In article q9m5k.38336$lE3.18530@trnddc05,
"Lew Hodgett" wrote:

I pass this on in hopes that it just might help.

Lew
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Subject: Signs of a stroke

STROKE I DENTIFICATION:

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 first 3 letters: STR .

Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster.

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

SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. 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 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to
the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke --- Stick out Your Tongue

Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue.

If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or
the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

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.

I asked Angela, my dream-come-true partner and referred to by tradition
as my wife. She runs a stroke clinic and is considered a specialist in
that field. I sent her Lew's post, (I hope you don't mind, Lew.) asked
if she had anything to add, (not to critique) ... well... here it
is...g
----------
This is good info and true, however the key piece is as the article
states all assessment and diagnosis and the treatment itself which is a
drug called tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) has to be done within 3
hours. Another piece is this, even when that happens not everyone is a
candidate for tPA. There are 2 types of strokes, 1 caused by a blockage
the other caused by a bleed. tPA can only be given to those strokes
caused by a blockage. If tPA is given to a patient whose stroke was
caused by a bleed they will hemorrhage in their brain and die.*How do we
know what type we are dealing with, it is the CT or MRI must be done.
Therefore, it isn't just about getting to a hospital within the right
time frame, its about getting to the right hospital. One that has CT
and/or MRI facility that is operated 24 hours day. So here a patient
would lose precious time going to Petrolia hospital as they do not have
a CT. In ON we have what is called a by-pass protocol which means if you
call 911 and you are exhibiting stroke symptoms they will by-pass what
might be the nearest hospital to take you to the closest one that CT
ability and a stroke specialist on-call who will administer tPA. Not all
hospitals do. So another key-important piece is to call 911 and not have
family or friends drive you. There are other reasons why even if all
those parameters are met that someone still wouldn't receive tPA. One is
if their B/P is too high and we can't bring it down to a safe range then
the risk of hemorrhaging in the brain would be too high. The other is if
the symptoms start resolving significantly on their own, they wouldn't
get tPA because it is a serious 'clot busting' drug that has serious
complications if not given to the right candidate.
*
All that being said, the best thing people can remember is that stroke
IS a MEDICAL EMERGENCY and requires immediate assessment and can be
treated when recognized. So everyone should learn the 5 warning signs of
stroke.
*
A SUDDEN change involving weakness (typically 1 side, might involve,
face, arm, leg, 1 or all - there is one type of stroke that is rarer and
involves bilateral weakness as well). This weakness may be accompanied
by numbness and tingling or may only experience the numbness and
tingling.
*
A SUDDEN change in speech. Might be slurred speech, difficulty getting
the words out, complaints of feeling like they have a mouthful of
marbles or just came from the dentist. Also may be trouble understanding
speech. To those around them they may seem confused but really they
aren't understanding/ processing what is being said to the,m.
*
A SUDDEN change in vision. Can be blurred, vision, double vision or loss
of vision 1 eye or both or 1/2 or 1 eye or 1/2 of both eyes.
*
A SUDDEN headache. Not a normal headache. The worst headache you have
EVER experienced in your life.
*
A SUDDEN change in balance/ coordination exhibited by dizziness often.
But not normal dizziness, the type where it effects your balance and/or
coordination
*
This is probably more than you wanted, huh?

-----

This planet needs more people like Angela. Her mother chose her name
well. So I am biased. Shoot me already.

r