RECOGNIZING A STROKE

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RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately,the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking 3 questions:

1. Ask the person to SMILE.
2. Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
3. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently - i.e., It is sunny out today)

If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call your emergency number immediately(000 in Australia) and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions. They presented theirconclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last February. Widespread use of this simple test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.