tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35209177629951052272024-02-07T15:04:38.629-08:00Militza for strokeAlex Villepiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777616110527909798noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520917762995105227.post-64759791280332627762014-08-09T11:40:00.001-07:002014-08-09T11:40:41.090-07:00Celebration of LifeThis post will be slightly different.<br />
You see, today is my mother birthday. I lost her because none in our family actually know how to recognize stroke symptoms, nor her family of origin realized what actually means when doctor says do not cause any emotional distress.<br />
Because my mother would be alive now if we knew that, I started this blog. The more information about stroke are available on the internet the greater probability is that someone's life will be saved.<br />
The rest of the post is a celebration of my mother life. She loved flowers, and here are some of her favorite plants I managed to make grow in my own garden.<br />
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<br />Alex Villepiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777616110527909798noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520917762995105227.post-52725245609252730352014-07-26T14:24:00.001-07:002014-07-26T14:24:07.494-07:00Stroke and psychological causesMost of my posts so far were about physical causes of the strokes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGF2z7-PKFbarNEMd1IOPuu0UQxgk416tveSfv_kdeJHdlmyWFcXNlUrrorFGl_D_t0x5MfPXAA4wNcb2AgWNPeB5bq2_gGs8621YBZr-YRVoE4oSznZWP0HENFNFjSWTCB4yIfM-ovvF/s1600/stress-gray-hair-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGF2z7-PKFbarNEMd1IOPuu0UQxgk416tveSfv_kdeJHdlmyWFcXNlUrrorFGl_D_t0x5MfPXAA4wNcb2AgWNPeB5bq2_gGs8621YBZr-YRVoE4oSznZWP0HENFNFjSWTCB4yIfM-ovvF/s1600/stress-gray-hair-1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://health.howstuffworks.com/</td></tr>
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The latest issue of the peer-reviewed journal Stroke brought us a surprise. They published study that connect increased stroke risk with depressive symptoms, chronic stress, and hostility.<br />
You can get to the full text of the study <a href="http://stroke.ahajournals.org/content/early/2014/07/10/STROKEAHA.114.004815">here</a>.<br />
In short, study found that if a human is middle aged and has either depression, chronic stress or he/she is exposed to hostility the risk of stroke increases.<br />
Work did not study what happens if someone uses coping strategies, so if you're at the risk, start using those.<br />
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Since I expect that majority of my readers do not have scientific education, let me explain particularities.<br />
First, it is published in peer-reviewed journal. This means that the article was carefully reviewed by another scientist or two, most likely the one that competes with author for research funding. These reviews are usually really nitpicking. Any error or unclear spot is marked and returned to the author for additional explanations. Only when everything is corrected to the satisfaction of the peers, and they cannot find anything else possibly wrong with it, the article is published.<br />
And as articles go, this one is good. The sample is decent sized, it encompasses the huge variety of the human population, and authors are saying they did control for physical causes of a stroke. <br />
The most important, authors mention exactly what they did not do, where are the potential errors of their findings and what else needs to be done to get better results. All this is important because, in essence, it demonstrates honesty of the authors. They do not invent stuff, they are saying only what they saw. And since in nature you cannot get a perfect run each time, they honestly report that there are the limits to what they saw.<br />
All in all, this is a nice work, the one worth noting.<br />
And if you're in the risk group, start using coping mechanisms.Alex Villepiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777616110527909798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520917762995105227.post-5900516126352117732014-07-05T11:32:00.001-07:002014-07-05T11:32:08.584-07:00Early detectionThis week, I found a report of another research through <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/06/29/strokefinder-strokes-medical-diagnose-stroke-microwave/11303361/">USA Today</a>.<br />
Link for the r<a href="http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/articleDetails.jsp?reload=true&arnumber=6832574">eal scientific paper </a>led to basically nowhere. Journal in which scientists published allows you only to read an abstract of the work, nothing more. I usually skip this kind of works, simply because I cannot see the methods for myself, and subsequently I cannot judge validity of the research methods used.<br />
The work is talking about the microwave- based stroke diagnosis that is capable of differentiating hemorrhagic from ischemic stroke in acute stroke patients. Also, authors claim that the method can distinguish between hemorrhagic patients from healthy volunteers, in abstract there is no mention can the method distinguish between a healthy person and ischemic stroke victim. I know the rules of writing scientific abstract; so I can safely say that this device cannot distinguish between a healthy person and ischemic stroke victim.<br />
