National Stroke Awareness Month

Undoubtedly a stroke can rock your world, in a bad way and for most people the term stroke in relation to them does not even occur.  There are seemingly any number of mysteries shrouding strokes, with no two being the same, both in the symptoms and the recovery process.


Since my stoke, I have done countless hours researching strokes along with potentially every imaginable cause, solution and prevention.  From my laymen terms, it seem like just about anything can cause a stroke, including too much or too little sleep.  Largely in the past, I have scoffed at going to the doctor finding them to generally be a waste of time.  Who knows my body better than me?  The body is an intricate 'machine' with numerous moving parts and working systems.  Even if you choose an alternate treatment program to a disease or problem a doctor can help you in identifying the problems and diseases early.


A stroke is a brain injury, a TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, which can bring with it innumerable side affects and conditions.  Do what you can to educate yourself, find out potential underlying problems and take action.  The investment of time in the forefront can save you a lot of hassle and lost enjoyment in the future.  As funny as it sounds, I was lucky with the outcome of my stroke, I can still walk, talk and think, not everyone can. 


A special thanks to my friend Connie, out in California, knowing of my stroke and learning of the national awareness month, went and set up a raffle for a gift basket with the proceeds to go to National Stroke Association.  Thanks for her help and efforts in helping!

Stroke Warning Signs

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

STROKE STATISTICS

• Stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S.
•  More than 143,579 people die iin U.S. from stroke
• Stroke is the leading cause of long term disability in the U.S.
• Each year, about 795,000 people suffer a stroke. About 600,000 of these are first attacks, and 185,000 are recurrent attacks.
• Nearly three-quarters of all strokes occur in people over the age of 65. The risk of having a stroke more than doubles each decade after the age of 55.
• Strokes can—and do—occur at ANY age. Nearly one quarter of strokes occur in people under the age of 65
• Stroke death rates are higher for African Americans than for whites, even at younger ages. 
• Among adults age 20 and older, the prevalence of stroke in 2005 was 6,500,000 (about 2,600,000 males and 3,900,000 females).
• On average, every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke.

 STROKE PREVENTION

1. Know your Blood Pressure 
2. Find out if you have atrial fibrallation.
3. If you smoke, stop
4. Drink alcohol in moderation
5. Find out if you have high choleterol
6. Find out if you are diabetic
7. Exercise
8. Enjoy a low sodium diet 
9. Check to see if you have circulation problems