Wednesday, May 30, 2001
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Wednesday, May 30, 2001 |
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Stroke awareness By Joy Maltese,
R.N. Each year stroke kills more than twice as many American women as breast cancer, yet only one in three women can name a symptom or risk factor. In an effort to address this misunderstood illness, the National Stroke Association (NSA) and your local Public Health Services have declared May to be National Stroke Awareness Month. This year's theme focuses on women, who account for more than half of all stroke deaths in the United States. Together with NSA's "Women in Your Life" campaign, we can create additional stroke awareness, reduce stroke's impact and help women lead healthier lives. A stroke is an interruption or blockage of blood flow to the brain that can cause a variety of physical and emotional disabilities including speech or memory loss and total or partial paralysis. It strikes more than 750,000 Americans each year and costs the nation more than $30 billion annually in lost work time and health care costs. The good news is that most strokes can be prevented and treated if symptoms are recognized and risk factors managed. One-third of strokes occur in women under the age of 65, and 100,000 women from the ages of 30-65 will suffer a stroke in 2001. African-American women have the highest rate of stroke prevalence among the three major ethnic groups including Caucasians and Hispanics. "We know that women are more likely to have serious disabilities following a stroke than men. By educating women that stroke is a medical emergency, treatment can be more effective and lives can be saved," said Patti Shwayder, NSA executive director and CEP. Education is the key to saving lives and preventing years of financial, emotional and physical disability. Learn the three R's of stroke: Reduce your risk. Recognize the symptoms. Respond immediately.
Reduce risk. Know your blood pressure. If elevated, work with your doctor to get it down. Stop smoking. Smoking doubles the risk for stroke. If you drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. Keep your cholesterol level down. Diabetics should control their blood sugar by following doctor orders. Exercise daily doing fun activities. Enjoy a low-salt, low-fat diet. If your heart beats irregularly, work with you doctor to get it regulated. Recognize stroke symptoms. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm/leg especially on one side. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. Sudden severe headache with no known cause. Respond by calling 911. Every minute counts. When a stroke occurs, blood supply to the brain is cut off and brain cells begin to die. The damage may continue to spread for hours after the first signs of a stroke. The quicker a person receives treatment, the greater his/her chances for recovery. Medications are available that can dissolve blood clots and allow blood and oxygen to flow normally to the brain. However, these "clot-busting" drugs work best when they can be started as soon after the start of symptoms as possible. The National Stroke Association is a leading independent national non-profit organization devoting 100 percent of its efforts and resources to stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation and support for stroke survivors and their families. For more information on stroke, contact the National Stroke Association at 1-800-787-6537 or visit www.stroke.org. You may also obtain information at the Fayette County Health Dept., 140 Stonewall Ave. West (the County Complex), Suite 107.
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