Also, validation method is combined with substantial modeling, how exactly I cannot say, but whenever models are in question, especially the ones called Monte Carlo, alarms should ring. Monte Carlo is a simulation of reality, only good as the initial assumptions. From the abstract, no one cannot judge validity of the assumptions used in the work.<br />
So to conclude, this is neat and potentially helpful idea, but I would not rush to use their device, without extra testing. Wait at least till their device gets officially approved. The device itself is not as crucial for early detection of stroke, as is knowledge of detecting the stroke symptoms and taking the victim into hospital within the first hour. So rather than counting on this device, learn symptoms I mentioned several times earlier in the blog, and bring the victim to the hospital as soon as possible!<br />
The USA Today reported liked the work, but the questions I have are not addressed in the reporter's article. Therefore, I cannot make any other recommendations but to wait until details of this scientific research are published for free, so that we all can judge for ourselves. <br />
Considering that medical business is booming, and there is a bias toward profit among some doctors, it is prudent to go through all research yourself before you allow a treatment to be applied to your loved one. For cases of stroke, read info before stroke happens. Alex Villepiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777616110527909798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520917762995105227.post-8105490766034919852014-06-28T11:49:00.002-07:002014-06-28T11:49:10.168-07:00Post stroke diagnosis<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOLUpCc_HuZapyNCc6fxae6SvJuupKUlPNZOuK-kfGp96T0UdoIKyoomrZxTKyeCjbioLrU5V3oqFvTS5QOCUS6SwelDLskPTBvnOX5RzpjNlQECkXimBXiHJDzRo6DfdwkG-4v-66EbL/s1600/21376.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOLUpCc_HuZapyNCc6fxae6SvJuupKUlPNZOuK-kfGp96T0UdoIKyoomrZxTKyeCjbioLrU5V3oqFvTS5QOCUS6SwelDLskPTBvnOX5RzpjNlQECkXimBXiHJDzRo6DfdwkG-4v-66EbL/s1600/21376.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to stroke.org</td></tr>
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If you or your loved one had cryptogenic stroke, it is crucial to establish does survivor has an atrial fibrillation. Discovering it on time improves your chances of recovery and preventing the repeat stroke. <br />
Current guidelines for care in these cases call for at least 24 hours of electrocardiographic monitoring after an ischemic stroke. Recently a <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1313600">new research</a> was done to determine does the long-term monitoring improves detection of the atrial fibrillation.<br />
Researchers determined that chances of diagnosing atrial fibrillation within patients who were followed first by electrocardiographic monitoring for recommended time and then for the next half a year with insertable cardiac monitor increased around 6 times. Same increase happened when patients were followed for a year.<br />
So, if you or your loved one had ischemic stroke ask for a continuation of monitoring with insertable cardiac monitor for at least 6 months (and, of course, if your medical insurance allows it). Alex Villepiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777616110527909798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520917762995105227.post-41006661829587845722014-06-21T11:56:00.001-07:002014-06-21T11:56:04.140-07:00Aspirin and Atrial Fibrillation<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7XrZaBKA6_Cota_8ZB3OfyIZ0pt_WMs5ccFYf3dc_LjoGWV3PAoFHkENEKW-leW9kObaDSIK6N1X3IXRd7hdUrODcdKvjRmz0T9PXoKNYhrLaG3nVl2_4JdxyebZA_dz3qfYmPGp9WYD/s1600/_75392341_aspirin_tablets,_artwork-spl-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7XrZaBKA6_Cota_8ZB3OfyIZ0pt_WMs5ccFYf3dc_LjoGWV3PAoFHkENEKW-leW9kObaDSIK6N1X3IXRd7hdUrODcdKvjRmz0T9PXoKNYhrLaG3nVl2_4JdxyebZA_dz3qfYmPGp9WYD/s1600/_75392341_aspirin_tablets,_artwork-spl-1.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to BBC, UK</td></tr>
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Aspirin is common preventive drug for patients with Atrial Fibrillation, which causes an irregular heartbeat. This means that the heart does not work as good as it should so blood clots can form, which in turn, increases the risk of a stroke.<br />
Many patients with that condition used aspirin as a preventive drug.<br />
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However, mounting evidence shows that aspirin benefits are too small compared with other treatments. So if you are taking aspirin as a preventative talk with your doctor about alternative treatment. <br />
In <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/health-27760736">UK, National Institute of Health and Care Excellence issued a new guideline</a> that urge doctors to prescribe some other blood thinner instead of aspirin to the patients with Atrial Fibrillation<br />
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Alex Villepiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777616110527909798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520917762995105227.post-50026293046429455972014-06-14T13:46:00.004-07:002014-06-14T13:46:38.056-07:00Before is too late<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimor585CJ3GtrbSCgTPd7hr0PKpw-xObI0liEIqyxpvh_fNOSCSnkjoSWxtot-ieiybyncN7VaD921qR3LJDVrNmePDj6uEkRxVNNiEOB0vdnwrLnEZr73921bx_XGfPQwiFDBfTbrxuAz/s1600/DSC_7291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimor585CJ3GtrbSCgTPd7hr0PKpw-xObI0liEIqyxpvh_fNOSCSnkjoSWxtot-ieiybyncN7VaD921qR3LJDVrNmePDj6uEkRxVNNiEOB0vdnwrLnEZr73921bx_XGfPQwiFDBfTbrxuAz/s1600/DSC_7291.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to: Andrej Andjic</td></tr>
