In conclusion act fast if someone you know is experiencing F.A.S.T. and prevent permanent brain damage. If you require non medical assistance please reach out to Champion Care for a caregiver that is willing to help with your ADLs or activities of daily living. Tasks like transportation, laundry, bathing, meal prep, and cooking can all be taken care of with one of our PCA certified caregivers. This can help with lessen the burden for your family and free up your day and schedule. Visit this link to view the care plan to get started. Completing the care plan form is the first step in coordinating your care. Someone will be in touch via telephone within a few hours of receiving the care plan form.
Works cited:
“Stroke Facts & Statistics - Stroke Awareness Foundation.” Stroke Awareness Foundation, Stroke Awareness Foundation, 27 June 2019, www.strokeinfo.org/stroke-facts-statistics/. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.