SeGeRa Ke RS & FAST, the first way to recognize Stroke

Symptoms and signs of stroke are often made into practical abbreviations that make it easier for people to recognize stroke in order to get or seek stroke treatment as soon as possible. Among the slogans used are:

• Immediately Go to Hospital

1. Asymmetrical smile (turned to one side), choking, sudden difficulty swallowing drinking water
2. The movement of half of the body's limbs suddenly weakens
3. Speaks slurred/suddenly can't speak/can't understand words/speaks incoherently
4. Numbness or numbness, or tingling in half of the body
5. Myopia in one eye occurs suddenly
6. Sudden severe headache, never experienced before. Balance disorders such as a feeling of spinning, tremors, shaking/staggering.

• FAST

1. Face: the face is not symmetrical, one side is down
2. Arms: one side of a limb such as a hand or leg has decreased strength
3. Speech: the ability to speak is impaired
4. Time: when these symptoms appear, immediately take them to the nearest hospital to get help

Supporting examinations are needed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the causes and risk factors so that optimal treatment can be carried out, including:

• Brain imaging - A non-contrast CT scan or MRI of the brain can be performed. This examination aims to determine the type of stroke, as well as determine the location or extent of brain tissue that has been damaged.
• Blood tests - Aims to find out comorbid factors that cause stroke such as high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and to find out any contraindications to stroke therapy such as thrombocytopenia
• Electrocardiography - To determine the electrical activity in the heart organ, so that the cause of cardioembolism can be identified or there are indications of coronary heart disease along with stroke
• Echocardiography - This examination is not routinely performed, especially indicated for patients with suspected heart disease such as congestive heart disease or contraction disorders.

It is important to recognize the symptoms of stroke early so that you can receive stroke examination and treatment quickly and appropriately. Stroke treatment consists of general treatment and depends on the type of stroke.

• Treatment of ischemic stroke - Requires reperfusion treatment to be carried out as quickly as possible. Reperfusion with alteplase should be given within less than 6 hours of the initial onset of stroke symptoms. Anti-blockage medication is given according to the underlying cause.
• Treatment of hemorrhagic stroke - Hemorrhagic stroke consists of treatment to stop bleeding by reducing blood pressure, correcting coagulopathy and reducing intracranial pressure by administering mannitol to surgery.

General stroke management consists of managing other diseases such as hypertension, DM, dyslipidemia with the aim of preventing recurrent strokes. Disability or weakness of limbs after a stroke must be treated immediately after blood pressure is stable and the acute period of the stroke has passed. Exercise or rehabilitation as early and as often as possible can speed up recovery of limb function, speech or swallowing function, and prevent permanent disability.

Stroke prevention

1. Control blood pressure regularly
2. Control blood sugar
3. Keep the diet
4. Strive for physical activity and exercise
5. Avoid cigarettes and alcohol

Don't let health problems, especially stroke, disrupt your productivity. For Hermina friends who need further information about stroke, you can consult with a neurologist at Hermina Hospital Manado and if someone in your family experiences a stroke, immediately rush to the hospital by calling the SPGDT service at Hermina Hospital Manado. Hopefully this information can be useful