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The culture from which I'm coming from has a tad complicated funeral customs. One of the customs is dragging around for more than 1500 years in this culture. That custom has to do with the ceremonies that are supposed to be held on various time interval during the first year after the death. Today is one of those ceremonial days. And I decided to go slightly off topic for today's blog post.<br />
After my mother had passed away from a stroke, I was the one who went through her things and correspondence. And among those I found parts of correspondence that show exactly how much my mother was proud of me, how big her love for me was.<br />
Unfortunately, she was not a person who could easily express her emotions. And now I'm sorry for all missed opportunities. A good part of the grief I feel is thinking about all the little things I would share with her. But, now is too late. <br />
So, learn from my sad example, and go to your loved one and tell them exactly how much you love them, how much they mean to you. Do not wait till is too late. Alex Villepiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777616110527909798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520917762995105227.post-85081869454632151062014-06-08T07:03:00.001-07:002014-06-08T07:03:06.520-07:00Events for strokeThis Sunday, if you're in Philadelphia you can join '<a href="http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/06/05/hear-philly-strides-for-stroke-turns-20/">Strides for Stroke</a>.'<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbZLhyXvL4G831SgVt0OG3qIkrPZAE8iSHTgwjmTpNsVEHO6c6WD8ZsDRHCislnyHBdU6onb2Dw9Du2VbDIVF7OQfoMTg2DLnNX2NLZArKhEtuLjw6x_DJ9OWBvBI8osNMeYU3r6kYZs4/s1600/SEPA_Walking_Group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbZLhyXvL4G831SgVt0OG3qIkrPZAE8iSHTgwjmTpNsVEHO6c6WD8ZsDRHCislnyHBdU6onb2Dw9Du2VbDIVF7OQfoMTg2DLnNX2NLZArKhEtuLjw6x_DJ9OWBvBI8osNMeYU3r6kYZs4/s1600/SEPA_Walking_Group.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SEPA walking group thanks to:<br />http://sites.duke.edu/latch/ </td></tr>
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Many survivors have a hard time with mobility. Depending on where the stroke hit the brain, parts of the body can end up being paralyzed. However, recovery is possible, because brain tends to re-wire the dead part. And for brain to do so, regular exercises are a must. Therefore, many survivors or families of stroke victims tend to push some kind of symbolic activity to increase awareness about the stroke and take some exercises. </div>
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I started with one of those symbolic walks too, this year. As every beginning, it was a small event, just one more person appeared beside my own family, but I do not plan to give up. Next year, I'll ramp up the campaign about the walk and hopefully get some more people to join me.Alex Villepiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777616110527909798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520917762995105227.post-79746017510559772422014-05-28T15:24:00.005-07:002014-05-28T15:24:38.847-07:00Stroke from Neuroscience point of view. Recently I started Coursera course: <a href="https://class.coursera.org/neurobio-001/">Understanding the Brain</a>, of course to learn about brain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfx1eY1HquHSX9al9OMXT7PlJHVYQ02lMSjpQDU5rVLiz3WTPuQwjkBSJQRUKUyitkxwQ607cB6FzhnrIFFZu-B9qmvDN73MbsWvv5dCAv21CCcL9yyXoKvBd7cF46DuzYeonmjiQm-7-/s1600/BrainInHandsColourTranspare.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfx1eY1HquHSX9al9OMXT7PlJHVYQ02lMSjpQDU5rVLiz3WTPuQwjkBSJQRUKUyitkxwQ607cB6FzhnrIFFZu-B9qmvDN73MbsWvv5dCAv21CCcL9yyXoKvBd7cF46DuzYeonmjiQm-7-/s1600/BrainInHandsColourTranspare.png" height="183" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to http://howyourbrainworks.net/ </td></tr>
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As the part of the course there was a module about strokes.<br />
So, if you wish, you can watch these videos and learn about strokes from Neuroscience point of view.<br />
For me, that module was hard to go through. I learned in details what happened to my mother.<br />
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Anyway, here are the links to those lessons:<br />
<a href="https://class.coursera.org/neurobio-001/lecture/113">Stroke Types</a><br />
<a href="https://class.coursera.org/neurobio-001/lecture/115">Stroke Effects</a><br />
<a href="https://class.coursera.org/neurobio-001/lecture/117">Common Forebrain Strokes</a><br />
<a href="https://class.coursera.org/neurobio-001/lecture/119">Other types of Bleeds</a><br />
