Signs of Stroke
The American Stroke Association advises everyone to recognize these signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
F.A.S.T.
The acronym FAST is an easy way to remember signs of stroke and what to do if you think a stroke has occurred. (The most important is to immediately call 9-1-1 for emergency assistance.) FAST stands for:
- (F)ACE. Ask the person to smile. Check to see if one side of the face droops.
- (A)RMS. Ask the person to raise both arms. See if one arm drifts downward.
- (S)PEECH. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Check to see if words are slurred and if the sentence is repeated correctly.
- (T)IME. If a person shows any of these symptoms, time is essential. It is important to get to the hospital as quickly as possible. Call 9-1-1. Act FAST.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
The length of recovery time following a stroke depends on the severity of the stroke. Patients who have had a mild stroke may be able to improve in time on their own without formal rehabilitation therapy. For those who have had more severe strokes, rehabilitation programs include:
- Exercise training to improve strength, flexibility, and coordination
- Retraining muscles to reduce spasticity and regain function
- Speech therapy to regain lost speech and comprehension, and improve communication skills
- Swallowing training to learn how to safely eat and drink
- Occupational therapy to practice personal activities of daily living and regain independence
It is also very important for patients to make lifestyle changes (quitting smoking, following a heart-healthy diet) and take any necessary medications to prevent a second stroke.
