May is National Stroke Awareness Month so PatientTalk.Org are running a blog which aims not just to raise awareness of stokes but also to provide some tips on how you can spot somebody having a stroke.

In the USA it has been estimated that 140,000 die of strokes each year and that it is the third most common cause of death.  Typically it affects people over the age of 65.

So what actually is a stroke?  Often called a brain attack strokes are typically separated into two different kinds. Ischemic strokes occur when there is a blockage of the artery in the brain.  These are by far the most common type of strokes.  A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel bursts causing leakage of blood into the brain.

It is worth mentioning that in almost all cases the symptoms come on very fast.  The five main signs of a stroke are:-

1)      Sudden very severe headaches

2)      Sudden numbness.  It could be the face, a limb or one side of the body

3)      Dizziness and a loss of balance

4)      Sudden difficulty in seeing with one or both eyes.

5)      Inability to speak, cognitive dysfunctions and difficulty in understanding others.

If you suffer from symptoms of a stroke (even temporary ones) it is vital that you contact emergency services as soon as possible.  The faster you get treatment the better your changes of recovery from a stroke.

Have you or a loved one had a stroke?  If so it would be great if you could share your story.  We are interested in all aspects of your stroke story but you might think about the following questions:-

a)      When did you have your stroke and at what age?

b)      Do you know what the causes of your stroke were?

c)       What sort of treatment for your stroke did you receive and how effective were these treatments?

d)      How did having a stroke affect your lifestyle?

It would be great if you could use the comment box below to share your stroke story with our readers

Many thanks in advance.