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I would urge you to watch the whole course, it helps a lot to understand the brain and how brain works.Alex Villepiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777616110527909798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520917762995105227.post-73252455622177043022014-05-26T11:14:00.001-07:002014-05-26T11:14:05.179-07:00The person behind motivation for this blogI started this blog in the name of my mother memory, but I never posted here how grand she was. So here it is:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvzvPQ95scVBRxrLZcI5-ik__Nd_QV3BNI2TPs3dwUj5UCYEwKoNkE3P-WvBcQCZ-wKkQJf2HWDSJpuvyA06sJMdnMzKlkqr4oWmT09Tt788DdAW84uSxZ_ZkfvnvA-DfSAj2q7qMyKr-/s1600/DSC_9676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvzvPQ95scVBRxrLZcI5-ik__Nd_QV3BNI2TPs3dwUj5UCYEwKoNkE3P-WvBcQCZ-wKkQJf2HWDSJpuvyA06sJMdnMzKlkqr4oWmT09Tt788DdAW84uSxZ_ZkfvnvA-DfSAj2q7qMyKr-/s1600/DSC_9676.jpg" height="267" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to Andrej Andic photography</td></tr>
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My mother, Milica ANĐIĆ, 66, died on Wednesday December 11, 2013 after several severe strokes.<br />
Milica was born on 9 August 1947 in Cacak, Serbia to Rosa and Velimir Mačkić, as the oldest daughter. She graduated from Economic high school, Banjaluka in 1966, and graduated from Economic college Bihac in 1988. She worked in local Sindikat, and companies Merkur and Boska.<br />
She will be remembered by her great drive to help people and the all the effort she invested in that goal. Her greatest contribution to her community was her activity in the movement for rights of workers and rights of women and of course her knowledge of alternative medicine. Her efforts improved lives of many. Throughout her life she maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many, who even now are being changed by her witness of constant nurturing love and faith. Her gifts to us will never be forgotten.<br />
She married Mico ANĐIĆ in 1970, and during 43 years of marriage she has shown unparalleled dedication and a tireless Christian example as a wife and mother. Her pure heart and devotion helped her to truly care of family and friends, primarily through her engagement in alternative medicine and then with the preparation of the delicious meals and various other crafts. Milica has shaped her spirituality through her tireless Christian example, and also through participation in the many activities of the Orthodox Church.<br />
Her big heart was also visible in the care and attention she gave to her many parrots, which often she took in as very ill, helped them to recover and gave them almost perfect conditions for life.<br />
<br />
This obituary written by yours truly, Aleksandra A. Villepique, in honor of my beloved mother. And in her honour, in her memory, I decided to start this blog as an attempt to increase the awareness about stroke and thus save someone else. <br />
<br />
As additional memorials, her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mica.andjic">Facebook profile</a> is transformed into a place where her memory is kept alive. Go ahead, have a nosy there, the whole profile is public.Alex Villepiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777616110527909798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520917762995105227.post-77110078732738708182014-05-21T15:27:00.000-07:002014-05-21T15:27:00.658-07:00Unique Stroke Symptoms in Women<h1>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is important to recognize stroke symptoms and act quickly. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZWoUB2P97l2Eg3lMwXX2dAydKmW_TvIpr63g4onA6uVHKLBvYNApCN1poYWrkf653GLWpm6lSnRiy9L6BO-ci7aRkCYU4Ujhwam97ASSVBONVDm9gW2BE3ZTPWjqQw7uPwobIkXnehi-/s1600/donne-e-ictus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZWoUB2P97l2Eg3lMwXX2dAydKmW_TvIpr63g4onA6uVHKLBvYNApCN1poYWrkf653GLWpm6lSnRiy9L6BO-ci7aRkCYU4Ujhwam97ASSVBONVDm9gW2BE3ZTPWjqQw7uPwobIkXnehi-/s1600/donne-e-ictus.jpg" height="320" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to: www.west-info.eu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></h1>
<div class="subheading">
There are common stroke symptoms seen in both men and women:</div>
<ul>
<li>Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg -- especially on one side of the body</li>
<li>Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding</li>
<li>Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes</li>
<li>Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination</li>
<li>Sudden severe headache with no known cause</li>
</ul>
<div class="subheading">
However, women may report unique stroke symptoms:</div>
<ul>
<li>sudden face and limb pain</li>
<li>sudden hiccups</li>
<li>sudden nausea</li>
<li>sudden general weakness</li>
<li>sudden chest pain</li>
<li>sudden shortness of breath</li>
<li>sudden palpitations</li>
</ul>
<h2>
Call 9-1-1 immediately if you have any of these symptoms</h2>
Every minute counts for stroke patients and acting F.A.S.T. can lead
patients to the stroke treatments they desperately need. The most
effective stroke treatments are only available if the stroke is
recognized and diagnosed within the first three hours of the first
symptoms.<br />
<h2>
If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do this simple test:</h2>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<strong>F—FACE:</strong> Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<strong>A—ARMS:</strong> Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<strong>S—SPEECH:</strong> Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<strong>T—TIME:</strong> If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.</div>
<span class="subheading">NOTE THE TIME WHEN ANY SYMPTOMS FIRST APPEAR.</span> If given within <em>three hours</em>
of the first symptom, there is an FDA-approved clot-buster medication
that may reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.
