A New Symptom of Stroke: Recognize the Sign

ClipsOnline

We can all benefit from recognizing the 3 traditional symptoms and one newer indicator of a stroke. Younger people as well as seniors have been stricken.   A person you know or a stranger who exhibits these symptoms can be helped quickly if you call for help as soon as you notice.

One of our friends was in a restaurant with her husband when he began to have these symptoms.  She didn't recognize what was happening, but two nurses a few tables away noticed and immediately said, "He's having a stroke."  The stroke might have killed him if they hadn't immediately called 911 and rushed him to the hospital for treatment.  He's in physical therapy now with a long way to go to regain good health, but he and his wife have hope for the future.

"A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours, he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough."

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

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

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
                                
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

NEW SIGH OF A STROKE -------- Stick out Your Tongue       (Note:  snopes.com verifies that the first three signs are definite, and sticking out the tongue could also be an indicator, 
especially if one of the three indicators above is also apparent. 
See http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/stroke.asp  

 If the tongue is'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke. 

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this...sends it to 10 people; you can bet that

at least one life will be saved."

(The quoted cardiologist comments and stroke indicators come from an online article that has appeared in several locations.) 

(Our thanks to Karen for forwarding this 
fourth and possible sign of stroke to us
and to Joan H. for telling us about her friend.)