(443) 745-6115Strokes are serious business and they claim the lives of thousands of Americans every year. They may not be something you like to think about but we think it’s so important to educate people on the dangers of strokes, stroke symptoms, and what to do about them.
As a Columbia, MD senior care provider we’ve unfortunately had a lot of experience with strokes, but fortunately, our staff possesses vital medical training and knowledge. We wanted to take some time today to talk about strokes and how they can affect you.
What Exactly is a Stroke?
A stroke, sometimes called a “brain attack”, is an extremely serious medical affliction. Usually, strokes happen when blood flow to the brain is blocked by a clot. Any brain cells in the immediate area start to die because they can’t get the oxygen and nutrients they need, resulting in a stroke.
There are two kinds of strokes, ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes are caused by blood clots that plug blood vessels in the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes happen when a blood vessel breaks and bleeds into the brain. Both are dangerous.
What Disabilities Can a Stroke Cause?
Stroke damage to the brain can cause serious and long-lasting damage. You could be left paralyzed and could have a litany of mental issues to deal with including problems thinking, problems speaking, and emotional problems. For this reason, it’s important that you seek immediate care. You need to be on the lookout for any early signs of a stroke, here are some symptoms you’ll want to be on the lookout for:
- Sudden and severe headaches with no known causes.
- Sudden dizziness or trouble walking.
- Sudden blindness or difficulty seeing.
- Sudden numbness or weakness in your face, arms, or legs (particularly if it’s only one side of the body).
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech.
What Should You Do in the Event of a Stroke?
It’s vital to know the signs of a stroke in others as well. As with any emergency situation, no matter how bad things are you need to try to remain calm and avoid panic. Nothing can cause more problems during an emergency than a panicked frenzy.
The most important thing you can do is call emergency medical services. Even if you’re not completely certain a stroke is occurring, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Don’t wait for the symptoms to get worse, because by then it could be too late.
The Threat of Stroke is High and it Increases as We Age, Take it From a Columbia, MD Senior Care Provider
The older we get the higher our chances of stroke becomes. Almost three-quarters of all strokes occur in people 65 and older. Here at Kenwood Care, we’ve provided senior care in Columbia, MD for years, and all of our staff members are trained to know what to do during a medical emergency. Don’t let your loved ones live with the risk of a stroke. Give us a call today and see what Kenwood can do for you and your loved ones.
