Stroke
Also called paralysis, brain attack, brain stroke, lakwa, falij
What this condition is
A stroke happens when the blood supply to a part of the brain is suddenly cut off, either by a blockage or by bleeding. Brain cells need a constant supply of blood, so even a short interruption can affect movement, speech or other abilities. A stroke is a medical emergency, and getting help in the first few hours can make a big difference to recovery. If you or a loved one is living after a stroke, please know that with rehabilitation, support and steady management of your health, meaningful recovery and a good quality of life are very possible.
Signs to watch for
- Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, usually on one side
- Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech
- Drooping of one side of the face
- Sudden blurred or lost vision in one or both eyes
- Sudden severe headache, dizziness or loss of balance
What to do
- Act fast and reach a hospital immediately if stroke signs appear
- Take your medicines for blood pressure, sugar and blood thinning as prescribed
- Continue physiotherapy, speech therapy and exercises advised for recovery
- Eat a balanced, low salt diet and stay gently active
- Keep regular follow up to prevent another stroke
What to avoid
- Do not wait to see if symptoms pass on their own
- Do not stop your blood thinners or BP medicines without advice
- Avoid tobacco completely and limit alcohol
- Do not skip your rehabilitation sessions
- Avoid a high salt, high fat diet
Ways to feel better day to day
- Keep up daily exercises at home between therapy sessions
- Set small, achievable goals and celebrate steady progress
- Make the home safer to prevent falls, with grab bars and good lighting
- Stay socially connected, as company supports both mood and recovery
- Control blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol to protect the brain
Speak to a doctor if
- Any sudden face drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty, even briefly
- Sudden severe headache unlike any before
- Sudden loss of vision or balance
- Confusion or trouble understanding others
- Return or worsening of earlier stroke symptoms
Your next step
Turn this into a plan that is yours
Everything above is general. Your dose, your targets and your test schedule depend on your age, your reports and the other conditions you live with.
