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Stroke : Remembering This Could Save a Life

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty

As a nurse for 32 years I have always passed along information that I would like friends and family to read.  I don't expect anyone to comment but please take a moment to read this ~ You just might save someone's life one day ~

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


STROKE  IDENTIFICATION:



During a BBQ, a woman 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, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.



Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane 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 emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.


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


NOTE:  Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: 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.

Steve Ewing - Keller Williams Realty
Keller Williams - Stockton, CA

Thank you for the informative blog.  Being able to recognize the outward signs of a stroke and getting help can save someones life.  It did save a friends mother and so I know how important this information really is.

Feb 25, 2011 10:09 AM
Cinnamon Wright
Wilmington Real Estate 4U 910.547.1446 - Wrightsville Beach, NC
Assistant to Tish Lloyd

Where is that darn re-blog when it could really make a difference?

Feb 25, 2011 10:24 AM
Karen Baker
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty - Sunset Beach, NC
Professional Help with Rapid Responses...

Thanks Steve ~ It is a true lifesaver for many ~

Cinnamon ~ I thought there were no more reblogs??

Feb 25, 2011 10:26 AM
Barbara Altieri
Better Homes and Gardens RE Shore and Country Properties - Shelton, CT
REALTOR-Fairfield County CT Homes/Condos For Sale

Frank and Karen -- I knew about the STR, but not about the tongue.  Valuable info when time is of the essence.

Feb 25, 2011 10:51 AM
Dennis Duvernay Broker/Owner
Hillview Realty - Northbridge, MA

Great information....very simple things to do if you think someone is having a stroke....and of course we don't want to forget the obvious (911) if any of these things are detected...

Feb 25, 2011 11:09 AM
Melissa McKinney
Everything Pines Partners Fayetteville - Fayetteville, NC
Realtor, www.LivingFayetteville.com

Frank & Karen~ This is great information that everyone should read! It certainly could help save a life! Thanks for the information...

Feb 25, 2011 11:43 AM
Tish Lloyd
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC
Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

As someone with chronic high blood pressure, I have been reminded of this frequently and share the info as often as possible.  My Dad suffered from two severe strokes and we lost him as a result.  Scary stuff.  Thanks for sharing.  Wish we could re-blog!

Feb 25, 2011 12:14 PM
Karen Baker
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty - Sunset Beach, NC
Professional Help with Rapid Responses...

Tish ~ High blood pressure is scary, keep it under control ~

Melissa ~ Save a life, pass it along

Dennis ~ Thanks for the reminder of 911 ~

Barbara ~ Pass it on ~ STTR ~ speak, talk, tongue, raise

Feb 26, 2011 12:23 AM
Elizabeth Byrne
Keller Williams Realty - Arlington, VA
Arlington Virginia Real Estate

Thank you so much for sharing such useful information with us. We all have families and friends who may need our help sometime. The tongue test is new to me - I'm glad I visited with you. Have a great day.

Feb 26, 2011 01:23 AM
Karen Baker
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty - Sunset Beach, NC
Professional Help with Rapid Responses...

Hi Elizabeth ~ Thanks for stopping by and happy to pass the info along ~

Feb 26, 2011 01:26 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Karen,

I, too, am a former RN. Look at this post from 2006 ..  

Feb 26, 2011 03:27 PM
Karen Baker
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty - Sunset Beach, NC
Professional Help with Rapid Responses...

Margaret ~ Wow, that was an early post from the first month you were on Active Rain ~

Feb 26, 2011 11:31 PM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

Smile, talk, raise. I have to remember that. I’ve seen the effects of a stroke that doesn’t take the life and I actually think it's worst than losing the life. Better than both is living!

Feb 27, 2011 12:59 PM
Karen Baker
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty - Sunset Beach, NC
Professional Help with Rapid Responses...

Russell ~ Don't forget the "crooked" tongue too!

Feb 27, 2011 01:15 PM