It is a fast-paced and ever-evolving world in emergency medicine for medical professionals and a lot of knowledge on diseases is required and strokes are no exception. Paramedics, Nurses, and other medical professionals need a thorough understanding of the pathophysiology, signs and symptoms and the latest treatment options of a stroke. Strokes are life-threatening and every minute counts to preserve brain tissue and optimize patient outcomes. This article will focus to deliver an in-depth understanding of strokes for medical professionals.
Pathophysiology
There are many types of strokes, the main two types of strokes are ischemic stroke and haemorrhage stroke. An ischemic stroke makes up approximately 87% of all strokes and occurs when a sudden reduction in blood flow to the brain occurs. A reduction of blood flow can be a result of a few things, the most common being thrombosis or embolism (clot), or it may be a result of atherosclerosis, the development of plaque in the arteries, plaque is a form of fatty deposits, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances on the inner walls of blood vessels, narrowing and restricting blood flow to the brain, resulting in a stroke. A haemorrhage stroke makes up the other 13%, these strokes occur when a blood vessel that supplies the brain, ruptures resulting in bleeding, the most common cause of this bleeding is continuous hypertension weakening the vessel supplying blood to the brain, resulting in rupture of the vessel.
Signs and Symptoms
When a patient is having a stroke, the following may be the presenting symptoms:
- Weakness, numbness or paralysis of the face, arm, or leg on either or both sides of the body
- Difficulty speaking
- Dizziness and loss of balance
- Blurry or sudden loss of vision
- Severe and abrupt onset of headache
- Difficulty swallowing
A tool widely used to diagnose the common signs of stroke is the F.A.S.T. acronym.
F- face drooped.
A-Arms can be raised.
S- Speech slurred or confused.
T- Time is critical.
Treatment
Time is critical when a patient is experiencing a stroke, for that reason, as soon as a stroke has been identified through vital signs, the level of consciousness, neurological status and identification of stroke signs and symptoms. From there it is essential to manage the ABCs (airway, breathing and circulation), and administer intravenous (IV) access for rapid medication management. Additionally, the appropriate stroke scale, such as the ranking stroke scale is sued to quantify the impairment caused by the stroke. The hospital should be notified beforehand to prepare for the patient, to assist in giving the best optimal outcome. Overall, it is vital to provide supportive care and reassurance to the patient, as well as continuously monitor vitals.
A stroke is a vital neurological condition that can prove fatal if not identified early, it is important to prepare and study definitions and protocols regarding this condition. As medical professionals, fewer diseases require more attention and a piece of broader knowledge than a stroke, a very common condition in the medical emergency field, identifying, transporting and treating these diseases must know to better patient outcomes and prevent permanent brain damage.
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