Acute cerebrovascular accident is a group of clinical syndromes that cause neurological disorders. These pathological conditions are combined into a single one called a stroke. An attack usually occurs completely unexpectedly, and only a quick reaction from others and a timely called emergency team can save a person from serious consequences and death.
Kinds
Stroke is divided into two types:
The first type is found in 80% of all cases. It occurs against the background of narrowing and / or blockage of the arteries, as a result of which a sufficient amount of oxygen does not enter the brain cells and they die. The pathology of this species has several subtypes:
- lacunar;
- atherosclerotic;
- cardioembolic;
- cryptogenic.
Hemorrhagic stroke is divided into four types:
- Hemorrhage localized on the periphery and in the thickness of the brain.
- Ventricular - in which hemorrhage is observed in the lateral ventricles of the brain.
- Combined - affects several different parts of the brain.
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage is extremely rare - in 5% of cases. Here, blood enters the space between the skull and the brain.
Clinical picture
Acute cerebrovascular accident (help and symptoms described in this article) in most cases occurs in the form of an attack. It begins with general weakness, which comes on suddenly. Sensitivity in the limbs is lost, even paralysis can occur. Most often, symptoms are observed on one side of the body and are called focal, that is, disorders occur in one part of the brain.
The patient speaks confusedly, vision problems may begin, up to complete blindness in both eyes. Possible onset of dizziness, impaired coordination of movement, double vision.
In other patients, it all starts with intense migraine, which manifests itself suddenly, without obvious provoking factors. Depressed condition, even the onset of coma.
Meningeal signs are called symptoms characterized by photophobia, lethargy of the cervical muscles.
Intracranial hemorrhages are characterized by clear symptoms of an attack. For ischemic attacks, the clinical picture is moderate or mild.
Risk factors
Acute cerebrovascular accident (emergency care should be provided immediately) is caused by provoking factors. They are divided into controlled and uncontrolled species. The latter include hereditary predisposition, gender and age. The first group includes those that depend on the person himself:
- smoking;
- diabetes;
- consistently high pressure in excess of 140/90 mm Hg;
- addiction to alcohol;
- excess weight;
- ischemic attack, stroke;
- lack of physical activity;
- the presence of atrial fibrillation;
- stress factors;
- improper nutrition;
- regular use of oral contraceptives.
Getting rid of bad habits and monitoring your health are factors that reduce the risk of an attack.
How to proceed: Algorithm
Emergency care for acute cerebrovascular accident should begin with calling an ambulance team, even if the symptoms appear only a few minutes.
Until the doctors arrive, if the person is conscious, it is necessary to act according to the following scheme:
- Set the patient in a position convenient for him.
- The room must have sufficient fresh air.
- If a person has clothes on, then they should be unfastened, especially a shirt at the throat.
- Measure pressure.
- If the upper level exceeds 220 mm Hg. Art., then immediately give the patient a medicine that he takes on an ongoing basis.
- Measure body temperature.
- If it is equal to 39 degrees and above, then it is necessary to give the patient two tablets of paracetamol.
You should know that you can not use other antipyretic drugs.
If the person is in an unconscious state, then emergency care for acute cerebrovascular accident should begin with the fact that the patient should be put on his side. If there are removable dentures in the mouth, they must be pulled out, the oral cavity should be freed from food debris. And the main thing is to make sure that the person is breathing.
Other events
Emergency care for acute cerebrovascular accident should be carried out taking into account the following recommendations:
- In no case, except "Paracetamol", you can not give any pills to reduce body temperature. You can attach ice or products from the freezer to your forehead.
- If the patient has high cholesterol, then he needs to be given a medicine that he consumes on an ongoing basis. These are Lovastatin, Rosuvastatin, Pravastatin and others. The dose of the drug should not exceed the daily norm.
- In cases when the patient has problems with swallowing and saliva drips from the oral cavity, he should tilt his head in the direction that is weaker. At the same time, wipe the saliva with napkins.
- If the patient is unable to speak or slurred speech, then he must be reassured and try to convince that this phenomenon is temporary. It is not necessary that the patient himself speak. In support of a person, you can take a hand that was not numb, speak quietly with him and calm him down.
Things to remember
Remember, the state of intoxication is not a reason for refusing to provide first aid for acute violation of cerebral circulation. Therefore, immediately call a team of doctors. According to statistics, 30% of people who died at home during the onset of stroke, were intoxicated, and they did not receive timely assistance.
The first 10 minutes from the onset of the attack are the most important. If necessary, doctors can conduct an indoor heart massage, which according to statistics saves the lives of 50% of patients.
Prevention
Compliance with emergency standards for acute cerebrovascular accident is an important prerequisite for saving lives. But everyone should understand that their own health is only in their hands. Therefore, you must regularly undergo a medical examination. Statistics show that only 50% of people with high blood pressure are aware of their condition. And only about 15% of patients constantly monitor their blood pressure.
Although in most cases, hypertension is not so difficult to find out. Usually this is a person with increased body weight, intense facial expressions and the characteristic color of the skin on the face.
Clinic and emergency care for acute cerebrovascular accident - this is something that patients and people living with them should be aware of. This will make it possible to respond in a timely manner to an attack.
If a person knows that he has high blood pressure, then a tonometer must be in the house. Check the indicator should be daily morning and evening. Despite the fact that the WHO considers hypertensive individuals who have a pressure equal to or higher than 140/90 mm RT. Art., you should always take into account the individual characteristics of the body. To a large extent this applies to women. If the representative of the weaker sex has had a pressure at the level of 90/60 all his life, then an increase to 130/80 can already be critical.
If hypertensive is a smoker, then the number of cigarettes must be minimized, and it is best to abandon this habit altogether.
Allowed to drink no more than 50 ml of strong drinks or 2 glasses of dry wine per day.
Be sure to undergo a full examination of the body to detect or verify the absence of problems with the work of the heart. After 35 years, it is recommended to undergo an ECG once every 6 months.
An important factor in the development of the disease is elevated blood cholesterol, the level of which should be monitored. If there is a history of diabetes, then a change in glucose should be carried out on an ongoing basis. Do not forget about an active lifestyle and proper nutrition. Care must be taken to avoid emotional upheaval.
Conclusion
Symptoms and first aid for acute cerebrovascular accident:
- The onset of ischemic stroke usually manifests itself in the form of numbness of body parts, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and speech impairment. It is very important to provide assistance on time. The development of a wide stroke in the absence of treatment can occur within 3-6 hours from the onset of the first symptoms. You cannot procrastinate with help.
- Hemorrhagic stroke is characterized by an increasing headache, breathing problems, pulsation in the skull, the appearance of black flies in front of the eyes. Often there is paralysis of one of the sides of the body. This type of pathology develops much faster and can begin as an epileptic seizure.
Very important: in acute cerebrovascular accident, emergency care provided in the first minutes after the onset of the first symptoms can save a person’s life. It should be remembered that a stroke never passes without a trace. About 60% of all survivors after the attack remain disabled, of which 40% require lifelong medical care.