If you notice any of these 3 symptoms, call an ambulance as soon as possible – every minute is worth its weight in gold

The wife reacted at the same time: the husband is worried about how many people are left alone

According to the Lithuanian Stroke Association, more than one million people in the European Union have suffered a stroke, of which 460 thousand have had a stroke. died from the disease and nearly 10 million people live with the serious consequences of a stroke. The number of people who have suffered a stroke in the next generation is expected to increase by 26 percent.

According to Algirdas, 62, who suffered a stroke six months ago, today he values ​​his health more than ever, and even more so, those close to him. Although the husband was fortunate not to face any significant residual phenomena after the stroke, he emphasizes that he can be grateful to the wife who was around at the time.

“Today we are fighting a pandemic, we are all tired. I share my experience not to intimidate another danger, but to remind you of the importance of being in contact with loved ones and not forgetting the elderly, whose health sometimes becomes fragile. Today I am healthy because my wife quickly realized everything that was passing by my face and responded in time to the stroke, asking for help. When it seems that the hand does not work and it is difficult to say what you are going to do there yourself “, says the man.

This experience has led him to believe that many older people with similar risks are often left alone, and that in the context of a stroke or heart attack, where every minute counts, getting help on time is crucial, both for health human as for life. .

“When your hands are weak, your face twists, it is difficult to speak, there is nothing to wait, you need to ask for help. And probably the most important thing is not to forget loved ones, friends. Ask more often how successful it’s, how does it feel. Even in such a difficult time when we can’t visit, let’s not forget to at least call. After the stroke, I thought it would be a big disaster to be alone in trouble, “says Algirdas.

Every minute of delay destroys a growing area of ​​the brain.

According to the president of the Lithuanian Stroke Association, neurologist at the Santara Clinics of Vilnius University, prof. Dr. Dalius Jatužis, degrees of stroke can vary depending on the location of the brain injury, the size, and the type of stroke. A stroke can be ischemic or hemorrhagic: An ischemic stroke clogs a blood vessel that feeds the brain, and a hemorrhagic stroke causes blood to flow into the brain or its lining.

Very often, about 90 percent. In all cases of stroke, there is at least one of the following: 1) acute weakness or paralysis on one side of the face (“distorted” face); 2) acute weakness or paralysis of arm or leg strength (a cup, a pen falls from the arm, the raised arm cannot be supported, the leg becomes weak); 3) speech disorder (a person can no longer speak normally, express their thoughts in words, or no longer understand other people’s questions and instructions, even though they have not lost consciousness).

Other less common signs of stroke include numbness on one side of the body, numbness or the sensation of ants running on one side of the body or limb; acute visual impairment in one eye or loss of either side of the field of vision; sudden and unreasonable loss of balance, coordination, or gait.

It happens that the above symptoms appear suddenly and disappear on their own quickly. These short-term symptoms (which usually last less than 1 hour) are called transient ischemic attacks and can predict a major ischemic stroke in the next few days, so a thorough assessment of the risk and possible causes of stroke should be sought. after the symptoms have disappeared. resolved.

Spilling of blood into the lining of the brain (usually caused by ruptured arterial aneurysms) suddenly results in a very severe headache.

Teacher. Dr. D. Jatužis emphasizes that in the event of a stroke, with every minute of delay, a growing area of ​​the brain dies, therefore the saying “time is the brain” is appropriate here, and a reaction is necessary. urgent.

“It is important to react to these symptoms immediately, even if stroke-like symptoms seem harmless and go away on their own. The best help is to call an ambulance as soon as possible, as the patient must be taken to the hospital. closest to treating stroke as soon as possible.

In recent years, with the advent of more modern treatments, stroke has not been described as a fatality or an unchangeable grievance – in the first hours after stroke onset, a catheter was inserted. In case of vascular rupture and bleeding, it is important to reduce blood pressure as soon as possible ”, says prof. Dr. D. Jatužis.

