Strokes

Recognizing a Stroke

Act F.A.S.T.

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick is getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

Anatomy of a stroke

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 remembering the first three letters of the word, "stroke," and asking three simple questions:

S Ask the individual to SMILE.
T Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE coherently. (e.g. "It is sunny out today.")
R Ask him/her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he/she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call the emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign Of A Stroke – Stick Out Your Tongue

Another sign of a stroke is this: Ask the person to stick out his/her tongue. If the tongue is "crooked," if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

Could You Have a 'Mini-Stroke'
And Not Know It?

http://www.everydayhealth.com/senior-health/stroke/warning-signs-and-symptoms.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthHeartHealth_20100623

Also known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), a mini-stroke can occur before a major one leads to permanent damage.

Watch out for these warning signs.

Top

Stroke Prevention

The goal of the Hospital Rehabilitation Units is not only to provide the rehabilitative services for regaining medical and functional skills, but also to provide patients with preventive information to maintain a healthy lifestyle, regardless of their medical diagnosis. We want to share this information with all of our patients and families so that you are aware of how you can help fight against stroke, the third leading cause of death in the United States.

DIET: Follow a diet with more fruits, vegetables, and grains than meat and limit your fat intake. Choose fats that are heart-healthy, like olive oil or canola oil. Choose lean cuts of meat and fish that are broiled or baked. Limit your sodium or salt intake: avoid salt, processed meats, cheese, snack-type chips, olives, and pickles. Increasing the fiber in your diet will help to control weight, blood sugar, and decrease your cholesterol. Fiber can be found in whole grains, cereals, fruits, and vegetables. Start drinking or cooking with lower-fat milk, such as 2% or skim milk.

MEDICATION: Be sure that you are following the medication program your doctor has outlined for you. Medications for elevated blood pressure, to control a rapid or irregular heart rate, to control your diabetes, to control elevated cholesterol or triglycerides, or to thin your blood must be taken faithfully as ordered. Always be sure your doctor knows all the medications or supplements that you take both by prescription and over the counter. If you are taking medication that you feel is too expensive, talk to your doctor about medication that may be less expensive. There are many programs through the drug companies which could help with the cost of your medication. Visit www.pparx.org.

BLOOD THINNERS: Blood thinners that are prescribed (aspirin, Plavix, Coumadin, or Aggrenox) should be continued unless your doctor tells you to stop. This helps keep the blood flowing to your brain and heart. Be sure all of your doctors and your dentist know the medications that you take.

EXERCISE: Be sure your doctor says that you can safely exercise, then start slowly and work up to a moderate level of exercise 3 to 5 times a week. Park in the parking space farthest from the door. Take the stairs. Exercise adds up just like calories.

ALCOHOL INTAKE: If you don't drink, don't start. If you do drink, keep your intake to no more than one drink per day.

GENERAL HEALTH: If you have a chronic health problem like diabetes, be sure to eat the calories allowed and to follow the steps outlined by your doctor to stay healthy. Diabetic patients must monitor their blood sugar and keep a record. Take this record to the doctor during scheduled appointments. Take your medication to control your blood sugar. The closer to normal your blood sugar is, the less likely you will have problems related to your diabetes such as a stroke, kidney failure, amputation, or vision difficulties.

KNOW YOUR NUMBERS: Know your blood pressure readings. Be sure to take your prescribed medication. Don't skip it because you are feeling well. Know your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

MEDICAL FOLLOWUP: Keep your follow up appointments with your medical doctors to stay in the best health possible.

SMOKING: Smoking has a negative effect on your blood vessels that can lead to stroke and heart disease. If you don't smoke, don't start. If you do smoke, cut back and try to quit. Your doctor can recommend and prescribe medication to help you stop smoking.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

These websites will give you more information on getting healthy and staying healthy:

www.stroke.org
www.ahcpr.gov
www.cholesterolrolldown.org
www.americanheart.org
www.strokeassociation.org

Written by Kennestone Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit 11.5.08

Top

Stroke Resources Guide

Literature or Information:

Top

Educational Materials and Resources

  • American Rehabilitation Foundation
     Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute
    800 East 28th Street
    Minneapolis, MN 55407

  • Children of Aging Parents - www.caps4.org
     (215) 945-6900
    (215) 945-8720 Fax
    (800) 227-7294

  • Eldercare Locator - www.n4a.org
     (800) 677-1116

  • National Family Caregiver Association - www.caregiver.org
     (800) 896-3650

  • Family Caregiver Alliance
     (Newsletters and greeting cards for caregivers are available to members. Strives to be a voice to Capitol Hill regarding caregiver issues.)

