Caught off guard? Protecting the brain is urgent

Author: Liu Xiaolu, deputy chief physician, Peking University Third Hospital

Reviewer: Yang Qiong, deputy chief physician, Peking University Third Hospital

Stroke is one of the most common major diseases. It develops rapidly and progresses rapidly, which seriously threatens people's lives. Early identification of stroke is of great significance for the treatment and prognosis of patients. We must develop the ability to identify stroke and nip it in the bud.

Remember these three numbers to effectively identify stroke

Stroke develops rapidly and the symptoms may be severe, so it is necessary to identify it immediately so that you can go to the hospital for treatment in time. Here is a tip for identifying stroke - stroke "120".

"One" look at a face: please face the mirror and show your teeth, and pay attention to whether the facial lines (nasolabial folds) on both sides of the mouth are symmetrical. If one side is deeper and the other side is lighter, you should suspect a stroke.

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"Second" check both arms: please raise both arms horizontally. Under normal circumstances, a healthy person's arms can be kept raised horizontally for a long time. If one arm cannot be lifted, stroke should be suspected.

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"Zero" means listening to language. You can talk to your friends. If you find that you can't speak clearly or have a lisp, you should also suspect a stroke.

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If any of the three "120" situations occurs, you should call the emergency number immediately and choose the nearest stroke center for timely treatment to buy time for rescue.

2. What should I do if I experience warning symptoms of suspected stroke?

If there are warning symptoms of suspected stroke, the patient needs to immediately notify people around him or her or have family members accompany him or her, and call the emergency number or go to the emergency room as soon as possible. Be sure to choose a hospital that can treat stroke, such as a hospital with a stroke center.

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The best time to treat a stroke is within 3 hours of onset. Time is life. The sooner the better. Don't wait for the patient to get better on his own, lest you lose the best time for treatment. It is best to use a stretcher when moving the patient to avoid bumps on the road.

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While waiting for the ambulance, the patient should remain quiet and rest in bed, and family members can perform home emergency treatment. If there is a blood pressure monitor and/or blood glucose meter at home, family members can measure and record the patient's blood pressure and/or blood glucose. Be careful not to give the patient some drugs with uncertain efficacy to avoid adverse reactions, or choking and aspiration caused by the patient's swallowing problems, which increases the difficulty of treatment.

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Family members should also prepare the patient's medical records and test results, as well as the documents required for medical treatment. A family member who understands the patient's condition should accompany the patient to the hospital so that they can provide the doctor with a detailed medical history.

3.How to prevent stroke?

Studies have shown that about 90% of strokes worldwide are caused by 10 risk factors, including high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, smoking, lack of exercise, abdominal obesity, heart disease, dietary factors, drinking, diabetes and psychological factors.

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Among them, hypertension is the main risk factor and the most important target for effectively predicting stroke. To prevent and control hypertension, we should pay attention to salt restriction (it is recommended to use a salt spoon), balanced diet, weight control, proper physical activity, an optimistic attitude, reduced work pressure, quit smoking, and limit alcohol.

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Exercise needs to be diversified, and appropriate aerobic exercise should be selected according to personal circumstances. Avoid injuries during exercise, do not overload, do not shake your head violently, and the elderly should avoid falling. If you have abdominal obesity, you should pay attention to improving your lifestyle, eating a healthy diet, and increasing your exercise.

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If abnormal blood lipid levels occur, lifestyle adjustments should be made first, including a low-salt, low-fat diet and appropriate exercise. If lifestyle improvements still fail to improve abnormal blood lipid levels, lipid-lowering drugs will be needed for treatment.

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In addition, if you have already suffered a stroke, you should pay attention to preventing stroke recurrence (reoccurrence). According to the clinical guidelines for secondary prevention of stroke issued by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA), about 80% of stroke recurrence can be prevented by controlling blood pressure, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, staying away from tobacco, and maintaining a healthy weight.