Why Recognizing These 4 Simple Signs Can Save a Stroke Victim's Life
By admin on Mar 13, 2008 in Health
700,000 strokes will be reported in the United States in 2008. Stroke is the third leading cause of death, and often cripples victims and leaves them with disabilities. However, a small window of opportunity exists for about 80 percent of strokes but the patient must start receiving drug treatment within three hours of stroke onset.
How can you tell if your elderly parent is having a stroke?
There are four simple ways, called FAST.
F- Face
Is the person's smile crooked?
If it is not symmetrical you need to be concerned.
A-Arms
Can he raise both arms and keep them raised?
S-Speech
Ask him to speak a sentence. Can he speak clearly? If he is slurring his words or you cannot make sense of what he is saying, there is a serious problem.
T-Time
When did the trouble start? This is the most important question you will be asked once you get to the hospital. That's because it's absolutely vital you get help before too many oxygen starved brain cells die.
You can help doctors confirm 5 other stroke symptoms.
1. Sudden numbness or weakness, generally on one side of the body
2. Loss of balance and trouble walking
3. Dizziness
4. Sudden severe headache with no known cause
5. Sudden confusion
What you should do in case of a stroke
Get the person to a hospital as quickly as possible. It is important to know ahead of a stroke emergency which hospital is the best facility for stroke victims that gives 24-hour care.
Strokes can be devastating if not treated in time. You can avoid paralysis and disabilities such as trouble speaking, and thinking which could affect the stroke victim for the rest of his life if you are aware of the 4 main stroke signs ahead of time.
Popularity: 100% [?]

Tags: Health, signs of a stroke, stroke, stroke symptons
APA Related Posts
-
Madison Avenue Thinks You're Dead I love David Wolfe's article about how older consumers are basically ignored, on his blog, Ageless Marketing. David, a marketing expert, hits a major point that has been starling to me. Marketers generally quit marketing to you around age 47. That's because Madison Avenue thinks you're dead at 50. Well,...... -
7 Exciting Medical Advances That Will Empower You 21st century medical care promises to be not only innovative and exciting but will empower you as the patient. Thanks to new monitoring and diagnostic breakthroughs you will be able manage your own condition as easily as you manage your bank account. These advances will not only help you stay healthier and most likely out...... -
What to Do if Your Aging Parents Become Crime Victims I'll never forget the story about the elderly mother of one of my college teachers.She was at the mall, in a Mercedes, and a young woman ordered her to get out of the car. She was taking it along with her purse.The small elderly lady fought back, chased off the assailant ,who...... -
Patients Speak Out About What It Is Really Like To Be Ill Today .!. What's it like to be a patient facing serious illness in today's medical environment? The New York Times has a very detailed series of interviews with real patients facing such illnesses as stroke, Parkinson's, Prostate Cancer, Bipolar Disorder, Spinal Cord Injuries and Crohn's Disease. One Aids patient speaks out...... -
Exercise Routine To Start Before The Holidays Weight Loss and Medical News November 11th, 2008The Real Deal Behind Diet PillsNow that the magical glow of Halloween is over, and in its wake you realize that you have decimated the entire tub of Halloween candy that failed to attract enough trick-or-treaters. You also realize that now that the......
APA Related Websites
-
Four Stroke Symptoms You Should Watch Out For Image via Wikipedia I regularly get health-related emails which contain good information. I don't post all of them here but only those which I think might help anyone quickly and here is one of them. It talks about the 4 symptoms of a stroke that you should watch out for....... -
Austin hospital among first to test stem cells to fix broken hearts Image via Wikipedia For patients who suffer a major heart attack, get treatment at the hospital but are left with a damaged heart, Dr. Roger Gammon of the Heart Hospital of Austin is testing a new process to reverse that damage. Just as a Houston hospital is investigating stem...... -
Money Guest Post - Never Lend Money To Friends (Note - Thanks to Matthew for guest blogging while I am away visiting family. I will be back tomorrow!) Hello Readers of My Two Dollars! I'm Matthew Paulson, the blogger over at Getting Green. If you enjoy this post, be sure to head on over to Getting Green and read...... -
Babolat Aero Pro Drive Cortex Tennis Racquet Racquet - Babolat Aero Pro Drive Cortex Tennis Racquet Length - 27 inches / 69 centimeters Head Size - 100 square inches / 645 square centimeters Weight - 11.3 ounces / 320 grams Balance Point - 12.875 inches / 33 centimeters Construction - 23-26 mm Composition - High Modulus Graphite...... -
Stem cell research gives hope to stroke patients Image via Wikipedia Stroke-damaged brains could be repaired within 5-10 years using adult stem cells from teeth, according to one of Australia's leading stroke physicians who is pioneering new research in this field. Associate Professor Simon Koblar from the University of Adelaide and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital is leading......





12 Comment(s)
By Brennan Kingsland on Mar 15, 2008 | Reply
There are new billboards in our area that are educating quickly. They refer to strokes as 'brain attacks', and state "With a stroke, time lost is brain lost!" People need to learn to take quick action, rather than wondering IF there is a problem, or IF they should ignore symptoms, or IF the situation is hopeless. Excellent article!
Brennan Kingsland's last blog post..Teens, STDs & Consequences
By Remi on Mar 16, 2008 | Reply
An informative read. Although, it baffles my mind that in 2008 the writer (still) uses male-gender language to refer to a would-be stroke victim.
By DrKNutrition on Dec 19, 2008 | Reply
Great article. Only thing I would add is that most of what the article is describing is known as a TIA or transient ischemic attack. Basically a small stroke which often times is a precursor to a much more serious stroke. Severe strokes often times leave people in a wheel chair with permanent paralysis.
DrKNutritions last blog post..Popular Diets – Sham or Real? The Sugar Busters Diet
By Mobiles NZ on Jan 1, 2009 | Reply
I'd also like to add, if there's any doubt…just take them to the hospital.
By Christina on Jan 6, 2009 | Reply
I was wondering if "the five other stroke symptoms" had to happen all at the same time? Or over a period of time? As well as is there a certain age on which a stroke can happen or can it happen to any age group?
This in formation is kind of important for me to obtain please contact me at prospers_mom@hotmail.com..
By Giochi Pc on Feb 10, 2009 | Reply
This was very sad cause i thinked about my father died with a stroke
… Anyway, thanks for this informations, they could help saving a life
By admin on Feb 11, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for sharing with us, Giochi.
Strokes run in my family too and that's one of the reasons we all need to be aware of the warning signs.
-Alice
By Sean C on Apr 16, 2009 | Reply
This is great info!
By Custom T-shirts on Oct 23, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for the great article. Here in Australia the stroke foundation is really raising awaremess of stroke symptons. Think "F.A.S.T" is their new campign to recognise the areas of a potential stroke. F= Face, A = arms, S = Speech, T = time!
By medical seo on Nov 3, 2009 | Reply
Are there certain types of diseases or cancers that increase the likelihood of having a stroke?
By Pat @ anti aging skin products on Dec 3, 2009 | Reply
This is a very useful post with the short memomic FAST. Health authorities should be encouraged to use FAST in their publicity. Australia and USA seem more proactive than we are in the UK.
Pat @ anti aging skin products´s last blog ..Is it worthwhile considering a cheaper product?
By "Joann@pressurewashinglosangeles" on Jan 10, 2010 | Reply
Everyone should be taught these signs of stroke in elementary school. It's so important to recognize the symptoms. My aunt just had a stroke about a month ago. She is recovering, but now she cannot walk. Our family is praying for her recovery.