How to recognize a Stroke

[Rod B]

Please read this, as it is not a joke...
 
 
 

 
Subject:         Stroke Recognition....important

STROKE RECOGNITION! This is a good thing for everyone to know!

During a BBQ 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 BBQ - had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke perhaps Ingrid would be with us today.

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 getting to the patient within 3
hours which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps. 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 (Coherently) (i.e. It is
sunny out today)

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 reads this sends it to 10
people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

BE A FRIEND AND SHARE THIS ARTICLE WITH AS MANY FRIENDS AS

POSSIBLE, you could save their lives.

[BamBams]

Great post!  Thank you for sharing this information.

[clodbuster]

Thank you Rod  I am sending the questions to everyone I konw the email of.

[Hixly]

Very useful . Thanks for posting that information.

[ShadowMover]

Another additional simple test is to ask the person to squeeze your two hands with his or her two hands. If their hands are small, just have them grip your two fingers on each of your hands, like the handlebars on a bike. Judge the strength and equality of the two grips. Often a person having a stroke will be dramatically weaker on one side.  You can also check their pupil reaction to a flashlight in their eyes. In a shaded area, while the person is looking at you, BRIEFLY shine a flashlight at one eye, and look for the pupil to contract, noting the amount and speed of the shrinking, then do it to the other eye. What you want is the reaction to be "equal and reactive". Some people who are medication, have had eye surgery or other medical problems may not have equal and reactive pupils, but it's a good field test. Any sluggishness or lack of contraction needs to be explained by a medical exam. Any weakness in the grip is also cause for a medical exam. There are many more subtle tests that paramedics use on a daily basis that people should know. Perhaps a paramedic or doctor on GBO would make or post a short list.