OT Signs of Stroke, First Aid

Submitted: Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 06:04

ThreadID: 61593 Views:4275 Replies:6 FollowUps:15

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Wisey

I got this via email and I thought it might be helpful enough to pass it on. Not sure how factual this is, but it could be worth a shot.

STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters.... S..T.R.

A nurse sent this and encouraged me to post it and spread the word. I agree.

If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks. Seriously..

Please read:

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) .....she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.

Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die.... they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this...
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 was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Remember the '3' steps, STR . Read and Learn!

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 and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently, i.e. It is sunny out today)
R Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 000 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other ,that is also an indication of a stroke.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

I passed it on... will you?

Someone more knowledgeable might clarify this.

Andy

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Reply By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 07:26

Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 07:26

I have always been under the impression that this info is genuine and really useful. If anyone with real knowledge thinks this may not be so, I would like to know as well.

AnswerID: 324896

Reply By: Member No 1- Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 07:46

Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 07:46

copied from Better Health Vic Site
"The FAST test is an easy way to recognise and remember the signs of stroke or a TIA. Using the FAST test involves asking three simple questions. If the person has a problem with any of these functions, dial triple zero (000) for an ambulance immediately.

FAST stands for:
Facial weakness – can the person smile; have their mouth or eyes drooped?
Arm weakness – can the person raise both arms?
Speech difficulty – can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
Time to act – act FAST and call 000 immediately."

so it seems that what you have posted may be correct

AnswerID: 324899

Follow Up By: Wisey - Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 00:48

Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 00:48

MN1

3 simple Q's, much the same as the original post despite the negative drawn by ol'colone

onotsowiseone

FollowupID: 592135

Follow Up By: Member No 1- Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 11:05

Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 11:05

yep...he is somewhat negative

yep i was about to post what you say in yor reply 592134 below

being able to notice something must be better than not being able recognise the possible indicitive symptons. Even if you dont dont know first aid the ability to recognise that somting is amiss and act must be better than sitting on your ass continuing to drink around the BBQ

FollowupID: 592166

Reply By: MrBitchi (QLD) - Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 07:55

Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 07:55

What you have is the American version. In Australia we use the FAST test, as No 1 describes above.

National Stroke Foundation

AnswerID: 324900

Reply By: Member - MUZBRY (VIC) - Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 08:13

Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 08:13

Gday
I have had all those symtems. 12 yrs ago i had a stroke.
I never stopped going to work, it was a bit hairy driving and working, but my customers understood and were sympathetic.
Today all is ok. I take a few pills but that is a small price to pay .

Murray

Muzbry
Great place to be Mt Blue Rag 27/12/2012

Lifetime Member
My Profile Send Message

AnswerID: 324903

Follow Up By: Member No 1- Tuesday, Sep 16, 2008 at 08:10

Tuesday, Sep 16, 2008 at 08:10

my nephew (only 10 yrs younger than I ) has had one...he is partly paralized in his L Arm and wears a brace? and he speech has sufferd

My Dad had a fatal, and we suspect it was his second as he complained of a weak arm for several years before hand

So i guess i could go at anytime...:(

Keep well Murray

FollowupID: 592590

Follow Up By: Member - MUZBRY (VIC) - Tuesday, Sep 16, 2008 at 10:36

Tuesday, Sep 16, 2008 at 10:36

Gday no 1
My dad hd a few strokes , mum was not sympathetic and let him know.He was very sad for the last couple of years.We don't live near them, so older brother did what he could.There is a lot of hard work to get back to normal, but one never gets over it.
Murray

Muzbry
Great place to be Mt Blue Rag 27/12/2012

Lifetime Member
My Profile Send Message

FollowupID: 592598

Reply By: Member - Olcoolone (S.A) The O - Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 09:02

Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 09:02

Good to see another spam email is doing the traps once again.

It is a hoaxs....sorry.

