If you believe the person is having a stroke, don’t let them drive to the hospital. Call 911 and wait for help to arrive. Don’t give them any medication. Although aspirin is a blood thinner, don’t give someone aspirin while they’re having a stroke. A blood clot is only one cause of a stroke.
Full Answer
What should you do if you suspect a stroke?
Because a stroke can be life-threatening and lead to permanent disability, it’s important to act fast. If you suspect that a loved one is having a stroke, here’s what you should and shouldn’t do during this critical time. Do call an ambulance. If a loved one is experiencing a stroke, your first instinct might be to drive them to the hospital.
What should you not give someone who is having a stroke?
Don’t give them any medication. Although aspirin is a blood thinner, don’t give someone aspirin while they’re having a stroke. A blood clot is only one cause of a stroke. A stroke can also be caused by a burst blood vessel in the brain.
Should you drive someone to the hospital after a stroke?
If a loved one is experiencing a stroke, your first instinct might be to drive them to the hospital. But in this situation, it’s best to call 911. An ambulance can get to your location and get the person to a hospital quicker.
How can I reduce my loved one's risk of stroke?
Reduce risks, or stroke may strike again. Survivors are at high risk of having another stroke. Make sure your loved one eats a healthy diet, exercises, takes medications as prescribed and visits their healthcare provider regularly.
What happens if you don't seek treatment for a stroke?
“It's critical to recognize the signs and symptoms and seek treatment as soon as possible, because for every minute a stroke is left untreated, up to 2 million brain cells die.”
Can a stroke patient refusing treatment?
Patients have the right to make decisions about their health care, including refusing a particular treatment or a life-sustaining activity such as eating. However, patients must be able to understand and appreciate the consequences of their actions.
Is it normal for stroke patients to not want to eat?
Overview. It is common to have trouble swallowing, also called dysphagia, after a stroke. You may not be able to feel food on one or both sides of your mouth. You may also have problems chewing or producing enough saliva.
How long can a stroke patient survive without food?
If you stop eating and drinking, death can occur as early as a few days, though for most people, approximately ten days is the average. In rare instances, the process can take as long as several weeks.
What to do when you call 911 for a stroke?
When you call 911 and request help, notify the operator that you suspect the person is having a stroke. Paramedics will be better prepared to help them, and the hospital can prepare for their arrival. Do keep track of symptoms. Your loved one may be unable to communicate at the hospital, so the more information you can provide, the better.
How to keep a person from being unconscious during a stroke?
To keep them comfortable, loosen restrictive clothing. Do perform CPR, if needed. Some people may become unconscious during a stroke. If this happens, check your loved one to see if they’re still breathing. If you cannot find a pulse, start performing CPR.
What happens when you have a stroke?
Do’s and Don’ts When a Loved One Is Experiencing a Stroke. Strokes can happen without warning and typically result from a blood clot in the brain. People experiencing a stroke may suddenly be unable to walk or talk. They may also seem confused and have weakness on one side of their body.
Why is it important to act fast after a stroke?
Because a stroke can be life-threatening and lead to permanent disability, it’s important to act fast. If you suspect that a loved one is having a stroke, here’s what you should and shouldn’t do during this critical time.
What conditions can you talk to a stroke patient?
These conditions might include high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, or diabetes. Do talk to the person experiencing a stroke. As you wait for the ambulance to arrive, gather as much information from the person as possible while they’re still able to communicate.
What to do if you can't find a pulse?
If you cannot find a pulse, start performing CPR. If you don’t know how to perform CPR, the 911 operator can walk you through the process until help arrives. Do stay calm. As hard as it might be, try to stay calm throughout this process.
Can you walk with a stroke?
People experiencing a stroke may suddenly be unable to walk or talk. They may also seem confused and have weakness on one side of their body. As an onlooker, this can be a frightening experience. If you don’t know much about strokes, you may not know how to respond. Because a stroke can be life-threatening and lead to permanent disability, ...
What happens when someone you love refuses to get treatment?
When someone you love refuses to get professional treatment for their mental health disorder—such as depression, bipolar disorder, or substance abuse —this can put you, as a family member, in a very uncomfortable and difficult position. You care for the person and can see that he or she needs help, but feel powerless and unable to just stand by.
What does it mean to distancing yourself from a sick family member?
That, a lot of times, means distancing yourself from the sick family member who refused treatment. Everyone has limits, and when said mentally sick family member has a long history of repeated abusive behavior I say family members have a right to protect themselves from harm.
How old do you have to be to get a psychotic treatment?
You care for the person and can see that he or she needs help, but feel powerless and unable to just stand by. You cannot force anyone over the age of 18 into treatment, unless they pose a danger to themselves or others or show signs of psychotic thinking (which is not very common).
Why does my loved one refuse to move forward?
If your loved one refuses to move forward, it’s useful to try to understand what is behind his reasons for refusing treatment and then address those issues. A person may refuse to accept mental health treatment for many reasons, including: He may believe it indicates he is a failure.
Can elderly people not participate in treatment?
Other's won't participate, and, if they aren' t a danger to themselves or others, have a right to not participate in treatment. The author mentioned elderly people. Elderly people (probably over the age of 75 or so) didn't grow up with treatment options, and thus, many won' t participate in them.
Can an elderly parent be left alone?
If your family member who has depression is an elderly parent, you may have to arrange for someone to be with her so that she’s not left alone during the day when others in the family are away at work or school. Caring for someone is a full time job that is not easy. Good luck!
