Stroke Information
- Stroke is an emergency, which is actually a "Brain Attack," the cutting of vital blood flow and oxygen to the brain.
- In the United States, stoke is the fourth leading cause of death, killing over 133,000 people each year.
- About 795,000 strokes occur each year, or one occurring every 40 seconds and taking a life every four minutes.
- Two million brain cells die every minute during a stoke, increasing risk of permanent brain damage, disability or death.
- Time lost is brain lost.
STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY.
Act FAST and call 9-1-1
| F |
FACE |
Facial Droop - Ask the person to smile.
Does one side of the face droop? |
| A |
ARMS |
Arm Drift - Ask the person to raise both arms, close their eyes and hold for 30 seconds.
Does one arm drift down? |
| S |
SPEECH |
Speech - Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.
Does this speech sound slurred or strange? |
| T |
TIME |
Time of Onset - When was the last time the person was observed normal?
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If you observe any of these signs (independently or together) Call 9-1-1 immediately.
Concussion Information
Definition:
A concussion is a minor traumatic brain injury that may occur when the head hits an object or a moving object strikes the head. It can affect the how the brain works for a while. A concussion can lead to a bad headache, changes in alertness, or loss of consciousness.
Causes, Signs & Symptoms
A big movement of the brain (called jarring) in any direction that can cause a person to lose alertness (become unconscious). A concussion can result from a fall, sporting activities, car accidents or an assult.
Although a good sign, a concussions does not always result in a loss of consciousness. Most people who have a concussion never pass out. But they may describe seeing all white, black, or stars. A person can also have a concussion and not realize it.
Additional sings and symptoms of a concussion range from mild to severe. They can include:
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Acting confused, feeling spacey, or not thinking straight
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Headache
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Loss of consciousness
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Memory loss (amnesia) of events before the injury or right after
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Nausea and vomiting
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Seeing flashing lights
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Feeling like you have "lost time"
The following are emergency symptoms of a concussion:
(Seek medical attention immediately if experiencing any of the following)
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Changes in alertness and consciousness
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Confusion that does not go away
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Convulsions (seizures)
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Muscle weakness on one or both sides
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Persistent confusion
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Pupils of the eyes that are not equal in size
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Remaining unconsciousness (coma)
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Repeated Vomiting
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Unequal pupils
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Unusual eye movements
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Walking or balance problems
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Unconsciousness (coma) that continues
Head injuries that cause a concussion often occur with injury to the neck and spine. Take special care when moving people who have had a head injury.
While recovering from a concussion, the person may:
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Be withdrawn, easily upset, or confused
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Have a hard time with tasks that require remembering or concentrating
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Have mild headaches
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Be less tolerant of noise
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Be very tired
Test and Treatments
Call your health care provider if a head injury causes changes in alertness or produces any other worrisome symptoms or if any symptoms do not go away or are not improving after 2 or 3 weeks. A more serious head injury that involves bleeding or brain damage must be treated in a hospital.
The doctor will perform a physical exam. The person's nervous system will be checked. Tests that the doctor may order include:
For a mild head injury no treatment may be needed. But be aware that the symptoms of a head injury can show up later.
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Friends or family may need to keep an eye on adults for symptoms after they are released from the emergency room or doctor's office.
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Parents or caregivers of children need to keep an eye on a child for symptoms after a head injury.
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Both adults and children must follow the health care provider's instructions about when a person can return to sports.
After a mild concussion:
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DO NOT DO activities that can cause further head injury.
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Avoid tasks that require concentration or complicated thinking. These include reading, homework, and preparing reports.
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Avoid bright lights and loud sounds. These can overstimulate the brain.
**all information provided by National Institute of Health website**
Health Links
- American Heart Association http://www.heart.org
- American Stoke Association http://www.strokeassociation.org
- Mercy One Medical Center, Dubuque http://www.mercydubuque.com
- Unity Point Health-Finley http://www.unitypoint.org/dubuque
- Jackson County Regioal Health Center http://www.jcrhc.org
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