Central Nervous System
Stroke and Seizure
What Is A Stroke?
A stroke may also be known as a cerebrovascular accident or cerebrovascular disease or a brain attack A stroke affects about 4 in every 1,000 people.
It is the 3rd leading cause of death in most developed countries, including the U.S and the U.K.
The chances of suffering a stroke rises dramatically with age although young people and even babies can suffer strokes.
The chance of stroke occurring doubles with each decade after age 35.
About 5% of people over age 65 have had at least one stroke. It occurs in men more often than women.
The symptoms include a loss of some brain functions occurring when there is an interruption in the supply of blood to the brain.
The primary blood supply to the brain is through 2 arteries in the neck , which then branch off within the brain to multiple arteries that each supply a specific area of the brain. Even a small interruption this flow of blood into the brain can cause problems in brain function .
The symptoms may differ depending on which part of the brain has been affected. Symptoms may include:
- Vision Problems
- Speech changes
- Changes in consciousness
- Problems with limb movement
The main factors increasing the risks for a stroke include:
- A history of high blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Smoking
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- Diabetes
- Migraine
- Younger women have a fairly low risk for a stroke, but the use of birth control pills will increase their risk, and smoking combined with use of birth control pills makes the risk even higher.
Assessment tools
The Cincinnati Stroke Scale is a useful tool when assessing a patient that you are suspecting may be having a stroke. You may report abnormal findings when you contact MMH.
| Facial Droop - Have patient to smile and show teeth. | Normal - Equal Movement Abnormal - Unequal movement |
| Arm Drift - Have patient extend arms in front of them and close their eyes | Normal - Equal or no movement in Both arms. Abnormal - No movement at all or drifting of one arm. |
| Speech - Have patient say a common phrase i.e. "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" | Normal - Correct words and no slurring. Abnormal - Incorrect words, slurred speech, or no speech. |
Management
Our treatment and management of acute onset "Brain Attacks" is fairly simple. The key is early recognition and expedient transport of patients, especially those with-in the 5 hour time frame from onset of symptoms. When we do our job recognizing an acute onset stoke we set moving a complex chain of events that can truly make the difference in the quality of life for an individual.
Our Protocol In Review....
| Universal Patient Care Protocol then... IV Protocol and CBG ---> then... Contact Medical Control (Code Stroke) |
If Blood Glucose is less than 80 treat and reassess... |
Consider other needs for treatment such as:
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| Don't forget EXPEDIENT transfer to Memorial Mission Hospital | |
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