posted
Just came across this short article. Thought I would pass it on as it can effect ALL of us.
RECOGNIZING A STROKE — A true story
So simple — This literally saved Susie's life — Susie is recouping at an incredible pace for someone with a massive stroke all because Sherry saw Susie stumble, (that is the key that isn't mentioned below) and then she asked Susie the three questions. Some angel sent it to Suzie's friend and they did just what it said to do. Suzie failed all three questions, so 911 was called. Even though she had normal blood pressure readings and did not appear to have had a stroke, as she could converse to some extent with the Paramedics, they took her to the hospital right away.
Read and Learn! Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
1. Ask the individual to SMILE.
2. Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
3. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE.
If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions.
They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last February.
Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.
A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people, you can bet that at least one life will be saved.
I certainly hope you can remember this in case it is ever needed...and please pass it on. Stroke is a major killer of humans...especially in these hectic times.
Love and Light
Jackson
-------------------- Jackson Smart Jackson's Signs Port Angeles, WA ...."The Straits of Juan De Fuca in my front yard and Olympic National Park in my backyard...
"Living on Earth is expensive...but it does include a free trip around the Sun" Posts: 1000 | From: Port Angeles, Washington | Registered: Jan 1999
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Great advice, but as I found out a little over five years ago, it only covers the most common type of stroke, the one that affects the person physically. My father suffered two strokes on December 31, 1999 (remember as kids how we always wondered where we would be when it turned 2000? I was in a hospital with my dad.) that affected him mentally and not physically. There were no physical signs of a stroke. I was with him in the emergency room for 20 minutes before I figured out that there was something wrong with him. He seemed fine until he asked me what his mom and dad were doing that day. They died in 1986 and 1994 respectively. The hospital didn't even diagnose it correctly the first time. After that it became a menagerie of nonsense, not remembering, and inability to think clearly. He has been in assisted living since and in January had to be moved to skilled care due to the progression of Dementia and Alzheimers. My brother-in-law had a stroke in the late 90s at the age of 32. His was the more common physical type and these three tests might have diagnosed his stroke quicker than it was.
-------------------- Dana Blair Blair Signs Wooster, OH www.blairsigns.com
If sign makers go on strike, is there anything written on their picket signs? Posts: 835 | From: Wooster, OH, USA | Registered: Jul 1999
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i have had 12 strokes and let me tell you a sign the dr. did not reconize. vomiting and can't stop. it affected my balance and my right side. i am in a wheel chair and type with 1 finger on my left hand.
-------------------- Jimmy Chatham Chatham Signs 468 stark st Commerce, Ga 30529 Posts: 1766 | From: Commerce, GA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Wow. How far apart were the strokes, Jimmy?
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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first 2 were a year apart the thirg one was 8 months later then they got closer last one about 2 months ago.
-------------------- Jimmy Chatham Chatham Signs 468 stark st Commerce, Ga 30529 Posts: 1766 | From: Commerce, GA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Let me take a crack at your question, Lotti--
As I recall from my days---and nights--- lots of nights--- in the ER, there are two types of strokes.
One is caused by a clot forming in a cerebral or carotid artery, and it starves brain tissue downstream supplied by said artery. Treatment used to be a "blood thinner." Nowadays, I don't know---too long away from the field.
The other is caused by a vessel--usually an artery-- breaking open and leaking blood into the nearby area, and starving that area because leaking blood is non-circulating and deteriorates rapidly. Treatment there may be done with a coagulant and or surgery. Most likely surgery. (Coagulant is a blood thickener--sort of.)
Bleeds are further broken down according to where in the brain they occur. Epidural--is outside the surrounding lining of the brain and under the skull. Usually caused by an injury. Subdural--under the outer lining of the brain, but outside the arachnoid layer or tissue. Subarachnoid--under the arachnoid layer, and directly into brain tissue--and of the three probably the toughest to treat, and does the most damage.
The type of stroke has to be determined by some form of x-ray, CT, or MRI, or maybe a PET scan. Treatment is according to the type and location.
Sorry to be practicing medicine again---but the question was raised.
bill preston
Edited to add--
There is also what some call a mini-stroke or TIA. All that means is Transient Ischemic Attack. What happens there is that for some reason, an artery will spasm or clamp down and restrict blood flow to some portion of brain tissue. These will often self correct, but if the time element is too long then tissue starvation and damage occurs.
[ April 05, 2005, 02:55 PM: Message edited by: Bill Preston ]
-------------------- Bill Preston Fly Creek, N.Y. USA Posts: 943 | From: Fly Creek, N.Y. USA | Registered: Jan 2000
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Stroke, or CVA (cerebrovascular accident) are caused by: Thrombosis, a blockage of an artery Aneurysm, rupture of an artery Embolism, air bubble in the bloodstream
In addition to the warning signs already listed, other S&S to look for: -Dizziness/Confusion -Impaired speech -Impairment or numbness affecting one side of the body or face -Headache -Unequal pupil size -Nausea/vomiting -Irregular breathing
Keep in mind, that some people may only have mild, passing symptoms. These Transient Ischemic Attacks are a warning of impending stroke, and should be checked out forthwith.
-------------------- Steve Purcell Purcell Woodcarving & Signmaking Cape Cod, MA
************************** Intelligent Design Is No Accident Posts: 900 | From: Cape Cod, MA | Registered: Oct 1999
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