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Strokesaurus

Word Definition

SBP

Systolic blood pressure
Systolic blood pressure

Secondary care

Care provided in hospital.
Secondary care is a type of health care. 

It is when you go to hospital.

Seizure

Uncontrolled movements or change in behaviour caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
A seizure is when you lose control of your muscles. 

Your body shakes.

SES

Standardised effect size
Standardised effect size

SGA

Subjective global assessment
Subjective global assessment

Shoulder subluxation

Weakness or low tone may allow the top of your arm to drop out of the shoulder socket slightly. This makes arm movements difficult and can be painful.
Shoulder subluxation is a problem with your shoulder. 

If your shoulder is weak, your arm can drop out of your shoulder socket slightly. 

This can be painful. 

It can make it difficult to move your arm.

sICH

symptomatic  intracranial haemorrhage
symptomatic  intracranial haemorrhage

Sickle cell disease

A blood disease that  causes the red blood cells to get stuck in the arteries and therefore can cause strokes.
Sickle cell disease is a blood disease. 

It causes red blood cells to get stuck in your arteries. 

This can cause strokes.

SMD

Standardised mean difference
Standardised mean difference

Social worker

A social worker can help to manage the emotional, social and financial impact of stroke. They can help plan for life after stroke.
A social worker is a type of health worker. 

When you have a stroke, a social worker can help you with: 
  • Emotions
  • Relationships 
  • Finances
  • Help at home

They can help you plan for life after stroke.

Spasticity

Also known as hypertonia. High muscle tone where the affected muscles are stiff or tight.
Spasticity is when your muscles are stiff or tight. 

It is also called hypotonia.

Speech pathologist

A speech pathologist can assess someone to see if they can swallow safely after a stroke. Speech pathologists will also help if you have trouble speaking or understanding what is said to you.
A speech pathologist is a type of health worker. 

They can help you if you have problems swallowing. 

They can also help you if you have trouble speaking or understanding what people say to you.

SSS

Scandinavian stroke scale
Scandinavian stroke scale

Standard alcoholic drink

An alcoholic drink that contains 10 grams of alcohol. This is the amount of alcohol a healthy liver can break down in an hour. Approximately equal to one pot (also known as a middy) (10 oz or 285 ml glass) of full strength beer, one glass (100 ml) of table wine or one nip (30 ml) of spirits.
A standard alcoholic drink contains 10 grams of alcohol. 

This is the amount of alcohol that a healthy liver can break down in an hour. 

It is about one pot (or middy) (285 ml) of beer. 

It is about one glass (100 ml) of wine. 

It is about one nip (30 ml) of spirits.

Statin

A drug used to reduce cholesterol levels.
Statin is a type of medicine. 

It is used to reduce your cholesterol level.

Stem cell therapy

Treatment in which stem cells are used to treat specific cell types in order to repair damaged or destroyed cells or tissues.
Stem cell therapy is a type of medical treatment. 

Stem cells are special kinds of cells. 

They can repair damaged or dead cells or tissues.

Stenosis

Narrowing of an artery due to the buildup of plaque on the inside wall of the artery.
Stenosis is when an artery gets narrower. 

Plaque builds up on the inside wall. 

This makes is harder for blood to flow.

Stent

A short tube of stainless steel mesh, inserted at the part of the artery which is to be widened by angioplasty.
A stent is used in surgery. 

It is a short tube of stainless steel mesh. 

The doctor will put it into an artery. 

It widens the artery. 

It is used in an operation called angioplasty.

Stroke

A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. Blood is carried to the brain by blood vessels called arteries. Blood contains oxygen and important nutrients for your brain cells. Blood may be interrupted or stop moving through an artery because the artery is blocked (ischaemic stroke) or bursts (haemmorhagic stroke). When brain cells do not get enough oxygen or nutrients, they die.

A stroke happens when blood can’t get to your brain.

Your brain is fed by blood vessels called arteries. 

Blood contains oxygen and food for your brain cells.

Sometimes an artery is blocked or bursts. 

The blood can’t get through to your brain cells. 

If your brain cells do not get enough oxygen, they die.

Stroke support group

A group of stroke survivors and carers who meet regularly and provide information and support to each other.
A stroke support group is a group of people who have had a stroke. 

The group meets regularly to share information and help each other.

Stroke unit

A set area in a hospital where a specialised stroke team look after people.
A stroke unit is a special area in a hospital. 

It looks after people who have had a stroke.

Subarachnoid haemorrhage

A type of haemorrhagic stroke where there is bleeding over the surface of the brain.
A subarachnoid haemorrhage is a type of stroke. 

It happens when there is bleeding on the surface of the brain.

Subluxation

Incomplete or partial dislocation of a bone in a joint.
Subluxation is when a bone starts to come away from the joint. 

It is a form of dislocation.

Systematic review

Systematic reviews summarise all the research that has been done on a given topic, so that health professionals, patients and policy-makers can make evidence-based decisions.

Systematic reviews summarise all the research that has been done on a given topic, so that health professionals, patients and policy-makers can make evidence-based decisions.