RECOGNIZING A STROKE 5 July 2007
[This
comes from a physician via a second party & is edited to improve
comprehension.]
- Symptoms of a stroke can often
be difficult to identify.
- Unfortunately, the lack of
recognition of stroke symptoms often spells disaster.
- The stroke
victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the
symptoms of a stroke.<>
- 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 simple signs of a stroke.
- Now physicians say any
bystander can recognize a stroke asking three simple questions. <>You might save someone's life if you can
remember the three questions below!
- Ask him or her to raise
both arms.
- Ask the person to speak a
simple sentence.
- Ask the individual to smile
- If
the person has trouble with any of these tasks,
- Call 911 immediately
- Describe the symptoms to the
dispatcher
- Say that these can be the
symptoms of a stroke.
- If
you can't do these things, call 911 and say whatever you can.
- If no words, then make noises
as best you can.
- American
Stroke Association's says wide-idespread use of this test could result
in prompt diagnosis
and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.
- These
conclusions were presented at an American Stroke Association's annual
meeting.