Picture
A Stroke
Stroke affects 700,000 people every year and 160,000 Americans die of stroke each year.  Brain cells need oxygen and nutrients to work properly. This nourishment is provided from blood flowing through vessels in the brain. When one of these vessels becomes clogged by a clot, or breaks open, the blood flow is suddenly stopped and the brain cells die. This is a stroke. Stroke is the sudden stoppage of blood flow to the brain.

STROKE:
Remember The 1st Three Letters... S.T.R ...


My friend sent this to me and encouraged me to post it and spread the word. I agree. If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks.


STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a
party, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. (they offered to call ambulance)

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...

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
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

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 * = TALK. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE(Coherently) (eg 'It is sunny out today').
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS .

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

NOTE
: Another 'sign' of a stroke is

1.
 Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue.
2.
If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.

STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY
CALL 9-1-1    
                             

Types of Strokes
• Ischemic stroke                           
When the blood flow to brain    
is blocked.
• Hemorrhagic stroke
When there is bleeding into or around the brain
.

Stroke is an acute and serious condition that requires
Immediate Treatment:
• Emergency room treatment
• Medications
• Neuroendovascular intervention
• Surgery

Long-Term Treatment
Treatment for depression:
• Physical therapy
• Speech therapy
• Control of incontinence
• Provide a safe environment

Alterative forms of communication
• In-home care, adult day care or convalescent home
• Family counseling
• Legal advice such as power of attorney

Prognosis
• Stroke is the third leading cause of death in developed countries
• About one-fourth of patients die as a result of stroke or its complications
• About one-half have long-term disabilities
• About one-fourth recover most or all functions