A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blood vessel becomes blocked or ruptures, interrupting blood flow to the brain. When the brain is deprived of sufficient oxygen from the blood, nerve cells begin to damage within minutes.
Early treatment helps reduce brain damage and limit sequelae, especially in ischemic stroke caused by blood clots. This is because some treatments are only effective for a limited time, according to the UK health website Medical News Today.
Stroke victims may have impaired swallowing ability, so they should not be given water to drink as it can easily cause choking. PHOTO: Created by Gemini by N. Quy
However, when they see a loved one exhibiting symptoms such as facial asymmetry, difficulty speaking, weakness in the limbs, or sudden loss of balance, many people react instinctively or based on folk remedies. Some seemingly harmless actions, such as letting the patient rest or giving them medication, can delay treatment.
Here are things you shouldn't do if you suspect someone is having a stroke:
Do not give aspirin or other medications without consulting a doctor.
Some people believe that aspirin, because it thins the blood, will help when a stroke is suspected. This is a dangerous misconception because not all strokes are caused by blood clots. cause.
The American Stroke Association states that strokes can occur due to blockages in the brain's blood vessels or brain hemorrhages. If a patient is experiencing a brain hemorrhage, taking aspirin can worsen the bleeding. In addition to aspirin, patients should not be given blood pressure medication, cold medicine, or any home remedies without a doctor's prescription.
Do not give the patient food or drink.
Stroke victims may have impaired swallowing ability due to damage to the brain region that controls the throat and airways. Therefore, giving them water, milk, or porridge while waiting for emergency services can increase the risk of choking. If the patient vomits, they should be placed on their side to reduce the risk of aspirating vomit into the lungs.
Do not let the patient go to sleep or be alone.
Some people see patients feeling tired or complaining of headaches and think that letting them sleep for a while will help their bodies recover. In reality, this could be the time when brain damage is progressing to a more severe stage.
If the patient is asleep or alone, family members may not realize when symptoms worsen, such as loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, or more severe paralysis. This also increases the risk of missing crucial treatment time.
Don't try cupping therapy, acupuncture, or folk remedies.
In some cases, when a patient suddenly experiences facial paralysis or weakness in their limbs, family members may consider scraping the skin, acupressure, finger pricking, or other folk remedies.
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that these measures can reverse a stroke, and more importantly, they waste time on emergency care. With stroke, every minute counts because millions of brain cells can be damaged every minute if blood flow is not restored, according to Medical News Today.