BS: Stroke Symptoms

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: open mike
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 12:19 PM

the main way that EMT will test for stroke is to ask the person
to squeeze our fingers with their hands..and to assess if there
is equal strength in both of their hands.
(we often cross our hands when dong this test, so
that our left hand fingers will be iin the patient's left hand .)

A stroke can be caused by hemmhorage(sp?) --EXTRA blood in the brain,
or clot/blockage...not enough blood (oxygen) to the brain.

diabetics often will have a "fruity" or acetone smell to their breath.
Some cases have shown that people with this condition have been
assumed to be drunk and put in jail...where they have died from
diabetic complications. There are 2 types of diabetis
hyper glycemia and hypo glycemia...it is a condition where the body
cannot absorb or "pass" sugar...the balance between insulin and sugar
is the defining factor.

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: s&r
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 11:47 AM

Smelling alcohol on someone's breath may mean simply that a person has a stroke or MI or diabetic incident or fit or W.H.Y. after they've had a drink ie not drunk

Stu

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: jacqui.c
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 08:27 AM

Same here. My mother lingered for about nine months following her stroke, during part of which she was conscious but almost completely paralysed.

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 06:29 AM

Mr Red..You can lose nothing by visiting your GP and asking if you are genetically 'at risk'...He/she will probably refer you to a specialist or tell you him/her self if they have the knowledge. Either way..I would want to find out if it were me.
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: Mr Red
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 05:26 AM

A friend had a mild stroke but was not found for several hours. The hospital did not do a brain scan. Her friends, given the symptoms, were furious (one was a nurse). As inevitably happens, she had a more serious one within months (age 40 something). She was paralysed on one side and hospitalised for several months. But she carried on smoking - even in hospital. With my SO at the time (a smoker) we visited and went to the hospital shop as requested, and (I was told later) SO took back a pack of cigarettes.

It amazed me that a) people are not aware of the contribution nicotine & b) that hospitals shops sell tobacco (albeit out of reach of stroke patients). In the nicest possible way I used to remonstrate with the friend but such was the relationship with SO that I could not say more than the fact that I disapproved of SO's actions.

The friend teamed-up with a stroke victim who took her away from all her friends. She died within 5 years. She had a pretty sad life for many other reasons. Some invovling family history of anuerisms.

My worry is that my own mother had an anuerism that was diagnosed and burst the night before the op. She was in a coma for 4 months before she slipped away. Am I genetically at risk?

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 10:03 PM

Those of us of an age for stroke likely are also at the age for myocardial infarcts (MI), commonly called "heart attacks." This is another case where prompt treatment is essential. Symptoms are widely known, with pain or tightening in the chest being a primary one.

It is unfortunately being found that women are "different" from men, and some are surprised by that. The clinker is that MI events are more frequently fatal for women. One postulate is that symptoms in women are sufficiently different from those for men that many emergency room persons, in the absence of the typical "male symptoms," send the women home without treatment - until it's too late.

It is easily seen that what once was primarily a "male defect" is now being found more often in women (that's progress for ya?), so studies are just beginning to appear to differentiate the signs and symptoms in women.

It appears that there is no general agreement on what symptoms in women are most likely to be indicators of an MI event. Various papers/articles have identified some symptoms that appear to be of significance, and to some extent which of the "male symptoms" are unlikely to appear in women.

For now, one of the better papers on the subject (that I've come across) is from the American Heart Association Journal(s). It is NOT digested down to "general public" level, with everything spelled out in biteable bits, but reasonably aware (i.e. breathing and know that they are) persons may get some idea of where the current thinking is going. Pick the 10% that is meaningful to you.

The abstract, useful only if you're worried about "credentials" and "authoritativeness," should open from:

Women's Early Warning Symptoms of Acute Myocardial Infarction (Abstract: American Heart Association Journal article

There are links at the abstract to the full text and/or pdf text of the article, or the full text article can be viewed at:

Full Text Article

The full text is available as a pdf (my prefered format) at:

Full Text pdf

Awareness is the first step. Keeping up later, as more is learned, may be needed.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: Bernard
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 03:07 PM

I must try to persuade Ted Edwards to contribute to this thread... a stroke paralysed him down his right side in 1992, and took away his ability to speak.

He's managed to overcome many of the obstacles fate put in his way... he learned to walk again (with a stick) using his 'dead' leg by locking the knee - ingenious.

Speech was more of a problem, and is only partly restored. He can manage complete sentences or gibberish on an ad hoc basis...!

He doesn't think he'll ever play guitar again, though he keeps it on the off chance.

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: Schantieman
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 12:43 PM

Since it's been mentioned, I'd like to put in a word for the Stroke Unit at Northwick Park Hospital. My dad had a moderately severe stroke back in October '02 and was carted off (more or less immediately - a good move) to NPH, which was local. The staff and facilities there are excellent and they looked after him brilliantly. He made a 70% or so recovery and lived three more years.

