Warning Signs of Stroke Education and Awareness

The emergency medical services (EMS) are training their paramedics to better understand the early warning signs of a stroke, in order that they are better able to support stroke victims across the country. Chances of stroke recovery can be greatly enhanced the quicker the victim receives treatment.

The Emergency Medical Services has introduced a number of changes through improved education, increased awareness of paramedics and studies of stroke care throughout the country.The more common warning signs of a stroke include the following symptoms:

1. An unexplained and sudden numbing sensation or feeling very week in the face, or down one side of the body.

2. Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye.

3. Inability to speak fluently or a complete loss of speech. It is understood that stroke victims are well aware of what is happening to them when they are experiencing a stroke, but are unable to communicate their predicament as their words are either mumbled or they are unable to speak at all.

4. Intense and sudden headaches for no apparent reason.

5. An unsteady sensation, or dizziness, or even inability to stand, especially if experiencing any of the other stroke symptoms as well.

The package being introduced by the EMS is aimed at educating and empowering everybody who plays any role within the realm of supporting a stroke victim. From call handlers, to paramedics, to medical staff, and even the scientists and research staff. The end result is a system that can get the support to a victim as quickly as possible to ensure their chances of stroke recovery are as high as possible.

A recent study by the Central New York EMS program found the average person who had a stroke waited nearly 2 hours before calling for assistance. EMS has attempted to fight this delay by becoming more aggressive with public education on stroke warning signs and symptoms and urging patients to call 911 or the their EMS for assistance at the first signs of stroke.

The emergency services have streamlined protocols and processes for dealing with stroke victims, but it's vital that they get the call for help as quickly as possible. Paramedics have the knowledge and training to administer appropriate support to stroke victims "at the scene" which again greatly increases the chances for recovery. Some of these improvements include more appropriate patient assessments, better understanding of stroke symptoms, reports to physicians in emergency departments and transporting the patients to hospitals with stroke teams.

The odds of stroke recovery and even survival decrease the longer it takes to get a patient the necessary medical treatment they need. And with the rate of stroke attacks increasing every year, it's vital that we all understand the signs of stroke and are better able to help someone should we ever find ourselves in that situation.

http://www.supportafterstroke.com/warningsignsofastroke.html

Warning Signs of Stroke
How to identify the warning signs of a stroke