[Year 12 IPM] Recognizing a Stroke

[Stephen Loosley]

  Subject: *Recognizing a Stroke*

  A stroke occurs when oxygen fails to reach some part of the
  brain. Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify.

  Unfortunately, this lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke
  victim will ( - WILL! -) suffer brain damage if the people nearby
  fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke, and take action.

  Now, doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking
  the victim three simple questions:

   *Ask the individual to SMILE.
   *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.\
   *Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE
     coherently (e.g. "It is sunny out today").

  If he or she has trouble with ANY of these tasks, call 000
  immediately and describe the symptoms and/or seek urgent
  medical attention for them.

  After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers
  could *identify facial weakness / arm weakness / and speech
  problems* researchers now urge people to learn the 3 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 stroke and prevent brain damage.

  One cardiologist says that if everyone who gets this email sends it to
  another 10 people, you can bet that at least one life will be saved ! Be
  a friend, and share this email with your friends and colleagues. It may
  very well save your life as well :-)

<http://strokeconference.americanheart.org/portal/strokeconference/sc/release22003>
--

Happy trails ..
Stephen Loosley
Melburbs :-) eARTh