Signs/Symptoms of a Stroke

[GJZH]

STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters...S.T.R.

My friend sent this to me and encouraged me to post it and spread the word. If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some people. Seriously.. Please read:

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food - while she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the afternoon. Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 PM Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.
It only takes a minute to read this..

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 "3" steps, STR Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe 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:

S * Ask the individual to SMILE.
T * Ask the person to TALK to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE
(Coherently) (I.e. . . It is sunny out today)
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke. If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately !! And describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
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[illusion129]

I've read these tips somewhere before but I thank you for posting them again. I know something this simple to identify is often overlooked, as done in the story, but if we all take a little time to remember these 3/4 steps, I'm sure it'll make a difference to someone someday.

Also, if you're able, I'd recommend taking a CPR/First Aid traning class sometime in the event that you or someone you love needs help immediately. My family and I live way out in the country and the last time we needed help it took the ambulance a whole 15 minutes to get here! Knowing what to do in an emergency situation is what saved a loved one's life (I had to perform CPR).

It's nice having the knowledge that may save a life someday.

Hope everyone is feeling OK and that the pain levels aren't too high today! Take care! -RH

[cindybear]

I know when I had my stroke, I couldn't speak at all..It sounded like rumbish...My whole right side felt like a ton of bricks were lying upon them...I could barely use them...I could understand everything, I just could not talk !! frustrating as can be..Thankfully, I was in the hospital ( I was having a stent placed for my aneurysm ) and they totally reversed it with little side effects..They gave me some clot busting meds...(the stent caused a clot to appear at the end of the stent ) . But when it happened- the clot- It felt , like a jolt in my head, I knew something was not right, then I lost my voice and right side..Very good info. Hugs, Cindy

[Bluey]

Thanks.
I bet many Doctors don't know enough to do these steps!
Heck, last time I was in a car accident I had a lump the size of an egg on the back of my head, had trouble walking and horrible chest pain. No one even checked me over at the emergency. Just asked some questions, and stroke ones weren't on the list. Didn't even use a stethoscope to check my heart or take my pulse. Heck, I couldda had an anuerysm from the whiplash, but hey, I'm still alive, so "guess" they were right!

[Matuboo]

Good post, my grandmother died of a stroke because no one around her seemed to recognize the symptoms until it was too late.

[BrokenBladder]

Thanks for this post!! I hope that maybe someday I can help someone if there in need!!