EMS Warnings Signs of Stroke Awareness

By: Jane Beckham

The emergency medical services (EMS) are training their paramedics to better understand the early warning signs of a stroke, in order that they are better able to support stroke victims across the country. Chances of stroke recovery can be greatly enhanced the quicker the victim receives treatment.

The Emergency Medical Services has introduced a number of changes through improved education, increased awareness of paramedics and studies of stroke care throughout the country.

The more common warning signs of a stroke include the following symptoms:

A sudden and unexplained weakness or numb feeling in the face, all down one side of the body, or in one arm or leg.

Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye.

Loss of speech, trouble talking or trouble understanding speech. Many stroke victims say they know something is happening but are unable to get the words out to tell anyone or that when they do speak, it is mumbled and undistinguishable as speech.

Sudden severe headaches with no apparent cause.

An unsteady sensation, or dizziness, or even inability to stand, especially if experiencing any of the other stroke symptoms as well.

Fortunately, the EMS is being packaged as a complete support system, which will ultimately lead to a better response and increased chance of recovery for all stroke victims. The package includes roles at all levels of support from medical researchers, through to the people handling the emergency calls and the medical dispatchers and paramedics.

Recent studies and surveys have discovered that on average, a person who had experienced a stroke waited 2 hours before calling for help. Reducing this time is vital to increasing the odds of recovering from a stroke, and that is one of the main focus points in educating people about the signs of stroke and its symptoms.

When the call for assistance arrives at the emergency communication center, the emergency medical dispatchers have updated protocols for dealing with stroke patients, and paramedics on the scene now have specific stroke protocols to follow when attending patients.

Paramedics are usually first on the scene, and they are able to administer treatments and support on the scene and on route to the medical department at the hospital. They can liaise with doctors and medical staff to ensure a smooth handover once the patient reaches them.

The odds of stroke recovery and even survival decrease the longer it takes to get a patient the necessary medical treatment they need. And with the rate of stroke attacks increasing every year, it's vital that we all understand the signs of stroke and are better able to help someone should we ever find ourselves in that situation.

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Jane Beckham helps people through stroke rehab. Here she explains why identifying the warning signs of stroke are crucial for best chance of stroke recovery. Find her site at Stroke Recovery

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