Cerebrovascular disease (Stroke) is one of the leading causes of death in Thailand, and is also an important cause of disability of the brain that affects the quality of life of patients and their families. Knowing the preliminary warning signals is therefore an important thing that may help save your life and the life of the one you love. In this article we will come to know the 12 warning signals that should be watched for, and the effective methods of prevention
Getting to know "cerebrovascular disease", the silent danger nearer than is thought
Cerebrovascular disease, or Stroke, arises when the circulation of the blood going to nourish the brain is abnormal, which may be because a blood vessel in the brain bursts or is narrowed and blocked, making the cells of the brain lack oxygen and nutrients, with the result that the cells of the brain die and a deficiency of the nervous system arises
Statistics from the Ministry of Public Health find that in Thailand there are more than 200,000 new patients with cerebrovascular disease per year, and what is worrying is that the trend of the disease arising in the group of working age is increasing continuously. The important cause comes from a way of life that has changed, stress from work, the consumption of unsuitable food, and the lack of exercise
A gathering of 12 warning signals of cerebrovascular disease
Knowing these warning signals will help us be able to assess the situation and quickly take the patient to the hospital in good time, which is an important factor in reducing the severity and the effects from the disease
1. Loss of balance
Dizziness, walking unsteadily, or falling without knowing the cause. The symptoms begin from slight dizziness, then become severe until standing or walking is not possible. The patient feels as if the world is spinning or they are falling to one side
2. Abnormal seeing
Seeing double images, not seeing half of what is in front of them, or losing sight suddenly. The patient may see flashing lights or have a blind spot in their vision
3. A twisted face
One side of the face is weak, cannot smile, or the corner of the mouth is twisted. It begins from slight numbness or weakness. The patient cannot raise the eyebrow, close the eye tightly, or frown
4. Weak arm and leg
The arm or the leg on one side is weak or numb acutely, and cannot be raised or walked on normally. The symptoms begin from the tips of the hands or the tips of the feet, then spread upwards
5. Unclear speech
Speaking unclearly, speaking unintelligibly, or understanding language abnormally; sometimes not being able to speak at all. The patient knows what they want to say, but cannot make the sound, or says a word that is not the one they want
6. Severe acute headache
A severe headache that has never happened before, arising suddenly and not relieved by pain-relieving medicine. The patient describes it as the worst pain of their life. It may come together with nausea, vomiting, or a fear of light
7. Symptoms of seizure
Symptoms of seizure arising without a history of epilepsy before, particularly in older people. It may be a seizure of a particular part, such as a twisted face or a twitching arm and leg, or a seizure of the whole body
8. Symptoms of confusion and bewilderment
A sudden decline of memory, confusion about time, place, or person, not knowing where one is oneself or what the day and the time are. It may come together with anxiety or a change of personality
9. Problems of swallowing
Swallowing with difficulty, saliva flowing, or choking easily; feeling that food or water stays in the throat and cannot be swallowed down, food flowing back out through the nose, a hoarse voice. It is dangerous because the food may enter the lungs
10. Nausea and vomiting
Severe vomiting without knowing the cause, particularly when it comes together with other symptoms. It arises suddenly, not connected with eating food, is severe and continuous, and makes eating food impossible
11. Tiredness and severe exhaustion
Abnormal exhaustion, with no strength to do anything, even though rest has been enough. It differs from normal tiredness; it is not relieved even by resting, with no strength even to raise the arm
12. Symptoms of continuous hiccups
Hiccups lasting abnormally long and not stopping, particularly in women. The symptoms continue for many hours or many days, and do not stop by general methods, such as holding the breath or drinking water
The main acute warning signals, remembered accurately by the principle of B.E.F.A.S.T.
Besides the 12 warning signals, physicians have also developed an easy method of remembering, so that people in general can assess an emergency situation quickly
- B - Balance (balance): observe the walking and the balance
- E - Eyes (eyes): check the seeing
- F - Face (face): have them smile to see whether the face is twisted or not
- A - Arms (arms): have them raise both arms up
- S - Speech (speech): have them say a simple sentence
- T - Time (time): note the time at which the symptoms began and quickly take them to the hospital
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What does cerebrovascular disease in people of young age arise from?
In young people, the main causes are the use of contraceptive medicine, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, stress, not sleeping enough, the use of addictive substances, abnormalities of the blood vessels, infection, or genetic diseases
What is a TIA or Mini-Stroke, and how dangerous is it?
A TIA is a state of the brain temporarily lacking blood to nourish it. The symptoms are similar to cerebrovascular disease but go away by themselves within 24 hours. Although the symptoms go away, it is an important warning signal, because the risk of really having cerebrovascular disease is higher within 90 days
After having been ill, how must one care for oneself in order to prevent it coming back again?
- Take the medicine as the physician prescribes regularly
- Control the blood pressure, the sugar in the blood, and the fat in the blood
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
- Exercise as is suitable
- Come for examination according to the appointment regularly
- Restore physical capability by physiotherapy in order to reduce the risk from falling
In summary
Cerebrovascular disease is a silent danger that may arise in everyone. Knowing the 12 warning signals and remembering the principle of B.E.F.A.S.T. will help us be able to assess the situation and give help in good time. Prevention by changing the way of life, caring for health regularly, and an annual health examination are important things that will help reduce the risk of the disease arising
PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic has a team of physicians specialised in the field of rehabilitation medicine, ready to give a consultation concerning prevention and the care of the health of the nervous system and the muscles, particularly for the group of working people who have a risk of cerebrovascular disease from chronic pain, sitting and working for a long time, or accumulated stress, if you have symptoms of neck pain, shoulder pain, chronic headache, or want a health examination in order to assess the risk