Stroke is the number 3 killer in the United States and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability.  A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carried oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked or bursts.  When this happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it starts to die.

Warning signs of a stroke include:

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

WITH STROKE, TIME LOST IS BRAIN LOST.  Learn the above warning signs and make sure your family can recognize stroke and act quickly.  If you have any of them, call 9-1-1 immediately.  What it took you a lifetime to learn can be lost in minutes.  Receiving treatment within 3 hours of symptoms can significantly minimize permanent disability.  Treat all symptoms seriously even if they last only a short time.

PREVENT STROKE:

    1. Don’t smoke
    2. Treat diabetes
    3. Eat a healthy diet
    4. Manage your cholesterol
    5. Be physically active
    6. Maintain a healthy weight
    7. Control high blood pressure
    8. Avoid excess stress
    9. Don’t drink too much alcohol
   10. Get regular medical checkups    

For more information call 1-888-4-STROKE or logon to www.StrokeAssociation.org 

Submitted by Julie Dietz R.N.
Public Health Nurse
La Crosse County Health Department