Know the Symptoms of Stroke to Save Your Life

Stroke is one of the common causes of death. It strikes thousands of people every year. Often, stroke can happen anytime. People would often say, "I didn't know I was having a stroke." or "I didn't know he was having a stroke." Sadly, people do not know the symptoms of stroke. So, even if it is actually happening, they cannot recognize the stroke symptoms. Often, this results to paralysis or death.

What is a Stroke?
Generally, stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and floods the brain area with blood. This causes to moderate to severe damage to that area. Having a stroke is devastating. It could leave people with damaged hearing or slurred speech. Some people become paralyzed and there are some who dies from it. It is very important, therefore, that you know how to recognize the symptoms of even a mild stroke in order to reduce the risks of complications. You will be able to act quickly once you recognize that you are having a stroke or a loved one is having one.

What are the Common Signs and Symptoms of Stroke?
Knowing the signs of an impending stroke would help you get prompt treatment. The symptoms are sudden; and often, there is more than one symptom. These stroke symptoms include:

a. Sudden weakness, paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or leg. Typically, this occurs only in one side of the body.

b. Sudden vision problems like blurred, decreased or double vision.

c. Sudden severe migraine-like headaches. This may be accompanied by stiff neck, pain between the eyes, altered consciousness, facial pain or vomiting.

d. Sudden dizziness or loss of balance and coordination.

e. Severe confusion. This may include memory problems, perceptual disorientation and problems with spatial orientation.

f. Transient Ischemic Attack. This happens when there is an interruption of the flow of the blood in the brain. TIA is a symptom if there is a risk the stroke would develop into a full-blown one.

When stroke occurs, it is extremely important that the person experiencing the stroke symptoms seek immediate medical intervention. They cannot be shrugged away or ignored. It could cost you your life if you would ignore them.

"Am I having a Stroke?"
If you do not know if you are or someone else is experiencing stroke symptoms, you should try the FAST test. Here are the steps on doing the FAST test:

a. Face. Ask the person experiencing the symptoms to smile. If one side of his face droops or drops, he could be experiencing a symptom.

b. Arms. Ask the person to raise their arms. If he has difficulty raising his arm upright and the arm tends to drop, this is a sign that this might be a stroke symptom.

c. Speech. Ask the person to repeat a sentence. If he has difficulty speaking and pronouncing the words clearly, he might be suffering from stroke.

d. Time. Call for medical help immediately. The minute the person exhibits any of the stroke symptoms, it is very important that you immediately call for help. A few minutes could mean his life.

The Summary of Appendicitis Causes

Generally, if physicians are asked, What are the causes of appendicitis?  Most of them would answer that there is no exact reason for appendicitis.  However, several theories have been forwarded.

Some Causes of Appendicitis
Appendicitis is basically the condition wherein the appendix becomes inflamed.  Some people believe that the causes of appendicitis relate to the colonization of microorganisms in the appendix.  Another probably cause for appendicitis maybe attributed to blockage in the organ which reduces or limits blood supply to the appendix.  This could lead to perforation resulting to huge pus formation in the appendix.  This is why symptoms of appendicitis should not be ignored.

Other Probably Causes of Appendicitis
Aside from the alre ady mentioned probably causes, there are still other probable causes of appendicitis.  These include:

1) Secretion of abundant amount of mucus.  For some unknown reasons, the appendix could secrete mucus into the lumen.  This mucus combined with cells from the lining of the appendix walls can create a thick substance which results to lumen blockage.

2) Faecolith.  Unfortunately, feces could get into the appendixâ?T lumen.  This hardens and eventually creates a blockage which reduces the blood supply in the appendix.  This also blocks additional feces from passing through the lumen.  This eventually results to appendicitis.  To counteract this, people are advised to drink plenty of fluids and to eat foods that are rich in fiber.

