| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 10/11/2007 6:49:25 PM | 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.
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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) (I.e. It is sunny out today)
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
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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 911 immediately !! and describe the
symptoms to the dispatcher.
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| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 10/11/2007 8:40:12 PM | and.. the point of your thread is??? ironically... in this advanced technological age.. neurologists and the rest of the practicing medical profession still know very little about the BRAIN! Saving ya is one thing... improving your quality of life AFTER.. is quite another... Me thinks yer addressing plan 'ole First Aid here.. not something thread worthy... ??? | |
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| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 10/12/2007 4:08:11 AM | Gee... did ya consider the possibility that the poster you are addressing HAS HAD A stroke and knows very well of what she says...!
Nope - you likely didn't - in fact you just proved my point (below) that most of America doesn't consider the possibility of a stroke happening to someone like me...
You might have considered THAT was the reason for my post, rather than bashing me and making a joke about caffeine.
Are you aware some states in our own country - have NOTHING in place (programs, agencies, groups) to assist a person post-stroke (unless you fit the criteria of a minor child or elderly person) ...
So, the great techniques that just saved your life are in place... kewl - that's a great thing...
But... Guess what? You survived only to discover that - OOPS! U R now completely chit outta luck... no help, no services available, no support groups, no transportation, no nothing... (i.e. social worker, home health care help, certain rehab, etc etc etc). Why? Because stroke doesn't happen to a healthy, fit, 40ish woman ... sure there are a miriad of services available if you are a kid or older...
I simply wanted to ask the OP what the point was of this thread.... not get bashed by a smart a! | |
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| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 10/12/2007 4:26:55 AM | | Strokes can be very nasty, or very mild depending on where the blockage occurs, how large an area of the brain is affected and how long that part is ischemic. With the current medications available, like the OP said, most of the damage can be reversed. It just depends on how fast they get diagnosed and treated. | |
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| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 10/12/2007 4:51:54 AM | | the last post is a pretty broad statement, once again, making the assumption that the OP is referring only to an ischemic stroke - which accounts for about 80% of all strokes in this country per year.... what about the other 20% - no.... NOT reversible...AT ALL.. | |
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| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 10/12/2007 5:33:51 AM | If I recall correctly, cellular death begins when blood flow/oxygen supply is cut off for 4 to 5 minutes. And once a nerve cell is gone, it's gone. And no amount of medication are going to bring them back.
The OP was just putting forward info on how to recognize the signs of a stroke, not the differences between a Thrombotic stroke as opposed to an Ischemic stroke. From a First Aid perspective, it's a moot point. But info on the signs of a stroke are valid and not everyone is aware of them. So, from a First Aid perspective, someone might find it helpful, and therefore a valid topic for the Health and Wellness forum.
Dontcha think? | |
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| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 10/12/2007 6:27:42 AM | Whirly,
Thrombotic and embolic strokes ARE Ischemic strokes, accounting for about 88% of all strokes occurring in the US annually. The other 2 types are Intracerebral or Subarachnoid hemorrhage. The statistics (even with immediate medical intervention) are still pretty scary regardless, prompting medical professionals to now begin referring to strokes as Brain Attacks, which is exactly what they are.
Annually, the U.S. incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage exceeds 30,000 people; 10-15% of whom will die before reaching the hospital and more than half of those will die within the first 30 days after rupture. Of those who survive 30 days, 50% will suffer some permanent neurological deficit.
22% men and 25% women die within 1 year of their first stroke, and 14% of those survivors will have another within 1 year. About 25% of stroke victims will have another within 5 years.
7.6% of ischemic strokes and 37.5% of hemorrhagic strokes result in death within 30 days.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) represents only about 7% of all strokes, it is the most deadly — with more than a 50% fatality rate. Of the 50% who survive, 37.5% will die within 30 days, and 15% of those survivors will suffer permanent disability.
Dontcha Think? Yes, I agree with you entirely that this thread belongs in the Health and Wellness Forum. It is an important topic from both a First Responder approach and so forth…. (btw - i am a SAH survivor)
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| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 10/12/2007 7:52:15 AM |
I agree with you entirely that this thread belongs in the Health and Wellness Forum. It is an important topic from both a First Responder approach and so forth….
me too.... I agree!
My mum was alone when she had her massive stroke. I wonder if I'd been there and had read the OP... would I have been a able to have helped her.
She was not discovered till at least a day later. I'd been with her on the Friday evening and taken her home... my next visit was not till the following Wednesday and neighbors had been alerted on the Tuesday by the chemist who expected her to pick up her prescription.
The initial care at the LGI was brilliant and the specialist very informative. She received initial therapy as soon as she recovered enough but sadly the follow up rehab never happened. I feel it was my poor choice of hospital.