Top

Hotlines for Caregivers

  • American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) - www.aarp.org
     (888) 687-2277

  • Well Spouse Foundation - www.wellspouse.org
     (800) 838-0879

  • Let's Talk Stroke - www.letstalkstroke.com
     Practical, useful information for stroke survivors, their caregivers, and their families in the journey of recovery. (The spouse of a former patient of WellStar Kennestone Inpatient Rehab developed this website.)

Top

Communication

Top

Employment

  • ADA Helpline Equal Opportunity Employment Commission
    (800) 669-3362 or TDD (800) 800-3302

  • Heath Resource Center/National Clearinghouse on Post-Secondary Education for Individuals with Disabilities - www.Heath.gwu.edu
    (800) 544-3284

  • Financial - www.cms.gov

  • Medicare Hotline
    Possible eligibility for Medicare if disabled for 2 years.
    (800) 633-4227

  • National Insurance Consumer Helpline
    (800) 942-4242

  • Social Security Administration - www.ssa.gov

Top

Legal Services

  • National Disability Rights Network - www.napas.org
    Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Disabilities.
    (202) 408-9514

Top

Rehabilitation and Adaptive Devices

  • ABLEDATA - www.abledata.com
    Assistive product information for people with handicaps or disabilities.
    (800) 227-0216

Top

Vocational Rehabilitation

  • ADA Helpline - Equal Opportunity Commission
    (800) 669-4000

  • Georgia Department of Labor Rehabilitation Services - www.vocrehabga.org

Top

Disabled Driver Evaluations

  • Vocational Rehab: Counselor through State of Georgia (DHR) at Warm Springs

  • Handicapped Driver Services: (770) 422-9674. Kennesaw: evaluations, adaptations, van rentals

  • DeKalb Medical Center: (404) 501-5140 Beth Anderson

  • Shepherd Center: (404) 305-7798 Michelle Luther-King

  • Emory Rehab Services: (404) 712-5527

Top

Adaptations (of your car, van, etc.)

  • Adapted Mobility Systems (Norcross): (770) 662-5242

  • Handicapped Driver Services (Kennesaw): (770) 442-9674

  • R&R (Conyers): (770) 483-0767

  • DuraMed (Augusta): (706) 737-0500 or (800) 637-1378

  • Macaway (Athens): (706) 353-1099

Note: General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler have rebate programs to help with the cost of adaptations on new Vehicles.

The above list is provided by the National and American Stroke Associations as a resource list for their patients. The organizations, associations, and foundations are not owned or provided by the Stroke Association. This listing does not mean the American Heart Association or Stroke Association give recommendations and endorsements.

Top

SUGGESTED BOOK LIST From Stroke Survivors and Their Caregivers

Guides, Workbooks, and Textbooks

  1. Brain (Body focus: Injury, Illness, and Health)
    By Steve Parker
    A detailed book about the brain.

  2. Brain, Heal Thyself: A Caregiver’s new Approach to Recovery from Stroke, Aneurysm, and Traumatic Brain Injuries
    By Madonna Siles
    When Eve suffered a near-fatal brain aneurysm, Madonna Siles, her housemate and friend, too quickly found herself making critical short- and long-term medical care decisions.

  3. Healing into Possibility: The Transformational Lessons of a Stroke
    By Allison Bonds Shapiro
    Allison Bonds Shapiro suffered two debilitating and nearly fatal strokes in her fifties. This book chronicles her experience

  4. Psychotherapeutic Interventions for Adults with Brain Injury or Stroke: A Clinician’s Treatment Resource
    By Karen G. Langer

  5. Stroke: A Comprehensive Guide to “Brain Attacks”: Everything You Need To Know
    By Vladimir Hachinski, Larissa Hachinski
    An authoritative resource on strokes designed for both sufferers and anyone who needs to understand this disease.