These emails are a very basic type of a virus, they are annoying, they clog up systems and are misleading.

I suggest doing a first aid course.

http://www.hoax-slayer.com/identify-stroke.html

http://www.providence.org/Oregon/Programs_and_Services/Brain/stroke/AskAnExpert_Stroke_signs.htm

http://www.wikihow.com/Identify-if-Someone-Had-a-Stroke

(READ THE WARMING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WIKIHOW WEB SITE)

AnswerID: 324910

Follow Up By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 10:21

Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 10:21

Olcoolone
I read the refs you gave and I don't think the posted info can be described as a hoax. The Wikipedia warning refers to the accuracy level of similar tests when administered by non professionals over the phone. The original post and the Oz version posted later still seem like useful fast assessments. Obviously they are not 100% accurate and can miss stoikes, but as a quick, easily remembered guide for lay persons, I interpret the posts as being useful and if I saw these symptoms, I would be getting the subject to medical assistance asap.

FollowupID: 592035

Follow Up By: Member - Olcoolone (S.A) The O - Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 13:29

Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 13:29

It is like anything that is not right with the human body, you seek emergency treatment.

With the symptoms they have said to look for are only visible in a small percentage of people who have strokes.

If you followed their recommendations there is a good chance you will over look a stroke.

There are other symptoms to look at as well that are more accurate.

What they say to look out for is a small part of the actual clinical test method that should only be applied by someone who is trained to do so.

With this email it is giving someone enough information that could be dangerous.

Do the training and learn the correct method and you will not get into trouble.

You may find the person who has had the so called stroke hadn't had a stroke but an injury or another illness that you will over look that could them become life threating.

That is why they drum into you DRABCD principle so it lowers the chance of making a wrong decision.

People who know little little are more dangerous then people who know nothing.

So if you used this method what would you do next?

FollowupID: 592052

Follow Up By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 14:24

Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 14:24

I have two friends in the medical world. One trains nurses and the other is also involved in medical education at Flinders University. Both say this info is worthwhile. It isn't a treatment. It isn't 100% accurate. It is a useful indicator that the person should get expert medical attention as fast as possible and that what at first might look to be trivial. may, and I stress, may, be an indicator of a stroke. So to answer your question, faced with any of these symptoms I would be calling in the pros as fast as possible.
I just can't see this post as a "virus", which I think was your first reaction.

FollowupID: 592056

Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 16:14

Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 16:14

Gday Olcoolone,
I cant see how recognising a a few possible symptons of a stroke can be more dangerous than not recognising any at all???

I dont understand were DRABC comes into it either?
The example given...there was no danger, she was breathing and concious and her heart was pumping. Without looking for "STR" or the Australian version of (which Id say at guess didnt happen) she would have sounded alright.

Being a bit negetive arent we?

If I called the ambos everytime someone did a stagger at my place they would probably sue me .

Cheers
Hairy

FollowupID: 592064

Follow Up By: Member - Olcoolone (S.A) The O - Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 19:24

Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 19:24

No I'm not being negative and DRABC should be your first port of call in any situation.

You find a person who has who is not well, They are uncoordinated, their speech is not the best, the can't raise their arms and they can't smile....according to this the have had a stroke.

You think they have only had a stroke so all you can do is stand by and make sure they are safe and try and calm them down whilst you phone for an ambulance.

The ambulance is 30 minutes away.

Mean while the person becomes unconscious and you have heard this thing called ABC but would not have a clue what it is.

The ambulance arrives and you find the person who you were sure had a stroke didn't have a stroke but a snake bite, a heart attack, a fit, neck injury or had head trauma that you did not pick up on because you read this email and the email said those symptoms were a sign of stroke.

If they did have a stroke how do you position then, if a person has a heart attack do you position them the same way?

Always call an ambulance if unsure no matter what.

In first aid training they teach you a lot about assessing the situation before apply first aid.

My point is you think they might of had a stroke so you don't go looking for anything else that could be life threating.