Instead of being admitted into the stroke unit, she was taken to the elderly care ward and I didn't realize in time. The decision was taken out of my hands as the hospital was keen to keep their good record in order.
The level of improvement in her they told me later would reduce their stats.
In my opinion that was disgraceful. Any small improvement to a life is worth making however small and she would have been in the care of stroke trained staff.
On the elderly ward she digressed and because she was unable to speak, I would sometimes arrive to find her drink or yogurt just too far out of reach. She looked wonderful and the staff turnover was so great that people just assumed when she smiled back when they talked to her that she understood. My mum was such a loving lovely person and deserved better.
It was the very hot summer of 9/11 and the journey was a long one to see her.... I'd sometimes arrive mid morning and her mouth would be frothy she would be so dehydrated it was heart wrenching.
The staff nurse was on holiday when she was admitted and it took a long time to get proper help for her.
I had to buy a special chair and wheelchair because she would fall out of the stock hospital or nursing home ones. Had she been in a proper unit, they would have been provided.
Eventually she was moved to a wonderful nursing home where she improved so much she could stand and take her own weight.
The staff were amazing there and the food and drink too, oh yes, wine, beer anything they wanted. I used to spend all my days there with her till she went to bed. The atmosphere was like a holiday hotel but sadly the place had to close due to cut backs.... it's now a private flat complex.
I did manage to have her moved closer to my home but there were always problems... diet was one.... I had to bring in food for her... it was sometimes served up cold and again because of staff turnover... she may get eggs three or four days in a row.... I never saw fruit and fresh vegetables.... I did what I could as I was not allowed to have her home with me where I wanted her.
Strokes are not only something that happens to the elderly...... even children are at risk. | |
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| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 10/12/2007 4:06:34 PM | The message you are replying to:
Posted By: live2ridenh on 10/12/2007 6:08:11 AM
Subject: Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Message: Gee... did ya consider the possibility that the poster you are addressing HAS HAD A stroke and knows very well of what she says...!
Nope - you likely didn't - in fact you just proved my point (below) that most of America doesn't consider the possibility of a stroke happening to someone like me...
You might have considered THAT was the reason for my post, rather than bashing me and making a joke about caffeine.
Are you aware some states in our own country - have NOTHING in place (programs, agencies, groups) to assist a person post-stroke (unless you fit the criteria of a minor child or elderly person) ...
So, the great techniques that just saved your life are in place... kewl - that's a great thing...
But... Guess what? You survived only to discover that - OOPS! U R now completely chit outta luck... no help, no services available, no support groups, no transportation, no nothing... (i.e. social worker, home health care help, certain rehab, etc etc etc). Why? Because stroke doesn't happen to a healthy, fit, 40ish woman ... sure there are a miriad of services available if you are a kid or older...
I simply wanted to ask the OP what the point was of this thread.... not get bashed by a smart a!
No bashing here,
I totally agree that people that don't fit into a age group,of youth of elderly
are often very much alone.
Someone should address the issues of older women and men,
it seems they do get left out of compassion,
when they encounter any life problems.
Hope you recover,
the post was not first hand knowledge,
just hoped it would be helpful to someone. | |
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| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 10/12/2007 4:25:16 PM | Strokes are very serious. Anyone of any age can have them.
My late husband's health problems really kicked in when he had a stroke.
One question though about asking someone to smile to detect a stroke...
if the smile is crooked, does this mean the person might be having a stroke? | |
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| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 10/12/2007 7:54:21 PM | | @ OP.. a heartfelt thank-you for your response... but your end result is the real gift... you have taken a topic and put it out for everyone to know more about... a wonderful can 'o worms in my opinon... vios con dios!! | |
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| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 10/12/2007 8:00:51 PM | | @ Silver... sweet girl (forgive my familiarity).. you really touched me with your honest, loving, post regarding your mum... te amo! do not blame yourself for even onea heartbeat thinking, 'i shoulda..." cos, the truth is.. they don't send anyone thru.. with an 'instruction manual' if you get what i mean.. you know in your own heart and soul.. princess...and I am sorry you lost her ... for now... it is hard, i know.. i've lost both my parents... te amo... bravo! | |
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M.I.
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Joined: 2/2/2007
Msg: 15 | |
| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 10/13/2007 12:18:25 PM | ^^^ Confusion lies in why you would continue (or have started) to be an "Often" Smoker, regardless of what type of stroke you had, and why you would be so hard on the post to start with.
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| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 10/13/2007 12:47:48 PM | live2ridenh... I wanted so much to thank you for your words.... and tell you that I do know in my heart deep down and I do think you understand me very well... but just sometimes it's needed to be heard.
