Wellness Words May 2015 Posted on May 28, 2015 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Wendy Chirieleison, MS EdCommunity Health EducatorDo You Know The Signs Of A Stroke? Think F.A.S.T.!May is American Stroke Month, the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s annual campaign to increase awareness of warning signs, and what to do should you or someone you know have a stroke.Stroke is the number four cause of death and leading cause of disability in the U.S. Many Americans do not think of stroke as a major health concern, even though every forty seconds someone in America has a stroke. The damaging effects of a stroke may be prevented if you know how to act upon the warning signs. Thinking F.A.S.T. can mean the difference between recovery and disability, or even death!WARNING SIGNSA stroke happens when a blood vessel is blocked or bursts and blood flow to the brain is stopped. Within just a few minutes of a stroke, brain cells begin to die. The most common sign of stroke is sudden weakness of the face, arm or leg, most often on one side of the body.Other warning signs include:Sudden numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech.Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.Sudden severe headache with no known cause.THINK F.A.S.T. AND ACT F.A.S.T.F.A.S.T. is an acronym used to help people recognize and remember the common stroke symptoms:F = FACEAsk the person to smile. Does one side of the face or mouth droop?A = ARMAsk the person to raise both arms. Does one drift downward?S = SPEECHAsk the person to repeat a simple phrase, such as ‘the sky is blue.’Does the speech sound slurred or strange?T = TIMEIf you observe any of these signs, it is time to Call 911!STROKE PREVENTIONKnow your numbers – Check your blood pressure regularly and talk to your doctor about your progress.Maintain a healthy weight – Get plenty of exercise and eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while limiting salt and foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol.Keep diabetes under control with a proper diet and medication if necessary.Talk to your doctor before making any diet and/or exercise changes.Quit smoking – Need help? Call the NYS Smokers’ Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS or visit nysmokefree.comKeep your total cholesterol below 200.Limit your alcohol intake.REMEMBER…A stroke is mostly preventable and treatable. Knowing the risks and thinking F.A.S.T are important, but taking steps to prevent a stroke are just as important.For more information, visit strokeassociation.org, contact your healthcare provider or HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at nlh.org, or visit our NEW wellness center at 2 Colonial Court in downtown Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
Wellness Words May 2014 Posted on May 14, 2014 by Dakota PikeHealthLink Littauer’sWELLNESS WORDSSubmitted by Wendy Chirieleison, MS EdCommunity Health Educator Do You Know The Signs Of A Stroke? Think F.A.S.T.!May is Stroke Awareness Month, the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s annual campaign to increase awareness that a stroke is something largely preventable if you know and act upon the risks and warning signs. Stroke is the number four cause of death and leading cause of disability in the U.S. Many Americans don’t think of stroke as a major health concern, even though every forty seconds someone in America has a stroke.Thinking F.A.S.T. can mean the difference between recovery and disability, or even death! A stroke happens when a blood vessel is blocked or bursts and blood flow to the brain is stopped. Within just a few minutes of a stroke, brain cells begin to die. F.A.S.T. is an acronym used to help people remember and recognize the signs of a stroke.F – Face Drooping: The face seems uneven and the person has a hard time smiling.A – Arm Weakness: One arm drifts down or they have difficulty raising both arms.S – Speech Difficulty: The person’s speech sounds strange or they have difficulty repeating a simple phrase like “the sky is blue.”T – Time: If you notice any of these signs, call 911 immediately!Additional signs of a stroke include sudden severe headache with no known cause; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; or sudden confusion or trouble understanding.“Knowing if you are at risk for stroke is highly important, because many risk factors can be modified and controlled,” said Jeffrey L. Saver M.D., professor of Neurology and Director of the Comprehensive Stroke Center at the University of California Los Angeles. Dr. Saver reports that the number one stroke risk factor is high blood pressure. Make sure you know your numbers, check your blood pressure regularly, and talk to your doctor about your progress.According to the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention and Control Program, there are several other risk factors for stroke including obesity, even being 20 pounds overweight can increase your risk of stroke significantly; diabetes that is not controlled with medication or a proper diet; and smoking, which increases your risk of having a stroke two to three times greater than a non-smoker.There are other things that you can do to help prevent a stroke. Check your cholesterol. If your total cholesterol is over 200, this puts you at risk for a stroke. Talk to your doctor about diet and exercise changes you can make to lower your cholesterol. Limit alcohol to small amounts, exercise every day for 30-60 minutes, and eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting salt and foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol.Remember that a stroke is preventable! Knowing if you are at risk and taking the proper steps to avoid having a stroke is important. To learn more about stroke prevention – including diet, the stroke risk factor quiz, or to download the F.A.S.T. mobile app – visit the American Stroke Association website at www.strokeassociation.org or call 1-888-478-7653.For more information, contact HealthLink Littauer at 736-1120. You can e-mail us at healthlink@nlh.org, see our website at nlh.org, or visit our wellness center at 213 Harrison Street Ext. in Johnstown, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. We’re your community health & wellness service of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home.
