First aid for stroke begins in the first few minutes after the disease. This will help to avoid the development of irreversible processes in the brain and prevent death. It is known that the next three hours after a stroke are the decisive period of time and are called the therapeutic window. If the pre-medical care for stroke was correctly and within these 3 hours, then there is hope for a favorable outcome of the disease and a normal subsequent recovery of the body's functions.
Types of strokes:
- Ischemic stroke is a cerebral infarction. It accounts for more than 75% of all cases.
- Hemorrhagic stroke - cerebral hemorrhage.
Stroke - symptoms and first aid
Signs of hemorrhagic stroke:
- A sharp severe headache.
- Hearing loss.
- Vomiting.
- Paralysis of the extremities.
- Distorted facial expressions.
- Intensified salivation.
Symptoms of ischemic stroke:
- Gradual numbness of the limbs.
- Weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the trunk.
- Violations of speech.
- Numbness of face.
- Headache.
- Dizziness.
- Loss of coordination.
- Deterioration of vision.
- Convulsions.
First of all, urgent medical care should be called for in case of stroke or when there are obvious symptoms. It is necessary to pay attention, that at a call it is necessary to describe in detail signs of disease and a status of the patient.
Emergency help with stroke
After the call of the neurological team, it is necessary to provide first aid to the victim of the stroke.
Hemorrhagic stroke - first aid:
- Lay the patient on the bed or on the floor so that the shoulders and head are slightly raised (about 30% of the surface). It is important not to move the victim too much and not let him go home if the stroke occurred on the street;
- remove or unfasten all crushing garments (collar, tie, belt);
- if there are prostheses in the mouth, they must be removed;
- provide fresh air;
- the head of the victim should be slightly tilted to the side;
- when vomiting, thoroughly clean the mouth with the help of gauze or other natural tissue;
- to attach to the head something cold (a bottle of water or a frozen product). The compress is applied to the side of the head that is opposite to the numb or paralyzed limbs;
- maintain blood circulation in hands and feet (cover with a blanket, put a heating pad or yellow card);
- To monitor salivation, in time to clean the oral cavity of excess saliva;
- when paralysis, rub limbs with any oil-alcohol mixture (you need to mix 2 parts of vegetable oil and 1 part of alcohol).
The first first aid for ischemic stroke:
- to put the patient in the same way as with hemorrhagic stroke - with raised head and shoulders;
- Ensure the peace and absence of movement;
- support the victim in consciousness with the help of cotton wool,
soaked in ammonia or wine vinegar; - follow the normal breathing, do not allow the tongue to fall;
- Do not allow the patient to drink any medications, exceptions may be glycine and piracetam (they do not have side effects);
- Spray cold face and neck with cold water once every half hour;
- rub limbs and trunk with hands or a soft brush;
- at elevated pressure, it is necessary to warm the patient's legs or place them in hot water.