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How to identify strokes and save lives

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KAMPALA, UGANDA––During a barbeque (BBQ), a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics).
 She said she had 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, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening
Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the barbeque. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.
Neurologists say that if they can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours, they can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally.
One neurologist 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.
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 and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(For instance, It is sunny out today.)
R - Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue
NOTE:  Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his/her tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 30 May 2011 16:58 )  




    
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