[Rhodes22-list] FYI - Is it a Stroke?

[Lloyd Crowther]

SOMETHING WE ALL NEED TO KNOW, IS IT A STROKE? 
  
"Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness usually spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. The warning signs are: reduced motor skills, blurred speech, distorted facial expression, stumbling, spastic motions... Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke with great consistency 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.

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." 


I wish the medical profession could tell us as simple and certain a way of recognizing a heart attack as recognizing a stroke; but they can't - not yet. In the meantime, getting older puts us all at greater risk of both (well, much older for me!). Anyhow, I thought you few Rhodies who didn't already know this might might like to. 

Lloyd.Crowther
s/v Uhuru II