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Stroke Signs
February 5, 2008 |
When a stroke occurs it cuts off oxygen to the brain and causes damage that can
present itself in
many different ways. Dianna Highsmith is
an occupational therapist
who has worked with rehabilitating stroke patients for several years. She says, “It may affect your ability to do math, to read, to talk. It may affect your ability
to walk or use your arm. It may affect half of your brain and affect all of those
things.” But recognizing a stroke and quickly getting help could lessen the damage
done to the brain. “Make sure that you get there as fast as possible so that you’ve
got time to get the therapy that can prevent it from becoming a permanent disability,
“Dianna says. There are important signs to help you recognize a stroke. To help
remember them Dianna says to think of the work F.A.S.T. The F stands for face. Dianna
says to look at the face to see if it’s asymmetrical and to see if the smile is
dropping. The A stands for arms. “You ask them to raise their arms. Can they raise
both of their arms or is one arm dragging behind.” The S stands for sentence. See
if the person is able to say a simple sentence and see if they can say it correctly.
The T stands for time. “After you’ve checked out to see if they have those symptoms
you’ve only got three hours to get them to the hospital and get help,” says Dianna.
It’s important to call 911 right away if you or a loved one is experiencing the
stroke symptoms involved with the F.A.S.T test. Strokes are the leading cause of
serious, long-term disability in the United States. |
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