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Stroke Information
The information contained in this web site is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Consultation with your doctor or health care professional is recommended.
What is a stroke?
A stroke is a brain attack!
A stroke is the result of a block or hemorrhage of a blood vessel in the brain. When the blood flow is cut off, oxygen and nutrients are used up. Brain cells begin to die.
Immediate medical attention is required when a person experiences the warning signs of a stroke. If you experience one or more of the following warning signs, contact your doctor.
Warning Signs:
Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
Sudden trouble walking dizziness, lose of balance or coordination.
Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
More information on Strokes
Edited from Trinidad Guardian, Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Stroke unit needed in T&T
By Marsha Mokool
What causes strokes?
A stroke is when an area of the brain is deprived of its blood supply for 24 hours or moreusually because of a blockage or burst blood vesselcausing vital brain tissue to die. It’s essentially the same as what happens in the arteries leading to the heart when someone has a heart attack, which is why a stroke is sometimes described as a “brain attack.”
Ten stroke prevention guidelines
1. Know your blood pressure.
2. Find out if you have atrial fibrillation (very rapid unco-ordinated contractions of the atria of the heart).
3. If you smoke, stop.
4. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
5. Know your cholesterol number.
6. If you have diabetes, control your diabetes.
7. Include exercise in the activities you enjoy in your daily routine.
8. Enjoy a lower sodium (salt), lower fat diet.
9. Ask your doctor if you have circulation problems.
10. If you have any stroke symptoms, seek immediate help.
Symptoms Of A Stroke
Source: Unknown
Is It a Stroke?.....Stroke: Remember The 1st Three Letters!!!
Thank God for the sense to 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 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:
1) "S" - Ask the individual to smile.
2) "T" - Ask the person to speak a simple sentence. (Coherently - i.e. . . It is sunny out today)
3) "R" = Ask him or her to raise both arms.
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 of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
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 questions.
They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last February. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.
A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people, you can bet that at least one life will be saved. Tell as many people as possible about this. It could save their lives!
Warning signs of a ‘brain attack’
Newsday, News, Tuesday, March 23 2010
http://www.newsday.co.tt/features/0,117824.html
A STROKE, sometimes called a "brain attack", occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. When a stroke occurs, brain cells in the immediate area begin to die because they stop getting the oxygen and nutrients they need to function.
There are two major kinds of stroke. The first, called an ischemic stroke, is caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel or artery in the brain. About 80 percent of all strokes are ischemic. The second, known as a haemorrhagic stroke, is caused by a blood vessel in the brain that breaks and bleeds into the brain. About 20 percent of strokes are haemorrhagic.
Although stroke is a disease of the brain, it can affect the entire body. The effects of a stroke range from mild to severe and can include paralysis, problems with thinking, problems with speaking, and emotional problems. Patients may also experience pain or numbness after a stroke.
Because stroke injures the brain, you may not realise that you are having a stroke. To a bystander, someone having a stroke may just look unaware or confused. Stroke victims have the best chance if someone around them recognises the symptoms and acts quickly.
The symptoms of stroke are distinct because they happen quickly:
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden severe headache with no known cause
If you believe someone is having a stroke – if he or she suddenly loses the ability to speak, or move an arm or leg on one side, or experiences facial paralysis on one side call for an ambulance at 990 immediately.
Mission Possible ... A project about community based stroke programs.
Supported by: The Canadian Stroke Network & SAM
for more information click here.
News Stories
Half of Canadians don't treat stroke as emergency
CTV.ca News Staff, Updated Thu. Jun. 12 2008 7:37 PM ET
please click here for full story.
Canadian woman's accent changes after stroke
CTV.ca News Staff, Thu. Jul. 3 2008 5:28 PM ET
please click here for full story.
Robot helps stroke victims to grasp objects
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:51 AM on 19th February 2009
please click here for full story.
Irregular heartbeat raises stroke risk: report
By CBC News
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 | 10:07 AM ET
please click here for full story.
Helping stroke victims cope ... Survivors find fulfilment working with others trying to recover
Winnipeg Free Press
Sunday, July 6, 2009
please click here for full story.
Videos
Stroke survivor video
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