We all need to know this.
http://www.erie.gov/health/pdfs/signs_stroke.pdf
My friend sent this to me and encouraged me to post it and spread the word. I agree. If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks. Seriously.. Please read:
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STROKE:
Remember The 1st Three Letters...S.T.R.
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.
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
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 to
SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(I.e. . It is sunny out today)
R
*
Ask him or her to
RAISE BOTH ARMS.
NOTE: 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 ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately !! And
describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
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The above description is true and can be found at: http://www.erie.gov/health/pdfs/signs_stroke.pdf
Below is a urban legend story that is often emailed with this article.
===========================
URBAN LEGEND
STORY OFTEN EMAILED WITH THE ABOVE TEXT:
During a
BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she
was fine (they offered to call paramedics) and 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.