The fact that he made my mother's life a misery during those three years is another matter!

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 06:04 AM

Yes JennyO I made a full recovery except for the short term memory thing. The consultant told me that some people have mini strokes or TIAs (Transient Ischemic attacks) where small blood vessels on the brain 'leak' and cause them....in their sleep....they wake the next morning with a monumental headache and maybe tingling feelings but put it down to migraine and gradually heal.....only to have another larger one later as they have not had it treated. In my case it was high blood pressure and I take pills every day to allay any further possible problems. I go to the gym four or five times a week which certainly helps and I eat quite a sensible diet although I let myself down sometimes.
I certainly felt let down by the human race on the day of my attack but forgive and forget......

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 02:19 AM

Actually, this is one area where the USA is street ahead of the UK.

My late wife Jacqui's mother Edie just died in stroke related circumstances. She had had a stroke (not a major one) some years ago and her left leg had remained a bit less controllable. Last week she fell, in her semi-sheltered (retirement community) flat. No limbs were broken, but she banged her head, and a blood vessel in the brain was damaged. The medicine for her blood pressure meant the bleeding continued. It was inoperable. After about 12 hours in hospital (Queen Mary's Sidcup), she died.

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: jeffp
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 09:46 PM

It's much better to be told it's not a stroke than to not go and it turns out to be one.

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: Slag
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 09:36 PM

There are recuperative things which the medical profession can do to alleviate or completely eleminate the effect of stroke if you get to the medicoes soon enough. Never delay or second guess your initial surmise whether it is you or someone else exhibiting the symptoms. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! Get thee to a doctor!

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: JennyO
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 09:25 PM

So Georgiansilver - I'm assuming it WAS a stroke in your case? Did you recover well from it? No thanks to the people around you, unfortunately.

I do get your point about it looking to observers like a person is drunk. It's a good thing to keep in mind.

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 05:02 PM

I had my first stroke at Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman's farewell gig at Herga. I'd felt 'spaced out' all day and during the first half of the gig my arm and hand went very cold and numb.

I went to the loo at half time (down a horrid flight of stairs) and felt 'wobbly' so stepped outside for a few mins for some fresh air.

A couple of mins later my right side packed in completely. Luckily for me Hovering Bob's wife is a nurse and was leaving the club a little later. They found me and she realised what was happening and got me to The Stroke Unit at Northwick Park Hospital. I am eternally grateful for the help, research, physio and everything else on that wonderful unit.

In case you are interested, the strokes etc are caused by my major illness of lupus.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: Partridge
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 04:49 PM

Sometimes even when you get to the hospital and are diagnosed with a stroke it can several DAYS before they treat it. You need to have a spokesperson with you to make sure they treat you in good time.

pat x

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 03:18 PM

He directed you to the hospital???? Couldn't call fro a police car or ambulance?
GEEZ!

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 02:29 PM

In 1986, I was parking my car in a pay and display car park and whilst putting the money in the machine...it fell from my hand...I developed a severe headache which lasted for about 15 seconds only. I thought to myself that I should consult my GP when I arrived home. I then proceeded to jog the half mile to the Antique Fair and arrived inside the door before feeling the same bad feelings again and losing partial feeling in my right side....this time it didn't go away. I tried to ask the way to the hospital but my words were muddled and people did not understand...they thought I was drunk!!!!! I went into a shop where the male assistant sat and I kept (in my head) saying 'Hospital' to him...which he eventually understood...ushered me from his shop and directed me the quarter of a mile to the hospital.
In general no-one understood what was happening to me with muddled words and unsteady on my feet........IF YOU see someone like that ...at least smell their breath to establish whether alcohol has been consumed. I would personally take a lot of care in helping someone...even if I felt they were drunk...it costs me nothing and might save a life or ongoing problems.

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: Partridge
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 02:17 PM

Please take note of this thread, it might save a loved one.

Pat x

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: number 6
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 01:43 PM

Good thread.

It should be noted the sooner the stroke has been detected and the victim in hospital care the better .... every second counts in getting medical attention for a stroke.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: jeffp
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 01:42 PM

Those are good tests.

In addition, the American Stroke Association says these are the warning signs of stroke:

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body   
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

If you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, don't delay! Immediately call 9-1-1 or the emergency medical services (EMS) number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can be sent for you. Also, check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared. It's very important to take immediate action. If given within three hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug can reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: gnu
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 01:34 PM

Good advice, SINS. Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 01:03 PM

Often, the sufferer may die.

Subject: BS: Stroke Symptoms
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Jan 07 - 12:28 PM

Thought I would pass this on. Too many of us are in the age range when strokes happen. Any medical experts with better or additional advice?
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, to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently: It is sunny out today.)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.


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


If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.