Recognizing a Stroke

[Superman]

Has everyone seen this?:

Subject: Recognizing a Stroke

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 - A true story

Susie is recouping at an incredible pace for someone with a massive stroke all because Sherry saw Susie stumble - - that is the key that isn't mentioned below -and then she asked Susie the 3 questions. So simple - this literally saved Susie's life - - Some angel sent it to Suzie's friend and they did just what it said to do. Suzie failed all three so then 9-1-1 was called. Even though she had normal blood pressure readings and did not appear to be a stroke as she could converse to some extent with the Paramedics they took her to the hospital right away. 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)
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 gets this e-mail 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.

[bryanthompson]

good post, Supe. Every second counts with a stroke.

[Rikao4]

right on the money Sup, my bosses wife recently had one. Her Daughter noticed Mom being a little odd/ 3 ?, and off she went.Almost a 100% recovery. Mom had planned to lay down for a while,
"I just need a nap" could have been a long one.
Rika

[RickM]

I man I worked with many years ago had a very serious stroke right in front of me. He acted odd for a few minutes, sat down and bowed his head. Out of nowhere his nose started to run profusely....literally like a faucet. Someone had recognized this as a symptom of a stroke and he was off the ER.

[Joeaksa]

If there is any question, give them an asprin or two and get them to an ER NOW. There are things that can be taken care of "in a day or so" but this is not one of them.

I flew medivac for far too long and have seen the long term effects. Act now and its better to be wrong than too late.

JoeA

There are many different types of stroke. Some (clots) can be helped or reversed by the medication if caught and medicated within the prescribed time. Other types - bleeds, aneurysms, AVM's may respond to surgery, but not always. In any case, Sup is correct about getting to treatment quickly to minimize damage.