  6. Stroke: A Practical Approach
    By James D. Geyer, Camilo R. Gomez
    This book is a unique source of practical information for frontline providers of care for stroke patients.

  7. Stroke: Brain Assault: Suggestions, Encouragement and Exercises to Help You or Your Loved One Overcome the Effects of a Stroke
    By Madelina A. Depaz
    The story of one woman’s experience of an aneurysm stroke.

  8. Stroke: Practical Guide for Clinicians
    By N.M. Bornstein

  9. Stroke: Practical Management
    By Charles P. Warlow, Graeme J. Hankey, Peter Langhorne, Joanna M. Wardlaw, Peter Rothwell
    Completely updated edition, written by a close-knit author team. Presents a unique approach to stroke.

  10. Stroke
    By Louis R. Caplan
    Stroke, the fourth volume in a series sponsored by the American Academy of Neurology, was written for both stroke survivors and individuals wishing to learn more.

  11. Stronger After Stroke: Your Roadmap to Recovery
    By Peter G. Levine
    Written for stroke survivors, their caregivers and their loved ones. Stroke survivors recover by using the same learning techniques that anyone uses to master anything.

  12. The Other Brain: From Dementia to Schizophrenia, How New Discoveries about the Brain Are Revolutionizing Medicine and Science
    By R. Douglas Fields, Ph.D
    Despite everything that has been written about the brain, a very important part of this vital organ has been overlooked in most books until now

Top

Books by Stroke Survivors & Caregivers

  1. Brain, Heal Thyself: A Caregiver’s New Approach to Recovery From Stroke, Aneurysm, and Traumatic Brain Injuries
    By M.D. Lawrence J. Beuret
    This is a good book about the before, during and after of a trauma like brain injuries. The author explains how lonely is the caregiver and how overwhelming the task.

  2. Climbing the Mountain: Stories of Hope and Healing after Brain Injury and Stroke
    By Candice Fancher
    An inspiring anthology of stories by stroke/brain injury patients and their family members

  3. Conquering Stroke: How I Fought My Way Back and How You Can Too
    By Valerie Green
    The informative, inspirational, and moving account of Valerie Greene’s journey.

  4. Don’t Leave Me This Way: Or When I Get Back On My Feet You’ll Be Sorry
    By Julia Fox Garrison
    The story of a 37-year-old woman suffering a massive brain hemorrhage and her extraordinary recovery.

  5. Eureka! Memories and Motivations: A Strategy for Creating a Healing Home for the Stroke/Brain Injury Patient and Caregiver
    By Madonna Siles
    Strokes and brain injuries can strike on any given day, out of the blue, changing lives of loved ones forever.

  6. How to Conquer the World With One Hand…And an Attitude (Second Edition)
    By Paul E. Berger
    The account of Paul and Stephanie’s struggle against a serious illness and the system that was supposed to help them.

  7. Living with Stroke: A Guide for Families
    By Richard c. Selenick

  8. My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey
    By Jill Bolte Taylor
    Jill Bolte Taylor was a 37-year-old Harvard-trained and published brain scientist when a blood vessel exploded in her brain.

  9. My Stroke of Luck
    By Kirk Douglas
    At age 84, one of Hollywood’s brightest stars offers the inspirational but not at all Pollyannish story of his recovery.

  10. Sara’s Story
    By Timothy Culver
    When his 42-year-old wife and mother of their three children suffered a major stroke, Tim Culver could not believe it.

  11. The Diving Bell and The Butterfly: A Memoir of Life in Death
    By Jean Dominique Bauby
    In December of 1995, Jean-Dominique Bauby, 43-year-old editor-in-chief of Elle magazine in France, suffered a stroke which severely damaged his brain stem. After several weeks in a coma, he woke to find that he was one of the rare victims of a condition called "locked-in syndrome," or LIS, which had left his mind functioning but his body almost completely paralyzed.

Top

Videos

  1. Stroke Recovery: Taking Back Our Lives
    60 minutes of experiences, advice and helpful information given by stroke survivors, caregivers, family, friends, doctors, and other health professionals.

  2. Surviving a Stroke
    Learn what stroke victims have done to adapt and enjoy life once again.

  3. The Diving Bell and The Butterfly
    The story of Elle editor-in-chief Jean-Dominique Bauby.

Top