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LIFESTYLE NEWS & VIDEOS - Although there are different kinds of strokes, they are all caused by interruptions in blood flow to the brain.
In South Africa, 132 000 people suffer from strokes each year. This boils down to 360 strokes per day, of which 110 people die and 90 are left with a life changing disability.
Strokes do not discriminate and affect people of all ages, races and fitness levels - from unborn babies to the elderly.
Not only are strokes the leading cause of long-term disability in South Africa, but they are also the fourth biggest natural killer in our country.
Awards for local angels
During an Angels Initiative roadshow held in George in November last year, Southern Cape ER24 branch manager, Johann Prinsloo, Dr Isabel van der Merwe from the Mediclinic George and Saretha van Wyngaardt, an occupational therapist formally from George, were awarded the Angels Initiative Spirit of Excellence Award for their endless hours creating awareness regarding stroke identification and care along the Garden Route.
They established a hyper-acute stroke pathway between every hospital in the Southern Cape and played an essential role in ensuring optimal patient care at the respective facilities to improve in- and pre-hospital stroke services.
"Over the past year, we have dedicated an immense amount of time towards creating awareness with regard to strokes and the treatment options available for stroke patients at various nursing homes and hospitals in the area," Prinsloo said.
Reaching out to hundreds
In the process hundreds of medical professionals and members of the public were reached.
"In our area, especially on the outskirts, there aren’t really stroke ready centres or hospitals. I think it is so important to create awareness around strokes. We started awareness sessions with our own staff. With the help of stroke awareness campaigns, we rolled out the awareness sessions to doctors, sisters, home based care nurses, other emergency workers, fire departments, as well as to members of the public, through the local municipality," he said.
Watch a video below:
The team’s approach was to educate the people on the following:
Explaining what a stroke is, recognizing a stroke, what to do in an emergency situation and what to do to prevent a stroke.
"In our line of work, we do not expect to be recognized or rewarded as it is part of our calling. However, if recognition does come our way it is highly appreciated. We would therefore like to dedicate this award to everyone that was involved in the stroke project and the team members of ER24 Southern Cape and Mediclinic," said Prinsloo.
Different types of strokes
Strokes come in different shapes and sizes but they are all caused by interruptions in the blood flow to the brain.
- An Ischaemic stroke is caused by blood clots
- Embolic stroke is when a clot forms elsewhere and is transported to the brain.
- Thrombotic stroke is when a clot forms in artery supplying the brain.
- Haemorrhagic stroke is caused by ruptured blood vessels and blood leaks into the brain tissue.
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA) aka a mini stroke is caused by a temporary blood clot.
Recognising a stroke
- Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body.
- Sudden unusual, severe and persistent headache.
- Sudden difficulty speaking or loss of sight in one or both eyes.
- The Fast test, detects 80 % of stroke
- Posterior or brain stem strokes may be missed
Watch a video below:
The FAST test entails:
Face - The person suspected of having a stroke should smile or show their teeth. If one side is limp, they could be having a stroke.
Arm - The person should raise both arms for five to 10 seconds while their eyes are closed. If one arm is limp or drifts down, they could be having a stroke.
Speech - Repeat any sentence. If there is trouble understanding or repeating the sentence, the person may be having a stroke.
Time - If any of the above is happening, the person must get to the nearest stroke unit or appropriate facility immediately.
What to do in an emergency
You need to get to a stroke unit as quickly as possible, as many strokes can be reversed if blood flow to the brain is restored before the brain tissue dies. Studies showed that Pre Notification from EMS plays a vital role in a quicker Door to needle time with an improved patient outcome.
Preventative measures
Risk factors for strokes:
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Atrial fibrillation
• Diabetes
• High Bad Cholestorol
• Inactivity
• Obesity
• Excessive Alcohol
• Poor diet
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