Got the the following information from a Consultant Neurosurgeon

INFORMATION EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW........................

Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue


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


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...

The neurologist said 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

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 emergency number
immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

Ocassionally, these aren’t picked up on or the person/patient seems to be ok – read on:

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

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his/her
tongue.. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other ,
that is also an indication of a stroke.

Hopthis hels someone

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ChrisC

My understanding is that it is a good idea to administer Aspirin immediately (even if unsure).

anyone have any definite information on this ?

There are two sorts of stroke - blood clots and bleeds; aspirin affects the blood cells that cause clots and makes it less sticky so is good treatment for the clots but will make the bleeds worse. Every suspected stroke victim should have a CT scan as soon as possible to determine what sort of stroke it is - a clot can be treated with aspirin and/or clot busters. A bleed may need surgery, but usually not helpful. The key, as mentioned above, is to recognize the possibility and get the patient to hospital as soon as possible.

Sean

Several years ago I found out how much can be done and how quickly action is needed. I asked about taking training to be able to help. £500 I was told. It's no help to me--only to help somenone else. Too much for me to pay. I tried. Sorry, but now all I can do is bend over apologize for not knowing what to do and say, "Bye, bye". GREAT Britain, where no-one cares a damn. Linzi.

We all have our opinions on this and many other things - I put this info here because I felt it might help save someones life one day.
So specifically because I and lots of others out there do care.
Linzi if you can't make a positive comment do not bother

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ChrisC

Very useful info here. Of course it doesnt help to go on afirst aid training course, but for those who cant find the time then this type of information is handy.

Adding further to the subject of health on the road, does anyone wear emergency direction stickers on their helmet (i.e. I am a diabetic or haemophiliac)?

You could try med-alert or medic-alert. They do bracelets for such information. I made my own essential helmet badge myself. If it was an official standard someone might actually look for it but it's a try at least. Linzi. Positive Comment: British people should look out for each other.

medicalert.org.uk Linzi.

Hi Lindsay

apology - pm'd - graciously accepted and in return please accept mine, I was probably a tad tetchy and it wasn't until after that I realised who you were.
I met you a the first Hubb drink in Brighton, and now realise that you were not having a go at me.

Thanks for the message and perhaps we should share a at the next meet

Regards

Chris

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ChrisC

Thanks for this very useful info. It is so easy to remember and do.

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To those who say it can't be done - stand aside for those who are already doing it.

No it could be a bleed on the brain type of stroke i had one 3 years ago

hello guys and girls.just like to put my 2 bobs worth in if I may?
After travelling from the middle east all the way home to Bali ,Indonesia i then got on a plane and went to brisbane to complete some business On the way back 10 days later i went to pick up the newspaper from the seat beside me and presto! My hand or fingers wouldnt work! apparently, this was me having a stroke! there was no pain or other symptoms that I can recall other than some tingling in my fingers , something that I put down to vibration from riding the bike over 20,00 km!Once I reached home I was able to use my hand to get my luggage from the bag carosel but next day it was useless!I cant recall my face dropping or tongue being of cente until i was in hospital several days later. the flight staff of singapore airlines didnt realise this as being a stroke either or this was thursday 27th nov 08 . i walkedinto a hospital on the1st dec where they did a ct and mri and said it was a mass on the right side or my brain . A possible brain tumo?r I was told. I contacted my travel insrance to see if they may be able to assist but being a big american .AIG! they wiped their hands of it saying that because i walked into the hospital so I wasn' covered. Anyway that was 2 months ago now since then I have flown myself to Australia and have been told that it was a Stroke 2nd opinion.! and have been in rehab since then! My arm is still totally useless but I am able to walk better and am working on the rest but it is a slow process. I dont think I will ride again for a while yet but do intend to get on a bike as soon as I feel i can handle it.. I would like to thank my wife for all her support and for putting up with my frustrations during this
i would also like to thank all of my friends and work colleuges for all their wishes as well as Jeff and Mic who have been a great support to me and Anna
Let me tell you guys, this is one thing that you dont want to have so please be careful and have yourselfs checked out before you plan a long ride The doctors still have no idea of what caused mine either! . So it can be anything?
Thanks again everyone And remember dont give all your life to your work or a company like I did. you do have to take time out to smell the roses at times .
its just ironic that some of us require this wake up call before we realise this!

cheers
Ivan
aka Dingo

Istill cant get used to this1 handed typing!

Wow indeed. That's why I just wish everyone in society was clued up on strokes. It used to anger me to think that the St John's Ambulance and the others sit on the knowledge but seek to charge money to tell others how to be prepared. I used to get angry about it but now I stay calm and just say something like F++k it. Years ago I was in Switzerland and witnessed that they are really well prepared, so it is possible. Best wishes to you. I hope all's well. Linzi.