Stoke hindsight
RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Thank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps, STR. Read and Learn!
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
to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE
(Coherently) (i.e. . It is sunny out today)
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
*NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this:
Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke. If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.