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May is National Stroke Awareness Month By Amanda Emery Every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke, and every three to four minutes a person dies because of one. This makes stroke the third leading cause of death among men and women, and the leading cause of serious long-term disability. May has been designated as National Stroke Awareness Month. By learning what puts you at risk, the lifestyle changes you can make to prevent stroke, and what the signs and symptoms of a stroke are, you can help protect yourself from becoming one of the 610,000 people who experience a new stroke each year. A stroke occurs when blood circulation to the brain fails, either caused by a blockage of a blood vessel or by bleeding into the brain. In either case, parts of the brain become damaged or die. For stroke survivors, recovery can take months or even years, and many people who have had a stroke never fully recover. The reality of these facts is why it is important to understand what puts you at risk for stroke. In most instances, the best way you can protect yourself is to recognize avoidable risk factors, and make the necessary lifestyle changes. However, there are some risks that you cannot control on your own such as age, gender, ethnicity, family history and other underlying health conditions. For these situations, the best thing to do is to discuss medication or other treatment options with your healthcare provider.
Risk factors: · Inactivity - By getting in 30 minutes of regular exercise each day, you reduce your risk for developing diseases - including conditions that increase your risk for stroke. · Obesity - Maintaining a healthy weigh, eating foods that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fiber, lowering sodium intake, and consuming plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, all reduce your risk of stroke. · High blood pressure - You and your healthcare provider should work together to monitor blood pressure readings. · Cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke - If you smoke, stop; doing so will greatly reduce your risk for stroke. · High cholesterol - It is recommended to have regular cholesterol tests performed because fatty deposits can build up on blood vessel walls and block the blood flow to the brain, causing a stroke. · Alcohol consumption - Limiting alcohol use will reduce your risk for stroke.
Now that you have armed yourself with knowing what things put you at risk for stroke and some things you can do to avoid having one, the next step is knowing how to recognize that a stroke is occurring. By learning the signs and symptoms of stroke, you may save your life or the life of someone you love. Patients who recognize the signs of a stroke and arrive at the emergency room within three hours of their first symptoms tend to be healthier three months after the event than those whose care was delayed. This is why it is imperative to call 9-1-1 immediately and seek emergency services if you believe you or a loved one is experiencing a stroke. A stroke can affect your senses, speech, behavior, thoughts, memory and emotions, and one side of your body may become paralyzed or weak. Symptoms may come on quickly and then go away within a few minutes. If this happens, it is possible that you have experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or “mini-stroke.” These “mini-strokes” do not cause permanent damage but can be a warning sign of a full stroke, and you should still seek immediate medical assistance.
Signs and symptoms include, sudden: · numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg · confusion or trouble speaking or understanding others · trouble seeing in one or both eyes · dizziness, trouble walking, or loss of balance or coordination · severe headache with no known cause
The amount of information that is available regarding stroke can be overwhelming. Luckily, you don’t have to go at it alone! The healthcare professionals at Mile Bluff Medical Center are available to help. If you think you are at an increased risk for experiencing a stroke, Mile Bluff’s staff of family practice providers can help you assess your risks, and provide treatment options. If you do not know your specific risks, Mile Bluff’s healthcare professionals can help you there too. By attending one of the upcoming health fairs, you will have the opportunity to discuss your specific risks for developing heart disease and/or diabetes - two risk factors of stroke. You will also be able to have free blood sugar and blood pressure tests performed. Cholesterol tests are available at each of these events for a small fee as well. Mile Bluff offers a full line of services locally, so there is no need for you to travel long distances for your healthcare needs. Let the team at Mile Bluff assist you in your fight to prevent a stroke. Call 608-847-6161 for information, or if you have questions about the services offered at the medical center.
Act F.A.S.T. if you think someone may be having a stroke Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one are drift downward? Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly? Time: If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is critical. Call 9-1-1 or get to the hospital fast. Brain cells are dying. |
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Mile Bluff Medical Center/ 1050 Division St./ Mauston, WI 53948 / 608 847 6161 Mile Bluff Medical Center, 1050 Division Street, Mauston, WI 53948 608 847 6161 or Toll free in WI at 800 252 4377 © 2008 Mile Bluff Medical Center |
