Spotting, Responding to and Surviving Strokes

You never know when you could save a life including your own

I have the privilege of caring for stroke patients on a daily basis.

Over the years, I have learned that the effects of a person’s stroke and their prognosis will be as unique as they are.

A stroke for some, while serious, is merely a bump in the road. For others, their lives will forever be altered, and they may never walk, talk or see again.

It is important to know the steps that you can take to help prevent a stroke, such as managing your blood pressure, diabetes and diet; not smoking and staying physically active. However, when a stroke occurs, the most important thing is time.

Once the clock starts ticking, the time it takes to recognize a stroke’s symptoms, respond and receive treatment makes a drastic difference in a person’s chance of survival and their future quality of life.

Every second counts, and it takes a team of knowledgeable individuals who are prepared to act quickly and appropriately.

If you or someone around you is experiencing any of these symptoms (right), call 911 immediately.

You should never wait to see if they pass or be dismissive of potential warning signs.

Do not assume that someone is ever too young or healthy to experience a stroke. Although strokes are less common in younger people, everyone is susceptible.

That includes infants, children and young adults.

Today’s treatment options are better than ever before, however their effectiveness depends greatly on how quickly they are administered.

With almost 800,000 Americans expected to have a stroke this year, it is essential that we all know how to spot symptoms and respond immediately.

10 Symptoms of a Stroke

Here are some of the symptoms of a stroke everyone should know:

• Face drooping
• Arm weakness
• Numbness (particularly on one side of the body)
• Slurred speech or difficulty communicating
• Sudden trouble walking
• Dizziness
• Sudden loss of vision
• Confusion
• Severe headache
• Difficulty understanding

Dr. Fred Aubert Jr. is a board-certified neurologist with more than 13 years of experience, and he cares for patients at White-Wilson Medical Center in Fort Walton Beach. He provides treatment for a range of neurological disorders, including stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and seizures.