“Age is just a number. Your health is what matters.”
This is the wisdom the 27-year-old Collin Brunsdon of the Stellenbosch area shared as World Stroke Day was commemorated on Tuesday (29 October).
The first time he learnt about a stroke was when he experienced it in June.
“My fiancé and I were talking. She said I started mumbling. When I got up I felt something was not right and I fell,” Brunsdon recalled.
“I knew nothing about strokes. This was a very steep learning curve! Things changed so quickly. I went from being very independent to having to ask everyone to help me do things. It has been very hard.”
Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide and, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa, 10 people are affected by a stroke each hour.
It occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked or reduced. There could also be bleeding in the brain.
The provincial Department of Health and Wellness urged residents to get medical help quickly when they recognise the warning signs, and to work with health-care workers on the journey to recovery.
Warning Signs
Remember this acronym to help you recognise the sudden signs of a stroke: Be Fast.
B: suddenly having difficulty to balance;
E: if your eyes struggle to focus or you have double vision;
F: face drooping on one side;
A: arm weakness (weakness usually in the arm and leg on one side of your body);
S: difficulty speaking; and
T: timeous action – go to a hospital immediately or call the ambulance service on 10177.
The sooner you get to a hospital, the better your chances of recovery. When a stroke patient has been stabilised the journey to regain function and independence begins.
“Because a stroke happens in your brain you can experience the impact of the stroke in multiple parts of your body,” said Demi Alexander, an occupational therapist at Stellenbosch Hospital’s rehabilitation centre.
“This means you will need intervention by a range of experts.”
What to expect during recovery
Each person’s situation and needs are unique.
You could be discharged from hospital, and be: . transferred for inpatient support at a facility like a hospice;. receive home visits for support; or. receive out-patient support by appointment at a hospital.
During recovery you may need the support of such experts as a speech therapist, who will evaluate your ability to swallow and communicate. A dietician can provide guidance on your nutritional needs and educate family members about healthy eating.
A physiotherapist will give practical guidance on movements such as safely sitting up and determining what exercises the patient should do to improve their strength, balance and coordination.
“If you want to make progress, do the exercises the team gives you, even if it seems too ‘simple’ to you,” urged Brunsdon. “There is a reason for your having to do that exercise.”
Proactive steps to reduce risk of stroke
When it comes to your risk of having a stroke some factors are beyond your control. If you have a family history of stroke or if you had a stroke, you are at greater risk of having a stroke. Your risk of having a stroke is also greater if you are overweight, smoke or drink excessive amounts of alcohol.
Here are three tips to reduce your risk of having a stroke:
- Find efficient ways to manage stress. Stress can cause us to overeat or to have difficulty sleeping. By managing your stress better, you will be less prone to other habits that can increase your risk of having a stroke. Examples of how you can manage your stress more efficiently is learning to say no when you feel overwhelmed, or to ask for help.
- Add exercise to your daily routine. Exercise gives you a positive way to ease stress and it will help you to maintain a healthy body weight.
- Commit to making better choices. Get the support you need to quit smoking.
- Keep your intake of alcohol to a minimum.