<br />
Learn as many stroke symptoms as possible so you can recognize stroke as <strong>FAST</strong> as possible.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<br />
“Understanding the warning signs is important because there are
treatments we can give for stroke. If you understand the warning signs
and get to the hospital quickly we can even possibly reverse the stroke
itself,” says Dr. Dawn Kleindorfer, assistant professor of neurology at
University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. <br />
<br />
(Cited from: h<a href="http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=WOMSYMP">http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=WOMSYMP</a>)Alex Villepiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777616110527909798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520917762995105227.post-31997941319137311662014-05-12T08:49:00.002-07:002014-05-12T08:49:54.983-07:00Am I at risk for stroke?Living a healthy and active lifestyle will minimize your risk factors for stroke with the additional benefit of improving your overall health. There are some additional factors you can control to reduce your risk of stroke:<br />
<br />
High blood pressure. This is one of the most common risk factor for stroke. Majority of people can control their pressure through a healthy diet, regular exercise and medication prescribed by a doctor. Almost one-third of adults with high blood pressure aren’t aware they have it. So it is smart to have your blood pressure checked regularly.<br />
<br />
High cholesterol. When too much cholesterol builds up in the arteries, it can block normal blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke. Again, eating healthy will manage cholesterol levels in most people. You can do that by eating a healthy, low-fat diet that includes vegetables, fruits, lean meats, such as chicken and fish, and low-fat dairy products.<br />
<br />
Obesity and lack of physical exercise. Being overweight or obese strains the circulatory system and increases your risk for stroke. Again, healthy diet and exercise can help. There are few simple tricks you can incorporate. Exercise five times a week, and yes, half an hour of a walking counts. Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Stick to a low-sodium diet that is low in calories, saturated and trans fats, and cholesterol.<br />
<br />
<br />
Smoking. Smoking doubles your risk of stroke. Ask the doctor for help. Today there are medications and Nicotine replacement therapy that will help you to stop smoking.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, there are some risk factors that are uncontrollable:<br />
<br />
Being over the age of 55<br />
<br />
Being male<br />
<br />
Being African-American, Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander<br />
<br />
Having a family history of stroke (your direct genetical ancestors, genetical siblings)Alex Villepiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777616110527909798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520917762995105227.post-17460438064612821352014-05-01T07:49:00.002-07:002014-05-01T07:49:31.611-07:00Awareness month.This month is awareness month for Stroke. So each of my posts will be accompanied for donation or action plead.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyu9okfh2uR2WYAJvCGD2dTV2uY4y-TwF7i2vhCy8q8HlfFwozh4IsQNM-bIepj9PCTU9gDW7J2uZ1iz3ourqkRhdqwbE-I6yhXr1WmJ1nOlCFcaKtjy7X6C5AR65NF9dhmuHB-cnyuIR/s1600/493x335_understanding_stroke_slideshow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyu9okfh2uR2WYAJvCGD2dTV2uY4y-TwF7i2vhCy8q8HlfFwozh4IsQNM-bIepj9PCTU9gDW7J2uZ1iz3ourqkRhdqwbE-I6yhXr1WmJ1nOlCFcaKtjy7X6C5AR65NF9dhmuHB-cnyuIR/s1600/493x335_understanding_stroke_slideshow.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to WebMD</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also, I was thinking about introducing adds to this blog. The money blog would earn from each click on the add would be donated to <a href="http://www.stroke.org/site/PageNavigator/HOME" target="_blank">National Stroke Association</a>. I would appreciate your comments about introducing adds. I, personally, hate such adds and usually ignore them on principle. It is the first time I'm entertaining the thought about introducing them, since every click on them would mean donation to the Stroke research.<br />
<br />
Please comment if you have an opinion about adding ads to this site.<br />
And moreover, visit <a href="http://www.stroke.org/site/PageNavigator/HOME" target="_blank">National Stroke Association</a> during this month and either donate or distribute their material. You might save someone's life.Alex Villepiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777616110527909798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520917762995105227.post-17284749960800493132014-04-26T07:39:00.004-07:002014-04-27T09:49:55.805-07:00Useful trinketToday, I will offer you something that is useful to have, especially if you have a survivor in your family, or person who is at the significant risk of stroke.<br />
<br />
It is a neat card that overviews the FAST method of the stroke detection. A card that you can print out, fold and carry with you.<br />
