Strokes

 

A stroke is the third most common cause of death in UK. It most affects people over 65, and can be totally unexpected.

The Stroke Association website,  www.stroke.org.uk , gives information on what a stroke is, how to prevent it, what happens if you have a stroke and action to be taken after a stroke. A stroke can have a devastating effect on an individual and their families, and the Stroke Association website aims to inform you of the people and services that can help you, not least the need to counteract the isolation from everyday life that a stroke victim can feel when suddenly and completely unexpectedly struck down.

RM writes:

I was sent this which is probably something everyone should know:-

STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Steps

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a party, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food - while she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00pm , Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the party. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some ?don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.
It only takes a minute to read this...


A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke... totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.



RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Thank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps, STR . Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe 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:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE .
T *Ask the person to TALK , to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently: It is sunny out today.)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.


{NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue... if the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke}


If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency services immediately and describe the symptoms. This is URGENT


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.