October 29th, is Stroke Awareness Day - a time to educate ourselves on the signs of stroke and how to respond quickly when someone may be having one. As someone who has witnessed a potential stroke first-hand, I know just how critical fast action can be.
Last Thanksgiving, my brother-in-law's mother, Bette suddenly collapsed in my sister and brother in law’s house’s hallway. In the panic of the moment, I knew I had to act fast to determine if she was experiencing a stroke. Luckily, my knowledge of the common stroke warning signs allowed me to quickly rule that out while we waited for the first responders to arrive. Bette’s daughter and I sat Bette up in an upright chair and talked her through. The irony was, Bette flat out refused to go to a hospital because she was catering the Thanksgiving meal and would be damned before she allowed herself to miss it. Luckily her request was granted and we were blessed to be able to comply.
The timing of this incident was especially poignant, as October 28th is First Responders Day - a day to honor and appreciate the brave individuals who rush to help in emergencies like this one. In my sister’s neighborhood of Passaic, NJ- the service is called Hatzolah and is the main emergency service which is solely relied upon during religious holidays by observant Jewish people. First responder’s quick action can truly mean the difference between life and death, especially when it comes to strokes.
Strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked, typically by a blood clot or ruptured blood vessel. This deprivation of oxygen-rich blood can rapidly lead to brain damage and even death if not treated immediately. That's why it's so important to be able to recognize the early warning signs and call for emergency assistance right away.
The acronym FAST is an easy way to remember the key signs of a stroke:
F - Face Drooping: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?
A - Arm Weakness: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S - Speech Difficulty: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
T - Time to call 9-1-1: If you observe any of these signs, call emergency services immediately. Time is critical.
Other potential stroke symptoms include sudden:
- Confusion or trouble understanding
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Loss of balance or lack of coordination
- Severe headache with no known cause
If you suspect someone is having a stroke, don't wait to see if the symptoms go away on their own. Call 9-1-1 right away and describe the symptoms you've observed. The sooner treatment can begin, the better the chances of surviving and minimizing long-term damage.
I'm grateful that my quick thinking and knowledge of stroke warning signs allowed me to confidently rule out a stroke in that specific incident with Bette last Thanksgiving. She even had the nerve to talk back when I asked her to recite the American Alphabet. Her response was: “Tammy, did you know I was an elementary school teacher and taught my own students their alphabet?” Thanks for the sass, Bette but not everyone may be so lucky. Take the time to learn the FAST method and other stroke signs - it could save a life.
댓글