You can find pdf version of a document <a href="http://www.stroke.org/site/DocServer/FAST_walletCard_2011.pdf?docID=8342" target="_blank">here</a>. And you can see what you will get on the image here in this post.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGGg2gDAFtzYrlChEbMJ0xeGcrCeinlCm3ffV_q2Pg7wmrN6mDYN9_JCG01HPOIPue2j3odHJrGFLLUY0Gr3k3BhXKiPHE3bCABkpLM84LeRZSamK7bYmxLRy6vgGrI-5KX_q8boAjJ1s/s1600/FAST_walletCard_2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGGg2gDAFtzYrlChEbMJ0xeGcrCeinlCm3ffV_q2Pg7wmrN6mDYN9_JCG01HPOIPue2j3odHJrGFLLUY0Gr3k3BhXKiPHE3bCABkpLM84LeRZSamK7bYmxLRy6vgGrI-5KX_q8boAjJ1s/s1600/FAST_walletCard_2011.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
Although I hope you will never have to use it, this little card is good to have around.<br />
Just in case.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
(<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/f9j5govhbliop81/kartica.pdf" target="_blank">Prevedena kartica</a>)Alex Villepiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777616110527909798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520917762995105227.post-77414093035232086322014-04-23T08:58:00.000-07:002014-04-23T08:58:07.938-07:00Stroke symptoms - iconographic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPtcRinh2g3d4eCocsFQVsVoB5Gc1K9Qnf1P85IB-U-Eg0AGt92etOIpDbtlEN6Tn8zXiqKuBfQ4UDbhBniWtWfOjiIvElD2rmvsl8vgKlrtZMwk0NiIjBZbiYiasbwGJ5pUh8NJ5_Yhf/s1600/SymptomsPoster_ltr_size.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPtcRinh2g3d4eCocsFQVsVoB5Gc1K9Qnf1P85IB-U-Eg0AGt92etOIpDbtlEN6Tn8zXiqKuBfQ4UDbhBniWtWfOjiIvElD2rmvsl8vgKlrtZMwk0NiIjBZbiYiasbwGJ5pUh8NJ5_Yhf/s1600/SymptomsPoster_ltr_size.png" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />Alex Villepiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777616110527909798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520917762995105227.post-52088643114259906142014-04-14T10:15:00.003-07:002014-04-14T10:18:28.277-07:00Stroke 101 Fact Sheet<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<ul style="list-style-type: none;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">* Stroke is an emergency and a </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14pt;">brain attack</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">, cutting off vital blood flow and
oxygen to the brain.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">* In the United States, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death, killing over
133,000 people each year, and a leading cause of serious, long-term adult
disability.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">* There are an estimated </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14pt;">7,000,000 stroke survivors </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">in the U.S. over age 20.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">* Approximately </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14pt;">795,000 strokes </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">will occur this year, one occurring every 40</span></li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">seconds, and taking a life approximately every four minutes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">* Stroke can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of race, sex or age.</span></li>
<li>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">* </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">From 1998 to 2008, the annual stroke death rate fell approximately 35
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">percent, and the actual number of deaths fell by 19 percent.
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">* </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Approximately </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">55,000 more women than men </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">have a stroke each year.
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">* </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">African Americans have almost twice the risk </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">of first-ever stroke compared
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">with whites.
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">* </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Types of Stroke:
</span><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: none;">
<li>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">- </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Ischemic stroke </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">occurs when arteries are blocked by blood clots or by the
gradual build-up of plaque and other fatty deposits. About 87 percent of all
strokes are ischemic.
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: 'Symbol'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">- </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Hemorrhagic stroke </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">occurs when a blood vessel in the brain breaks
leaking blood into the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes account for thirteen
percent of all strokes, yet are responsible for more than thirty percent of all
stroke deaths.
</span><br />
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: 'Symbol'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">* </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Two million brain cells die every minute during stroke, increasing risk of
permanent brain damage, disability or death. Recognizing symptoms and
</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">acting FAST </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">to get medical attention can save a life and limit disabilities.