Is it hard to keep up with meds?
It's really hard to keep up your motivation and keep on trying when so many things don' t go your way, when meds don't work or you have side effects to them. I know, I've been there too. It feels like you have nothing left to do, but actually there's always something else to try. This I know for sure.
What happens if you can't agree on a stroke?
If an agreement can’t be reached, the case may need to go to court for a legal ruling.
What happens if you have a stroke and you don't survive?
Looking after yourself. When your loved one is so unwell with a stroke that they may not survive, it can be a very difficult and stressful time. This can be even more difficult if the person is unwell for a long period.
What does it mean when you are in a coma?
This is sometimes called unconsciousness or coma, and it means that important parts of the brain are not working well. Coma is a worrying sign, as it may mean that the stroke is severe enough ...
What does a stroke nurse do?
They carry out checks and treatments to reduce the risk of another stroke and avoid complications developing. They also look after the person’s comfort and wellbeing. They will support family members or carers at a difficult time and should let you know what is happening.
What does it mean when you are in a coma after a stroke?
Coma is a worrying sign, as it may mean that the stroke is severe enough that the person may not survive. Coma can have a number of causes. In some situations the cause of the coma can be reversed, but often there is no direct treatment.
What happens when the blood supply inside the brain is disrupted?
A stroke happens when the blood supply inside the brain is disrupted, killing brain cells. If this happens in a part of the brain that controls the body’s automatic ‘life support’ systems like breathing and heartbeat, it can be life-threatening.
What is the procedure to remove the skull?
This surgery is called decompressive hemicraniectomy.
How to help someone who has a stroke?
Evaluate whether your loved one is having a hard time controlling emotions. Consult a healthcare provider to develop a plan of action. Stop depression before it hinders recovery. Post-stroke depression is common, with as many as 30-50 percent of stroke survivors depressed in the early or later phases of post-stroke.
What to do if you have a stroke and you are at high risk?
Survivors are at high risk of having another stroke. Make sure your loved one eats a healthy diet, exercises, takes medications as prescribed and visits their healthcare provider regularly.
What to do if your rehabilitation is denied?
If rehabilitation services are denied due to lack of “medical necessity,” ask your loved one’s healthcare provider to provide records to the insurance carrier and, if necessary, call the insurance company. Know your rights.
How long does it take to recover from a stroke?
The most rapid recovery usually occurs during the first three to four months after a stroke, but some survivors continue to recover well into the first and second year after their stroke. Some signs point to physical therapy. Caregivers should consider assistance from a physical or occupational therapist if their loved one has: dizziness;
How to take care of a loved one?
You have access to your loved one’s medical and rehabilitation records, including written notes and brain imaging films. Take care of you. Take a break from caregiving by asking another family member, friend or neighbor to help while you take time for yourself. Eat healthy, exercise and get adequate rest.
What happens if speech language pathologists do not eliminate aspiration?
If treatment procedures do not eliminate aspiration, then the speech-language pathologist must decide whether or not to assist the patient in oral feeding. The concern of course is to reduce the speech-language pathologist's liability should the patient get pneumonia and/or die because of eating orally.
Why do speech pathologists want to prevent aspiration?
The speech-language pathologist's wish to prevent aspiration and prolong life conflicts with the patient's wishes for comfort and avoiding life prolongation using tube feeding. Many speech-language pathologists are uncomfortable feeding a patient who aspirates, and may worry about legal liability.
What to do if you have a stroke on day 1?
Day 1: Initial Treatment. If you experience a stroke, you will likely be initially admitted to an emergency department to stabilize your condition and determine the type of stroke. If it is caused by a blood clot (ischemic stroke), clot-busting medication can help reduce long-term effects if you are treated in time.
What is the best treatment for stroke?
One innovative technique is noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS), which uses weak electrical currents to stimulate areas of the brain associated with specific tasks like movement or speech. This stimulation can help boost the effects of therapy.
Why is speech therapy important?
Speech-language therapy is important for patients who have trouble swallowing due to stroke or aftereffects of having a breathing tube. Therapy sessions are conducted up to six times each day while the patient is at the hospital, which helps evaluate the damage caused by the stroke and jump-start the recovery.
What are the activities of daily living after a stroke?
Activities of daily living (ADL) become the focus of rehabilitation after a stroke. ADL typically include tasks like bathing or preparing food. But you should also talk with your care team about activities important to you, such as performing a work-related skill or a hobby, to help set your recovery goals.
How long does it take to recover from a stroke?
The 6-Month Mark and Beyond. After six months, improvements are possible but will be much slower. Most stroke patients reach a relatively steady state at this point. For some, this means a full recovery. Others will have ongoing impairments, also called chronic stroke disease.
What are the long term effects of stroke?
The long-term effects of stroke — which vary from person to person, depending on the stroke’s severity and the area of the brain affected — may include: 1 Cognitive symptoms like memory problems and trouble speaking 2 Physical symptoms such as weakness, paralysis and difficulty swallowing 3 Emotional symptoms like depression and impulsivity 4 Heavy fatigue and trouble sleeping
What kind of doctor can help with stroke?
A neurologist, who understands the mechanisms behind stroke-related brain injury and can suggest customized treatments to target the affected area of the brain. A rehabilitation psychologist, who can help with cognitive, emotional and behavioral functioning as well as reintegrating with the community, which can aid in recovery.