Strokes are one of the leading cause of death in the world and can cause many severe, lifelong disabilities. Knowing the warning signs of a stroke and when to call an emergency GP service in Costa del Sol is essential to minimising the consequences of a stroke.
You're more at risk of a stroke if you're aged 55 and over, as the risk increases as you get older.
Your race, gender, and if you've been diagnosed with diabetes or heart disease can also have an impact on your risk.
Getting treatment fast is crucial if you or someone you're with is having a stroke. Every second counts because each moment without oxygen damages your brain. So it's crucial that you're able to detect the early signs of a stroke so you can get to the hospital as soon as the symptoms appear.
What Causes a Stroke?
Strokes happen when one of the blood vessels that brings oxygen to the brain becomes blocked (known as an ischemic attack) or bursts open (a hemorrhagic stroke). The lack of oxygen this causes kills the brain cells that this particular blood vessel serves. The part of the body that these brain cells control will also stop working.
If the blood flow is only blocked for a short time, it's called a transient ischemic attack (or TIA). These are like mini or warning strokes, and they tend to happen before a major stroke. The symptoms are similar to those of a major stroke but are less severe and only last for a few minutes.
Knowing the signs of a stroke can help you get treatment fast and maybe even avoid a major stroke event in the case of TIAs.
Identifying the Early Signs of Stroke
Recognising the early signs of a stroke is very important to ensure a good recovery and minimise the damage. Thankfully, they're relatively easy to learn and spot.
Act FAST.
FAST is an acronym to help you remember the early signs of a stroke.
Face Drooping
One side of the face droops or feels numb. When asked to smile, the person's smile looks uneven.
Arm Weakness
One arm will feel weak or numb, and the individual won't be able to lift their arms above their head. One arm may also start to drift downward.
Speech Difficulty
The person will have trouble speaking. Their speech will sound slurred and be challenging to understand. When asked to repeat a simple sentence, the person will have difficulty doing so correctly.
Time to Call Our Emergency GP service in Costa del Sol
If a person displays any of the symptoms listed above, you need to call our emergency GP service in Costa del Sol. Even if the symptoms go away, you should still make sure you call our emergency GP service in Costa del Sol so that we can take a look at the situation and take the individual to a hospital if necessary.`
If you would like more information about our emergency GP service in Costa del Col, get in touch with us today.