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: 'Symbol'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">* </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">The prevalence of transient ischemic attacks (TIA </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">– “mini strokes”</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">) increases
with age. Up to 40 percent of all people who suffer a TIA will go on to
experience a stroke.
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: 'Symbol'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">* </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Women are twice as likely to die from stroke than breast cancer annually.
</span><br />
</li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: 'Symbol'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">* </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">The estimated direct and indirect cost of stroke in the United States in 2010 is </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">$73.7 billion.</span><br />
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<h3>
<span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Stroke is an Emergency. Act FAST and Call 9-1-1
</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Few in the U.S. know the warning signs of stroke. Learning them </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">– </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">and acting
FAST when they occur </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">– </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">could save your life or the life of a loved one.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><span style="color: #990000;">Use the FAST test to remember warning signs of stroke.
</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><span style="color: #990000;">F = FACE<br />
A = ARMS<br />
S = SPEECH
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><span style="color: #990000;">T = TIME
</span></span></div>
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face
droop?
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm
drift downward?
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does the
speech sound<br />
slurred or strange?
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">If you observe any of these signs (independently or
together),<br />
call 9-1-1immediately.
</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><b><br /></b></span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<h3>
<span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Reducing Stroke Risk
</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Many risk factors are beyond your control, including being over age 55, being a
male, being African-American, having diabetes, and having a family history of
stroke. If you have one or more of these risk factors, it is even more important
that you learn about the lifestyle and medical changes you can make to prevent a
stroke. However, everyone should do what they can to reduce their risk for stroke
</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">– </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">learn more by reading and following the </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Stroke Prevention Guidelines </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">below.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Medical stroke risk factors include:</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Previous stroke, previous episode of TIA (or mini stroke), high cholesterol, high
blood pressure, heart disease, atrial fibrillation and carotid artery disease. These
risk factors can be controlled and managed with the help of a healthcare
professional.
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 3">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Lifestyle stroke risk factors include:
</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Smoking, being overweight and drinking too much alcohol. You can control these
risk factors by quitting smoking, exercising regularly, watching what and how
much you eat and limiting alcohol consumption.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">Stroke Prevention Guidelines
</span></h3>
<ol style="list-style-type: decimal;">
<li style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><i><b>Know blood pressure (hypertension) - </b></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">High blood pressure is a major stroke risk factor if left untreated. Have blood
pressure checked yearly by a doctor or at health fairs, a local pharmacy or
supermarket or with an automatic blood pressure machine.</span><br />
</li>
<li style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><i><b>Identify atrial fibrillation (Afib) - </b></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Afib is an abnormal heartbeat that can increase stroke risk by 500 percent.
Afib can cause blood to pool in the heart and may form a clot and cause a
stroke. A doctor must diagnose and treat Afib.</span><br />
</li>
<li style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><i><b>Stop smoking- </b></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Smoking doubles the risk of stroke. It damages blood vessel walls, speeds up
artery clogging, raises blood pressure and makes the heart work harder.
Stopping smoking today will immediately begin to decrease risk.</span><br />
</li>
<li style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><i><b>Control alcohol use - </b></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Alcohol use has been linked to stroke in many studies. Most doctors
recommend not drinking or drinking only in moderation </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">– </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">no more than two
drinks each day. Remember that alcohol can negatively interact with other
drugs you are taking.</span><br />
</li>
<li style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><i><b>Know cholesterol levels - </b></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Cholesterol is a fatty substance in blood that is made by the body. It also
comes in food. High cholesterol levels can clog arteries and cause a stroke.
See a doctor if your total cholesterol level is more than 200.</span><br />
</li>
<li style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><b><i>Control diabetes - </i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Many people with diabetes have health problems that are also stroke risk
factors. Your doctor can prescribe a nutrition program, lifestyle changes and
medicine to help control your diabetes.</span><br />
</li>
<li style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><b><i>Manage exercise and diet</i></b> - </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Excess weight strains the circulatory system. Exercise five times a week.
Maintain a diet low in calories, salt, saturated and trans fats and cholesterol.
Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i><b>Treat circulation problems - </b></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Fatty deposits can block arteries carrying blood to the brain and lead to a
stroke. Other problems such as sickle cell disease or severe anemia should
be treated.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14.000000pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b><i>Act FAST at the first warning sign of stroke - </i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">If you have any stroke symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. </span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">(SOURCE: <a href="http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=aware_eKit" target="_blank">National Stroke Association</a>)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 19px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizdJgJ-fndQoa2X3M_ZbT_4RcnGrZp5NaJgCOu6pytdOX-E-j70k3fRmbYJUOA_nqRgGno7hyphenhyphenQhYMqbN8aF4cDHfk-Wrv_1G3U7uI83kjGyzn_aV_xT9wul8v84T5FgRToxCSFjiQi9-d/s1600/111132707.10228777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizdJgJ-fndQoa2X3M_ZbT_4RcnGrZp5NaJgCOu6pytdOX-E-j70k3fRmbYJUOA_nqRgGno7hyphenhyphenQhYMqbN8aF4cDHfk-Wrv_1G3U7uI83kjGyzn_aV_xT9wul8v84T5FgRToxCSFjiQi9-d/s1600/111132707.10228777.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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Alex Villepiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777616110527909798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520917762995105227.post-35016451343295827872014-04-05T08:04:00.002-07:002014-04-05T08:04:41.735-07:00Common symptoms with an easy iconographic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBEPH6-qEePJJqWkLVMfz3bxnkyXPC737hepjmmIHzgOj7ON32AP2_86ADiKhUiOfaMdyI3Q430qYNKH32kzpquA02zuDyQKqsPeNi56sKusaX1KS60Dk0xVvyBqwFeSP7xoW4O_Z_89y/s1600/stroke_infographic_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBEPH6-qEePJJqWkLVMfz3bxnkyXPC737hepjmmIHzgOj7ON32AP2_86ADiKhUiOfaMdyI3Q430qYNKH32kzpquA02zuDyQKqsPeNi56sKusaX1KS60Dk0xVvyBqwFeSP7xoW4O_Z_89y/s1600/stroke_infographic_web.jpg" height="640" width="519" /></a></div>
<br />Alex Villepiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777616110527909798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3520917762995105227.post-61010197364756892502014-04-04T09:14:00.000-07:002014-04-04T09:14:11.915-07:00Ignorance kills!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDv8rLuvs5PHYKO-li11i4Wiq4fQ8iGL8bM7yzae2SXiVRl0tPd2xBpwWLMgBeUI1uuQVTAQIolTPopcIVFq4MmHQRd-52_h0twSXvWhvDOLI462Kp8mb8eEXU4x9M8gShSP6UGe4afB28/s1600/DSC_9683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDv8rLuvs5PHYKO-li11i4Wiq4fQ8iGL8bM7yzae2SXiVRl0tPd2xBpwWLMgBeUI1uuQVTAQIolTPopcIVFq4MmHQRd-52_h0twSXvWhvDOLI462Kp8mb8eEXU4x9M8gShSP6UGe4afB28/s1600/DSC_9683.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
My mother died from stroke. And since that day my brother and I are plagued with those ‘what if’ scenarios. <br />
Just, in our case there are few ‘what if’ that are justified. Let me explain.<br />
<br />
Four years ago my father had a stroke, a kind that is usually presented in films. Part of his face drooped, he could not move a corner of his lips. Easy to detect, easy to react. So he was whisked away to the hospital that same day. Treatment started and he started recovering. We informed all his siblings, who gathered around him, helping him recover. Today, one cannot tell he ever had a stroke. He had a full recovery. No consequences at all. <br />
<br />
But with my mother it was different. Her stroke was in December, 2013, and it did not had ‘Hollywood’ like symptoms. Instead, my mother just got strong persistent headache. That’s it. It took days for other symptoms to appear, and slowness in her reactions was one of them. Our ignorance was the reason why it took five days before she went to the doctor. Although we had one survivor in the family, we did not know all the symptoms. And this is one of ‘what if’ that really sting. If we informed ourselves her treatment could start on time.<br />
Anyway, she was admitted to local hospital, and treatment started. It seemed like she is on the road of the recovery. Doctors were pleased with her progress.<br />
And now comes second ‘what if’, the one I’m personally guilty for. Doctors warned us that she should not be emotionally disturbed. And I thought, maybe if I inform my mother sister she will be supportive and help my mother recover fully. It was not to be. My aunt was unhappy by something absolutely trivial and complained about it to my mother. We learned about that incident from my mother, because she was curious about what really happened. A completely silly, trivial, unimportant event. Apparently this silly complaint was enough to make my mother blood pressure skyrockets and she had another stroke less than 24 hours after that complaint. That stroke killed her. <br />
<br />
Both our ‘what if’s’ are caused by ignorance. And both were easily preventable, if we just read a bit more about stroke. Please, inform yourself about symptoms and correct procedure for the recovery of stroke survivors, do not allow your loved one fall as a victim of ignorance. I am too late to help my mother, but I hope I will help someone else to survive, by sharing my story and raising the awareness about the stroke. <br />
<br />
Join us. Save someone’s life.<br />
To learn how go to:<a href="http://www.stroke.org/site/PageNavigator/HOME" target="_blank"> National Stroke Association</a>Alex Villepiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12777616110527909798noreply@blogger.com0