According to him, before the ambulance arrives, it is important to reassure the patient, his environment and collect as much information as possible, which will be very important later: when exactly the person got sick, what were the first symptoms, what diseases. still have and what other drugs the person is taking. He warns that it is better not to give any medication at will, since we do not know the type or cause of the stroke.

The most common consequences are limb weakness, speech, and imbalance.

With timely treatment of stroke and rapid restoration of blood flow, the effects are increasingly minimal or non-existent, but in some cases the stroke does not go away without consequences that can disrupt work, social activities, and daily human activities .

“The most common persistent consequences of a stroke are limb weakness and sensory disturbances on one side of the body, speech problems. Some people still have difficulty correcting balance and coordination disorders, neuropathic pain in paralyzed limbs during a stroke. A person who has had a stroke may experience depression after the stroke or post-stroke cognitive impairment (poorer memory and orientation, difficulty concentrating). Occasionally there are epileptic seizures ”- the most common persistent consequences of a stroke are named by Prof. Dr. D. Jatužis.

According to him, to reduce the effects of stroke, the treatment of acute stroke with modern methods of circulatory restoration is very important, but then no less rehabilitative treatment, which helps to restore impaired brain function, reduces muscle hypertension, helps a person to adapt to new realities and changed lives.

By changing our lifestyle, we will reduce the risk of getting sick

It is important to know that the risk of stroke increases due to other diseases and harmful lifestyle factors, such as high blood pressure (hypertension) and high blood cholesterol (at least the so-called “ bad ”), atherosclerosis, diabetes, heart disease and arrhythmias. such as atrial fibrillation, tremor, myocardial infarction, valve defects and mechanical valve prostheses, heart failure, oncological and inflammatory diseases.

The risk of stroke is also increased by genetically inherited blood clotting diseases or diseases that damage the small blood vessels in the brain. Lifestyle factors that increase the risk of stroke include smoking, heavy alcohol use, lack of physical activity, being overweight, and obesity.

“The risk of stroke increases with age. A stroke that occurs is more threatening in the elderly, and more often ends in complications and a worse outcome. The recovery and rehabilitation process is much more difficult for them due to other comorbidities. However, younger people also have a stroke, but the reasons are often different: genetics, congenital heart defects, detachment of the blood vessels that feed the brain, drug use.

In young women, the risk of stroke, although to a small extent, is increased by complications that develop in late pregnancy, the use of hormonal contraceptives, migraine with aura, if a woman with migraine smokes and uses hormonal contraceptives ”, He said. Prof. Dr. D. Jatužis.

The insurance company registers around 4 thousand. cases of illness and injury

Insurance companies also note concerns about the risk of serious diseases, including stroke. According to Ronaldas Grizickas, Head of Personal Insurance Products at BTA, the insurance company registers around 4,000 cases of injuries, critical illnesses or ailments a year.

It mentions that the benefit in case of critical illness can reach 1,000 to 7,000 euros – it is intended for the insured so that they can calmly rehabilitate and regain strength and recover faster.

“When an event occurs, the insurance company pays the client an insurance benefit, which helps to recover with more peace of mind. It is also a certain guarantee that in the event of an unexpected injury or other trauma, the person’s financial situation will not drastically deteriorate and the insurance benefit will offset part of the lost income. A person can just calmly recover and not worry about losing income during that difficult period, ”says R. Grizickas.

According to him, the amounts depend not only on the severity of the injury, but also on the choice of the client himself. If a person becomes unable to work as a result of an injury, the benefit increases. It is worth noting that a sick or injured person also receives a benefit from Sodra, so personal insurance provides additional protection.

“The more serious the injury, the greater the difficulties, so the insurance benefit increases. The benefit can also be increased by choosing additional risks, such as diet and disease risks, the risk of medical expenses, which are especially relevant in the case of serious injuries, when medical help is needed, and daily work must be replaced by rest and recovery after illness, ”he said.