Stroke Quiz

Question 1: A ‘non-medical’ person can detect stroke symptoms. True or false?
Answer 1: True. It is true that some strokes have symptoms that a common person would miss, but most kinds of strokes have very easily detectible symptoms and signs For example: motor or sensory hemiparesis. Symptoms include one-sided weakness in the body, difficulty in speaking or understanding what has been said to them, confusion, altered sensorium ranging from confused state, drowsiness to unconsciousness. Most patients develop these symptoms suddenly.

Question 2: There is only one type of stroke. True or false?
Answer 2: False. A stroke could occur due to multiple causes. In general, there are three basic types of strokes.

• Ischemic stroke: This happens when there is an interruption in the flow of blood to a part of the brain. There are numerous causes for this. The main cause amongst these is atherosclerosis (arteriosclerotic vascular disease or ASVD is due to the development and deposition of fat and cholesterol in the blood vessels).
• Hemorrhagic stroke: This develops when one of the blood vessels ruptures at a weak spot and bleeds into the brain. This also happens due to many reasons.
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA) or a ‘mini stroke’: This develops due to an interruption in the blood flow for a short duration of time. There is no permanent brain damage. It acts more like a warning sign.

Question 3: Anybody can develop a stroke. There is nothing one can do to prevent it. True or false?
Answer 3: False. There are many known risk factors. The presence of these risk factors makes one prone to a stroke. While it is true that some of these factors cannot be controlled (E.g. age, gender etc), other factor can be treated or avoided (E.g. hypertension, diabetes, smoking etc). By improving one’s habits and their general condition, one can indeed do something to prevent the occurrence of a stroke.

Question 4: There is no treatment for stroke. True or false?
Answer 4: False. According to a previously known concept it was believed that a stroke cannot be treated; that is not quite true. There is an initial period which the doctors call the ‘golden period’. This period is the first three hours immediately after the occurrence of a stroke. When a patient has an ischemic stroke, if recognized by surrounding members of family or friends, they should be rushed to a nearby hospital with stroke care facility immediately. If all other factors are in favor of the patient, a medicine can be given which improves the prognosis of the patient drastically.
In patients with intracranial haemorrhage, there is always a surgical option available.

Question 5: A person showing symptoms of developing a stroke can be helped to prevent any future occurrence. True or false?
Answer 5: True. Most people don’t recognize a stroke when they see one. Those who do recognize are confused about what is to be done. However, the fact remains that a patient showing symptoms of developing a stroke can be helped. A stroke or a brain attack is a medical emergency.

• The first thing to be done is call an ambulance
• Inform the staff that you suspect the patient to have undergone a stroke.
• Every minute counts as soon as the stroke develops. The golden period is three hours, and the clock starts ticking the minute the stroke symptoms occur.
• Never ignore the signs that are observed, even if symptoms are mild or temporary.
• Make a note of the time of the occurrence. The treating doctor will want to know the exact time when the incident started happening.

Besides, it would be a good idea to let the patient lie down. If possible, get his vitals noted. If a doctor is available in the surrounding vicinity, call him/her.
DO NOT PANIC.

Question 6: Irrespective of the treatment given to heal a stroke, the patient will never be the same again. True or false?
Answer 6: False. If the patient is taken to the hospital within the first 3 hours for an ischemic stroke and the patient is fit to be given the prescribed medication, the chances of the patient recovering very well are pretty high. Sometimes even 100% recovery is recorded. If the patient has had a hemorrhagic stroke, the prognosis may still be good. The recovery time is usually long for patients who have not been able to reach the hospital before the end of the golden period; or in those patients to whom the medication could not be given in time.
Therefore, always know which hospital has facilities to care for a stroke in your neighbourhood. Find out which hospital or medical facility is closest to your home or work.

Your score:
1-2 correct answers: You need to know more.
3-4 correct answers: A little more is what you should know.
5-6 correct answers: Stay updated. You may save a life someday.