Positioned just above the spinal cord, the brain stem controls vital functions of the body such as the heartbeat, blood pressure as well as the breathing. The human body is dependent on the brain stem for its survival. Any problems in the brain stem can instantly cause several long term as well as short term problems in the body, even leading to life threatening situations in some cases. A stroke is one of the most severe and serious conditions affecting the brain stem. Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in India as 1.8 million suffer from stroke every year.
What is a brain stroke?
A stroke is a condition that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is blocked or stopped in some way.
The effect of the stroke on the body is determined by the part of the brain affected by the stroke.
Signs and symptoms of stroke
The signs and symptoms of a brain stroke may be subtle or severe, depending upon the severity of the stroke. Before you help the person suffering from a stroke, it is important for you to know the symptoms of a stroke to look out for. These brain stroke symptoms which can be abbreviated as FAST, include the following:
- Face: Is the face drooping to one side? Has the face gone numb?
- Arms: Is one arm weaker than the other? Is one arm numb? On raising both arms, does one stay lower than the other?
- Speech: Is the speech garbled or slurred?
- Time: If the answer to any of the above questions is a yes, it is vital to call emergency services as quickly as possible.
Other mild stroke symptoms include the following:
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Loss of balance
- Nausea
- Blurred vision, loss of vision or dim vision, especially in one eye
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Weakness, tingling or numbness on one side of the body
- Persistent Headache
Steps to be taken when someone gets a brain stroke
If you know the early signs of a stroke, you could help save the life of someone you know or love. A brain stroke may be followed by a loss of balance or a loss of consciousness, resulting in a fall. In case someone around you is having a stroke, follow these steps until an ambulance arrives:
- Time is of the essence when someone is having a stroke. Seek professional medical help as soon as possible. Call the hospital emergency number and have medical services reach you immediately. In case you are the individual having a stroke, have someone nearby call for help.
- It is important to remember to be as calm as possible until emergency medical help arrives.
- If you are caring for someone around you having a stroke, make sure that the person is in a safe and comfortable position. This should preferably be a position in which the affected individual must be turned on their side, with their head raised slightly, in case they vomit.
- Check to see if the affected individual is breathing. If not, perform CPR on the person immediately.
- In case the affected individual is having difficulty in breathing, loosen any constrictive clothing that the person may be wearing, including scarves, ties etc.
- If the person having a brain stem stroke is conscious, talk to them in a calm and reassuring manner and inform them that help is on the way.
- Cover the person suffering from a stroke with a warm blanket.
- Íf the affected individual shows weakness in moving a particular limb, avoid moving the limb as far as possible.
- Do not give the affected individual anything to eat or drink.
- Continually observe the affected individual for any change and/or deterioration in their condition. Be well prepared to inform the ambulance services about the person’s stroke symptoms and when these symptoms commenced.
- Take their medications to the hospital to make sure that the doctor knows what the person usually takes.
- It is important for you to inform the emergency personnel if the person suffering from the stroke fell or hit their head.