[YAK] How to spot a stroke....maybe save a life

Jewelry Discussion
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Hi Folks…

It’s that time of the year (Happy Holidays, Folks) when we wind up
dealing with crowds, and famiy gatherings, and…we’re around more
people than usual…Big part of the retail year…

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the US…

A number of folks survive strokes…I’m one… For my foreseeable
future I’ll have to use a cane and a leg brace, and deal with an
efeectively useless right arm and hand… If I had known what was
going on…

So it behooves one to be able to recognize a stroke…not only to
help others, but in one’s own interests…

An article from the Alternet’s subject mailings today… Note:
Alternet.org is a progressive organization, a tad to the left…

Stroke don’t much care about politics, ethnicity, gender, or sexual
orientation…No discrimination…it kills and cripples across
boundaries…

Read more
http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/114499/

Hanuman’s Note:

Jill Bolte Taylor got a research opportunity few brain scientists
would wish for: She had a massive stroke, and watched as her brain
functions – motion, speech, self-awareness – shut down one by one.
An astonishing story.

Watch the talk:
http://tinyurl.com/3l9h9y

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In my world, the three tests presented are called the Cincinatti
Stroke Scale. I have been a paramedic for the past 40 years. Thank
you for allowing this presentation to be posted. If you have any of
the three, or see these in someone else, call your emergency medical
service immediately (911 in US; 999 in Europe).

Smile: ask the person to smile, if both sides of the mouth do not
curve up, call EMS.

Talk: ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, if any portion is
slurred, call EMS.

Raise: ask the person to raise his arms, if there is any inability
to do this, call EMS.

There is a three hour window for treatment from the beginning of
symptoms. Do not hesitate!

John
John Atwell Rasmussen, Ph.D.
Geologist and Gemologist
Rasmussen Gems and Jewelry
Web: www.rasmussengems.com
Blog: http://rasmussengems.ganoksin.com/blogs/

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I have some experience in this area, as part of a 5 year normal
brain aging study at UCSD. I was advised that between years 2 and 3,
there was abnormal “inconsistent with age” demyelination in the
brain. Scared, as my father had brain stroke dementia the last 3
years of his life, and I was his caregiver, I started research into
this.

Jill Bolte Taylor, was one I reached out to, and got a very positive
response from her. I continue to respond to every news item I find
in the area, and will continue to do so. I was able to determine that
from year 3 to 4, there was no progression, and that is good. What I
want to add to Gary and Hanuman’s messages, it I was warned to
reduce any and every stress to zero. Knowing that is a monumental
task, I work on it every minute of every day, and implore you all to
do the same.

You can cause a stroke or blow a blood vessel by allowing yourself
to get angry. Recognize your trigger points and work on ignoring
them, and above all, do NOT react. Let the other guy cut you off in
traffic, and resist any negative reaction. Encounter rudeness, well
it is really that individual’s problem. Smile, smile, smile. do it
often enough and it becomes second nature, and feels good as well.
Love your family, hug your children, cherish your grandchildren.

I did find myself stewing recently, and could see the negative
effect it was having on me. I need to more carefully follow my own
words, and will work on it.

Another remarkable thing about strokes are there is a potential to
recover loss of motion, by repetitive movement of the affective
area, arm or leg. The brain will imprint that movement upon another
area, and it has worked for many.

To all my Orchid friends, I value your friendship, and wish for you
all a good Holiday season, and a Wonderful, fruitful New Year.

Hugs,
Terrie

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John - thanks for this! My mother is the victim of two major and
numerous minor strokes, and the negative effect on quality of life is
significant. Don’t waste time dealing with these symptoms - and don’t
let the doctor/hospital ignore them either!!!

Beth Wicker

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I applaud this message. I am a six stoke survivor. The only remaining
effect that I have is a lopsided lower facial slant. Basically my
lips angle down on the right hand side. But it is due to the fast
response that friends had in noticing my signs. I was treated each
time within 2 hours. Memorize the signss, the life you save may be
your own.

Leslie

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To anyone living with the effects of a stroke, please follow
Hanuman’s advice and Google Jill Bolte Taylor, and watch her videos.
She had a massive stroke and sustained major trauma. It took her 8
years of intensive work in retraining other areas of the brain to
replace damaged ones. She has accomplished full recovery, back to
her level of ability before the stroke. Here is the on
her
book, from Amazon; Link to Amazon through Orchid to order this
wonderful book.

My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey
by Jill Bolte Taylor