I was encouraged by a friend to spread the words around on this matter. Luckily for this, my Mum was one of the lucky ones who got away with the shocking killer disease. She is now happily walking around her garden daily. Learn up the simple steps and you might save some lives with your new found knowledge.
What is S.T.R.O.? S.T.R.O. comes from the first 4 letters of the word STROKE. Stroke is by far one of the most frightening of illnesses. It ranks 3rd after cancer and heart related diseases. If you suffer a stroke you would know the alteration in your brain and be aware of your diminished capabilities. You have a stroke and you either die or survive with a disability, perhaps lingering for years without being able to take care of yourself in the smallest way. It is the unpredictable outcome that is so frightening. Your risk? One victim amongst every five persons. Scary right?
STROKE IDENTIFICATION
A lady stumbled and took a little fall at a party. She assured everyone that she was fine as she has just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. She looked fine but appeared to be a bit shaken up. She went about enjoying herself for the rest of the evening. A few hours later, her husband called up telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital. She died a few hours after that from stroke. Had someone known how to identify the signs of a stroke, she would be alive today. A neurologist claimed that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke. 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
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify due to the lack of awareness amongst us. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms. Now doctors say that even a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking these simple questions. A cardiologist says if everyone were to be taught these simple steps, at least one life will be saved.
What is S.T.R.O.? S.T.R.O. comes from the first 4 letters of the word STROKE. Stroke is by far one of the most frightening of illnesses. It ranks 3rd after cancer and heart related diseases. If you suffer a stroke you would know the alteration in your brain and be aware of your diminished capabilities. You have a stroke and you either die or survive with a disability, perhaps lingering for years without being able to take care of yourself in the smallest way. It is the unpredictable outcome that is so frightening. Your risk? One victim amongst every five persons. Scary right?
STROKE IDENTIFICATION
A lady stumbled and took a little fall at a party. She assured everyone that she was fine as she has just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. She looked fine but appeared to be a bit shaken up. She went about enjoying herself for the rest of the evening. A few hours later, her husband called up telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital. She died a few hours after that from stroke. Had someone known how to identify the signs of a stroke, she would be alive today. A neurologist claimed that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke. 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
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify due to the lack of awareness amongst us. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms. Now doctors say that even a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking these simple questions. A cardiologist says if everyone were to be taught these simple steps, at least one life will be saved.
S - Ask the individual to SMILE.
T - Ask the person to TALK (speak a simple sentence coherently)
R - Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS
O - Ask him or her to OPEN THE MOUTH AND STICK OUT THE TONGUE. If the tongue is 'crooked' like to one side or to the other; that is also an indication of a stroke
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call your local EMERGENCY HOTLINE immediately! Please describe the symptoms to the paramedics.