FollowupID: 592092

Follow Up By: Wisey - Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 00:41

Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 00:41

O Wiseone Olcoolone

If there is a hoax part of the email it may be the story about the woman, but the rest of the "advice" is not a hoax.

As with any possible medical situation you try to ASSESS what the symptoms are or could possibly be and make a call as to wether further treatment may or may not be required in the best interest of the person/patient/p!sshead

(Qte) What they say to look out for is a
"____small part of the actual clinical test method_____"
that should only be applied by someone who is trained to do so.(QTE)

How can you carry out a full clinical test at a BBQ? A small part of the clinical test might help somone from further complications.
It's a start of assessing a possible medical situation or emergency in which case you will follow DRABC, as EVERYONE knows despite noone having training.

(QTE) You may find the person who has had the so called stroke hadn't had a stroke but an injury or another illness that you will over look that could them become life threating.(QTE)

If YOU sumise that they have "possibly" had a stroke then YOU will be also be assessing and monitoring the patient until the professionals arrive.

Thanyou for the reply

Onotsowiseone

FollowupID: 592134

Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 11:10

Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 11:10

"DRABC should be your first port of call in any situation." Yes I agree, and know one suggested it should nessessarily be your last.

No where I can see did anyone suggest you look for the stroke symptons and then stand back and do nothing else, In fact quite the opposite...The way I understood it, the post was saying If someone had known to look for these symptons they would have known to call an ambulance and they lady would be alive today.

"How can you carry out a full clinical test at a BBQ? "
Who suggested anything about that???? The idea is to call an ambulance, because the symptons point in the direction of a possible stroke victim.

"A small part of the clinical test might help somone from further complications."
Yeah??? How? I would have thought recognition of any serious problem would only trigger proffesional help?

"It's a start of assessing a possible medical situation or emergency in which case you will follow DRABC, as EVERYONE knows despite noone having training."

Hahahahaha, LMAO
Have you just done your senior first aid and written your self a Doctrine in Knowitalloligy?

All Wisey has done is point out the symptons of a medical condition to those who didnt know or have forgoten.
It could possibly save someones life one day...Maybe your own!

Can you get that stuff your on by the kilo, and whats it worth?

Hahahahahaha......
Cheers

FollowupID: 592167

Follow Up By: Wisey - Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 18:37

Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 18:37

No hairy you can't buy it, it's self inflicted and it comes naturally to those who are notsowise.

done a cple of FA courses but the knowledge has faded without use. Thanks for the reply

Andy

FollowupID: 592221

Follow Up By: Member No 1- Tuesday, Sep 16, 2008 at 08:02

Tuesday, Sep 16, 2008 at 08:02

Olcoolone,
did you watch Sunrise this morning
it was clearly pointed out that a stroke can strike anyone ..(even children) .....and ones ability to be able to utilize FAST May just Save A Life!

FollowupID: 592587

Follow Up By: Member No 1- Tuesday, Sep 16, 2008 at 08:04

Tuesday, Sep 16, 2008 at 08:04

and you dont need a 1st aid course!!!!

FollowupID: 592588

Reply By: Hairy (NT) - Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 15:58

Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 15:58

Gday Wisey,

Sounds like good advice.

Except of course if you drink with Handy.
He always staggers, dribbles and slurs.....Yes there probably is something wrong with him, but I dont think it is a stroke!
Hahahaha

Cheers
Hairy

AnswerID: 324961

Follow Up By: Wisey - Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 01:03

Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 01:03

You my friend are not funny, but,
I am Handy although not "always" staggering, dribbling or sllluuuuuurrrrrriiiinnnnnnggggg.
I'd love to have a beer with Hairy, I'd love to have a beer with Hair's, we'd drink in moderation and sssssslllllllllllllllluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

My Bro lives in Humpty Doo, lucky bugga

onotsowiseonesofftobed

FollowupID: 592136