In France, a person has a stroke every 4 minutes. To increase your chances of survival and recovery, you must act quickly. Charlotte Cordonnier, professor of neurology at the University Hospital of Lille, sheds light on the symptoms that should warn us.
Every fourth person over the age of 25 will suffer a stroke at some point in their life. Around 150,000 people fall victim to it each year in France, which is more than one stroke every four minutes. Despite advances in medicine, these numbers continue to rise. “This is explained by the aging of the population and the increase in the number of cases in young subjects, probably linked to lifestyle modifications and exposure to pollution,” explains researcher Charlotte Cordonnier, professor of neurology at the University Hospital of Lille. at Inserm and coordinator of the national research network F.CRIN.
A stroke most often occurs when a clot blocks blood flow and blocks an artery (ischemic stroke) or when an artery ruptures (hemorrhagic stroke). If 30% of patients die in the year following a stroke and 70% have disabling consequences, it is not inevitable. On the occasion of World Stroke Day, October 29, Yahoo takes stock of the symptoms that should lead to a trip to the hospital as soon as possible.
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Main symptoms of a stroke
A stroke is manifested by neurological symptoms, the onset of which is sudden. “This notion of brutality is very important because in 80% of cases, strokes are painless,” explains Professor Charlotte Cordonnier. The absence of pain leads some patients to not react immediately. Incorrectly.
The main symptoms of a stroke are “a sudden onset of heaviness in an arm or leg, difficulty speaking, and a sudden loss of vision in one eye,” according to the doctor. Even if they last only 5 minutes, these symptoms must indicate a stroke. Other symptoms such as an intense headache, loss of balance, difficulty understanding the person you are talking to, or numbness in the face are warning signs of a stroke.
Sometimes the symptoms may go away. “Transient deficits that spontaneously recover within a few minutes are generally warning signs that need to be taken very seriously, because they can be followed by another accident that leaves consequences,” warns Professor Cordonnier. This is called a mini stroke or transient ischemic attack.
Different stroke symptoms in women and children?
Stroke is the leading cause of death for women in France. “It is often said that stroke symptoms are unconventional in women. I believe in particular that women express them in a different way and minimize them,” notes Charlotte Cordonnier. American data showed that compared to men, women are very familiar with the symptoms that indicate a stroke. They are very quick to call for help when it affects someone around them, but delay calling when it directly affects them”.
Stroke symptoms can also occur in children, teenagers, and young adults. Diagnosis is difficult, especially in the smallest ones who are unable to express what they feel. “Any sudden change in behavior must be worrying,” summarizes the specialist. While in adults a stroke is most often caused by the accumulation of cholesterol deposits on the walls of the arteries or heart disease, in children the cause is more likely cracks in the blood vessels or rare genetic diseases.
Call 15 as soon as one or more symptoms of a stroke appear
As soon as one or more symptoms appear, it is necessary to call Sam (15) as soon as possible so that he can be directed to the right place as quickly as possible. While waiting for help, “you shouldn’t give food or drink and let the person lie down,” advises Charlotte Cordonnier.
Prompt care helps to limit the consequences and quickly set up treatment. “For example, if we manage to treat patients within 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms of an ischemic stroke with intravenous thrombolysis or intra-arterial navigation to capture the clot, 40% of patients will leave the hospital ‘with no sequelae’. , the doctor notes. A good reason to alert those around you of the symptoms of a stroke and to react as quickly as possible when one of them appears.
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