A Potentially Life-Saving Tip

[lagilman]

from a mailing list I'm on. Forwarded by request and un-cut so people will actually read it...


I just got an email from a sister-in-law, whose daughter is recovering from a stroke. Minutes are critical for stroke victims; the faster treatement starts, the better the results. A friend of Susie, my niece-in-law, had read an article about three questions that can help non-medical types recognize a stroke. When the friend saw Susie stumble, she asked the questions, Susie failed all three, and as a result the friend called 911 immediately. It's worth noting that Susie's blood pressure was normal and that she had *not* lost consciousness; in fact she could talk to some degree.

So my sister-in-law passed me the article, and I'm passing it along here and to a couple of other lists I'm on. (Apologies to those who get it twice.) Feel free to pass along to others.

Katie

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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:

*Ask the individual to SMILE.
*Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
*Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE
(Coherently) (ie. 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 gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people, you can bet that at least one life will be saved. Pretty good odds, I'm thinking...

Comments

[ferragus.livejournal.com]

Stealing this for my LJ! (and printing and posting it at work)

Thanks!

[emperor799.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'll be passing this along, thanks.

[eeknight.livejournal.com]

Interesting. Cut 'n paste to my lj coming up.

[lianneb.livejournal.com]

A year and a half ago, I ended up in the emergency room being checked for a stroke. Thankfully it wasn't a stroke (I had an infection of the optic nerve, and the strain of my muscles trying to compensate for the blurred vision in one eye had made the entire side of my face go numb. The doctor's office said get my butt to a hospital where I had a CAT scan and a bunch of other tests), but if it had been, catching it fast is the best thing possible.