I would have said in a private mail but your restriction of US only wouldn't let me.... | |
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| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 10/13/2007 7:34:58 PM | Dear M.I.
Thanks for your quick judgement.. and oh so ever empathetic response... no.. i was not overweight, high-cholestrol, or otherwise.. as my medical professionals put it.. "it was n't anything you did or your lifestyle".. "you got hit by a mac truck!".. so put THAT IN YER PIPE AND SMOKE IT!.. walk in my shoes and then tell me 'you deserved it'.. ya know.. chit happens to EVERYBODY.. no matter.. whatsamatta? you think you got a free pass???? dream on... it's life kiddo... damn! | |
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| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 10/14/2007 11:10:31 PM | An associate at work saw some wonderful lights that shouldn't have been in her eyes and realized something serious was afoot. This happened yesturday morning.
I repeated told her how great it was that she acted so fast. Many of us would have just sat down for a while.
Other than this she had been having trouble with a hives type of thing on her arm and shoulder, with pain.
Fast forward. She goes to the emergency room and finds out 1) she has a severly clogged artery in her head and 2) she has shingles.
She knew she should stop smoking, but I mentioned alcohol - she didn't know that it too would send her blood pressure up.
So many of us do not delve into health consequences... what will happen in time.
We fool ourselves into thinking we are an exception.
Me too. I have put off a few things too. | |
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| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 10/15/2007 9:30:16 PM | When it comes to stroke, prevention is best. Anyone can reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack by eating/juicing more vegetables and eating more fruit, and eating less processed foods. Exercise is great for the circulatory system, and taking natural blood thinners such as cayenne, garlic, onions, and hawthorn berries is safe and easy to do.
**Since each pharmacy has a blood pressure machine, there is no reason to check your blood pressure at least monthly, and depending on how high it is, cut back on salt and caffeine. (Use sea salt and drink green or better yet, white tea). | |
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| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 10/16/2007 6:55:50 PM | | That's right, folks.. listen to vitavitavegiman!.. just keep glossing over what really happens to people just cuz it probsbly won't... no need to needlessly WORRY about a undiagnoised cerebral anyuerym just BURSTING out of nowhere.. and causing a stroke!..of course.. we ALL KNOW that we bring strokes upon ourselves.. due to an unhealthy lifestyle.. i didn't even KNOW i had one ... until.. a nurse from a well-documented, endowed.. ivy hospital.. inadvertantly BLURTED IT OUT.. a couple of weeks LATER... apparently.. you have all the answers 'yall need..... that is.. 'til... it HAPPENS TO YOU! happy dreams....remember to keep yer head in the clouds.. | |
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| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 6/30/2009 10:47:20 AM | | Hi there people. It's interesting reading everyones responses to this thread- there seem still to be some generalisations that strokes are caused by excessive weight, poor lifestyle etc. Just like to throw in my two pence which is that at the grand old age of 23, I had a stroke while pregnant with my son. It wasn't because of drinking, or smoking, but because of a tangle of blood vessels in my brain stem called a Cavernous angioma, which oozed blood onto the nerves in the area. While I was lucky enough to recover and have two stroke-free years before the condition caused problems again, in 2007 I had repeated strokes (4) which finally warranted brain-stem surgery. While pretty recovered now, I will say that one of the things I found the hardest was the reception and judgement I received from people.I couldn't walk, talk, balance, or see properly,and people were rude, dismissive and sometimes insulting. That was the last thing I needed at the time. | |
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| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 7/2/2009 2:07:14 PM | I don't think the OP is 100% true at all, My Mum who is 40 is currently in hospital after suffering a stroke, it was recognised straight away through the FAST system by her friend, she was reached by an abulance crew within 5 mins and the hospital was over the road. This all happened early May and she is still in hospital, still very much affected by the stroke and will not make a full recovery.
Face, has part of their face drooped?
Arms, can they lift both arms straight up above their head?
Speech, can they talk properly? Is their speech slurred?
Time to call 999 | |
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| Signs of a stroke/Something everyone should read
Posted: 7/3/2009 5:14:19 AM | | As a survivor of a stroke and heart failure I was interested to follow this thread. I've seen an episode of House and another medical program where they did an angiogram and went right up into the blocked blood vessel in the brain and sucked the clot out. In an ideal world this could happen, but here in Australia even though they give you immediate treatment when you present with stroke symptoms they're not that switched on! Prevention's always better than cure, but as someone else said even fit and healthy people can have a stroke. I agree with the VitaminDoctor about eating well and taking supplements to thin the blood etc., but remember to tell your doctor about everything you're taking or eating so s/he knows what else might be interacting with your treatment or causing symptoms. | |
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