3) Worms.  This is another cause of appendicitis.  This is not common though in the United States or other Western countries; however, worms are fairly common in third world countr ies.  These worms can block the lumen.  This reduces the blood supply to the organ; and this eventually results to appendicitis.  This may be blamed to the absence of adequate sanitary facilities in third-world countries.

4) Tumor.  This is a rare cause of appendicitis.  However, if it happens, it seems to occur more often on elderly people.  The typical tumor associated with appendicitis is the Characinoid tumor.

5) Swollen glands from bacterial or viral infections  It might come to you as a surprise but common colds or infections that people may typically shrugged off could actually cause appendicitis.  The wall of the appendix may become swollen.  This eventually leads into lumen blockage.  This is probably why people would often get appendicitis in winter or when itâ?Ts cold.

6) Genetics.  You can never disregard genetics play on people passing on or acquiring their parentâ?Ts diseases.

7) Diet-induced.  Physicians have noticed that patients whose diet consists mainly of high fiber foods are typically safe from developing diagnosis.  There arises the belief that constipation, which may eventually cause appendicitis, may be diet related.

Oftentimes, a blockage in the appendix would eventually cause appendicitis.  If this inflammation continues without treatment, the appendix may perforate or rupture.  This is the reason why doctors would advise that their patients undergo surgery before the appendix ruptures.

A ruptured appendix may cause peritonitis, a life-threatening infection.  If the bacteria from the ruptured appendix flow into the vagina, this could cause sepsis.

The Complete Appendix Overview

Everyone has an appendix; although not everyone can agree if the organ has any used.  It is one of the organs in the body that can be removed without affecting the bodyâ?Ts well being.  The ironic thing about the appendix though is that the body will do fine even without an appendix, but a person suffering from appendicitis could die if the appendix is not removed.  The appendix has no scientific use but it could be fatal if it is diseased.

What is Appendicitis?
Appendicitis is a condition arising from the inflammation of the appendix for no apparent reason.  This condition can happen to anyone regardless of age.  It can even happen to children as young as two years old; although it is rarely seen in infants.  Largely though, this disease is fairly common among individuals aged 10 to 30.  Often, when children suffer from severe abdominal pain, the most likely culprit is appendicitis.

Sympt oms of Appendicitis
The most common symptom of appendicitis is abdominal pain.  The pain is oftentimes excruciating and debilitating.  Other symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, abdominal swelling, slight fever, difficulty to pass gas, dull rectal or back pain, painful urination, vomiting, abdominal cramps, severe constipation and diarrhea.

Symptoms of appendicitis actually vary; although people experience some of the symptoms but not all.  However, signs of appendicitis always take the classic pattern.  Often painful symptoms are relieved when the person suffering from appendicitis would lie on his side with his knees towards his chest.  However, the only way to really relieve yourself from a painful appendix is to have the organ removed.

Cause s of Appendicitis
Often, doctors do not have explanations why appendicitis occurs.  However, there are people who believe that a perforated appendicitis could be caused by hardened stools that are struck in the appendix.

Diagnosing Appendicitis
Basically, the physician would subject the patient to a physical examination.  This includes pressing the abdomen and sometimes, inserting a finger on the patientâ?Ts anus.  Women may be subjected to vaginal examination as well.  Medical history is taken from the patient and vital stats are taken.  The doctor would recommend that the patient undergo some blood and urine tests.  Unfortunately, there is no actual test that would definitely determine appendicitis.  

Treatment of Appendicitis
Basically, the patient would have to undergo an appendectomy.  The recommendation of the physician for appendectomy would be based on his observation and examination of the patient.  Unfortunately, since it is difficult to diagnose appendicitis with certainty, doctors would end up operating on a patient with a normal appendix.  There are so many diseases that can cause symptoms similar to appendicitis.

In cases where the condition is not serious, the patient may be required to stay in the hospital for a couple of days without requiring the patient to undergo surgery.  Once the patient feels relatively better with normal temperature and bowel movement, he may be discharged to recuperate at home.  He may be able to go back to his daily routines in a matter of weeks.