Save A Life: Know The Signs of a Stroke

My mom recently suffered a 4th stroke. Fortunately she was in a nursing home and not by herself, so someone intervened when they realized that something was wrong with her. She is still alive thank God, but can not walk or use her right arm. The prayer of family members and friends is that her health will be restored.
The effects of a stroke can be devastating and deadly. I’d like to pass along this helpful information which may help you save the life of a loved one, friend or stranger. It was emailed to me and it originated from a nurse.

STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters.... S.T.R.


If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks. Seriously...

Please read:

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone 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.

It only takes a minute to read this...
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE
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 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 999/911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue:

NOTE: 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.
According to snopes.com, the "sticking the tongue out" is probably a true test, but more than likely not as reliable as the first three (Smile, Talk, Raise both arms.)

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. Let’s remember to be our brother’s and sister’s keeper so that we all can be Winners at life.
Stay Blessed!
Joyce