With the recent episode through which Senator Ted Kennedy went, many people speculated that he perhaps had had a stroke. Further tests have confirmed that instead he is suffering from a brain tumor. However, it reinforces the fact that early detection of a stroke is critically important. Obviously those around Sen. Kennedy acted quickly for that very reason.
According to several neurologists, they say that if they can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours the effects of a stroke can be totally reversed … totally. The key is getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.
STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters….S.T.R.
And now there is a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue!
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall – she assured veryone 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, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening
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.
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) (i.e. 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 (911) immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
New Sign of a Stroke ——– Stick out Your Tongue
A new fourth indicator has been isolated. Ask the person to ‘stick’ out his tongue. If the tongue is ‘crooked’, if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke. Although this does not fit easily into the STR method, remember S(mile), T(alk), R(aise), TONGUE.
The ability to immediately determine a POSSIBLE stroke can be beneficial to reversing the condition when presented to a neurologist within 3 hours.
