On average, one American dies from a stroke every four minutes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stroke, also referred to as a “brain attack,” is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. About 800,000 people have a stroke each year.

Lawrence Memorial Hospital is a major sponsor of WellCommons.

But what exactly is a stroke? A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing brain tissue to die. In the areas where tissues are affected, body and motor function are often lost. Speech, movement and memory are frequently impaired.

The severity of the loss varies based on a number of factors. The National Stroke Association states that some people recover completely from strokes, but more than two-thirds of survivors will have some type of disability.

Stroke: a medical emergency

Stroke is a medical emergency. Know the signs and symptoms of stroke because getting fast treatment is important to preventing death and disability from stroke. Stroke symptoms often include sudden:

• Numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg; especially on one side of the body
• Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Trouble seeing with one or both eyes
• Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Severe headache with no known cause

A great way to remember stroke symptoms is to think FAST.

• Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
• Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

It is vital to seek treatment as soon as symptoms appear and to note the time. If given within three hours of the first symptom, there is an approved clot-buster medication that may reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke. There are also two other types of stroke treatment available that might help reduce the effects of stroke.

What’s new in research?

The medical field is always searching for the best treatments, and the ultimate goal is to cure and/or prevent disease. One of the major organizations that invest in stroke research is the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. It conducts stroke research and clinical trials at its laboratories and clinics at the National Institutes of Health and through grants to major medical institutions across the country. Currently, these researchers are studying the stroke risk factors and the process of brain damage that results from stroke. Basic research has also focused on the genetics of stroke and stroke risk factors. Scientists are working to develop new and better ways to help the brain repair itself to restore important functions. New advances in imaging and rehabilitation have shown that the brain can compensate for function lost as a result of stroke.

LMH Senior Supper and Seminar

More stroke information is available at the LMH Senior Supper and Seminar, “Strike Back Against a Stroke,” presented by Dr. Rob Beck, Lawrence Neurology Specialists, on Tuesday, Sept. 16. The supper will be at 5 p.m. and the educational presentation at 6 p.m. Reservations are required for the meal 24 hours in advance. The meal is $5.50, and the seminar is free. Seating is limited.

Each month, LMH Community Education and LMH Dining Services (Unidine) offer a delicious three-course supper and a health seminar, presented by a local health expert. For more information or to enroll, call ConnectCare at 749-5800 or visit lmh.org.

Additional stroke information

For more information about stroke, visit these online resources:

cdc.gov/stroke/

ninds.nih.gov

stroke.org

Aynsley Anderson, MA, RN, is Community Education Coordinator at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, which is a major sponsor of WellCommons. She can be reached at aynsley.anderson@lmh.org.