Recognizing Stroke Symptoms

Health Tip: STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters...

S.T.R!

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A newsletter reader sent this to us and encouraged us to post it and spread the word. RV Education 101 thinks this is worthwhile to post. If everyone can remember something this simple, some lives could possibly be saved.

During a BBQ, a lady stumbled and took a little fall - people offered to call paramedics but she assured everyone that she was fine and had 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 6:00 pm, Ingrid passed away. She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. 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.

The most promising treatment for Ischemic stroke ( treated by removing obstruction and restoring blood flow to the brain.) is the FDA-approved clot-busting drug tPA, which must be administered within a three-hour window from the onset of symptoms to work best. Generally, only 3 to 5 percent of those who suffer a stroke reach the hospital in time to be considered for this treatment. The trick is getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

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) (i.e. . . It is sunny out today)
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

NOTE:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

Make sure the people you care about learn to recognize a stroke and act quickly. Send the warning signs to someone you care about today.