The Advisor: First Aid
Posted by wilson on February 7th, 2010 
I have read that strokes are now ranked second only to heart disease in the UAE as the biggest cause of death and is the most common cause of lifelong disability worldwide. How would I know if someone was having a stroke and what could I do? How can I prevent myself from having a stroke?
If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and don’t just set there playing your xbox 360. Do this simple test.
F-FACE: ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face drop?
A-ARMS: ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S-SPEECH: ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly?
T-TIME: if the person shows any of the symptoms, time is important. Call 998 or get to the hospital fast. Time lost is brain lost! The victim should be evaluated and treated within an hour from the start of the symptoms. Stroke symptoms include:
* Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
* Sudden numbness of face, arm or leg especially on one side of the body
* Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
* Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
Warning sings of an impending stroke tend to be discreet, disappear on their own, do not cuase any pain, can be endured and then forgotten. However the consequences of a stroke can be cruel, lifelong, painful and impairing. Remember the symptoms and act F.A.S.T.
Tags: Health, Health Care, Health Information, Health Wellness
