Related Stories
- Natural ways to keep mature skin looking radiant and fresh in the Summer heat
- Lean on me
- Common kitchen ingredients for a healthy heart
- The cancers that everyone forgot
- Tango offers Parkinson’s sufferers relief
Most Popular
Notice (8): Undefined variable: most_viewed_stories [APP/views/stories/probus-display.ctp, line 49]Code | Context<?phpecho View::element('probus-stories-list', array('stories'=>$most_viewed_stories, 'mode'=>'most-popular','limit'=>4));$___viewFn = "/home/probus/domains/stagingblueplains/app-public/views/stories/probus-display.ctp" $___dataForView = array( "nextstoryurl" => "/ec099523", "publication" => array( "Story" => array(), "Publication" => array(), "Tag" => array(), "Tags" => array() ), "story_tagline" => "", "story" => array( "Story" => array(), "Publication" => array(), "Tag" => array(), "Tags" => array() ), "related_stories" => array( array(), array(), array(), array(), array() ) ) $loadHelpers = true $cached = false $cache = CacheHelper CacheHelper::$__replace = array CacheHelper::$__match = array CacheHelper::$cacheAction = NULL CacheHelper::$helpers = NULL CacheHelper::$base = "" CacheHelper::$webroot = "/" CacheHelper::$theme = NULL CacheHelper::$here = "/eab3c801/Stroke_awareness" CacheHelper::$params = array CacheHelper::$action = "display" CacheHelper::$plugin = NULL CacheHelper::$data = NULL CacheHelper::$namedArgs = NULL CacheHelper::$argSeparator = NULL CacheHelper::$validationErrors = NULL CacheHelper::$tags = array CacheHelper::$__tainted = NULL CacheHelper::$__cleaned = NULL $authentication = AuthenticationHelper AuthenticationHelper::$sessionKey = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$helpers = array AuthenticationHelper::$view = View object AuthenticationHelper::$base = "" AuthenticationHelper::$webroot = "/" AuthenticationHelper::$theme = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$here = "/eab3c801/Stroke_awareness" AuthenticationHelper::$params = array AuthenticationHelper::$action = "display" AuthenticationHelper::$plugin = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$data = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$namedArgs = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$argSeparator = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$validationErrors = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$tags = array AuthenticationHelper::$__tainted = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$__cleaned = NULL AuthenticationHelper::$Session = SessionHelper object $javascript = JavascriptHelper JavascriptHelper::$useNative = true JavascriptHelper::$enabled = true JavascriptHelper::$safe = false JavascriptHelper::$tags = array JavascriptHelper::$_blockOptions = array JavascriptHelper::$_cachedEvents = array JavascriptHelper::$_cacheEvents = false JavascriptHelper::$_cacheToFile = false JavascriptHelper::$_cacheAll = false JavascriptHelper::$_rules = array JavascriptHelper::$__scriptBuffer = NULL JavascriptHelper::$helpers = NULL JavascriptHelper::$base = "" JavascriptHelper::$webroot = "/" JavascriptHelper::$theme = NULL JavascriptHelper::$here = "/eab3c801/Stroke_awareness" JavascriptHelper::$params = array JavascriptHelper::$action = "display" JavascriptHelper::$plugin = NULL JavascriptHelper::$data = NULL JavascriptHelper::$namedArgs = NULL JavascriptHelper::$argSeparator = NULL JavascriptHelper::$validationErrors = NULL JavascriptHelper::$__tainted = NULL JavascriptHelper::$__cleaned = NULL $eHtml = eHtmlHelper eHtmlHelper::$helpers = array eHtmlHelper::$viewVars = array eHtmlHelper::$tags = array eHtmlHelper::$_crumbs = array eHtmlHelper::$__includedScripts = array eHtmlHelper::$_scriptBlockOptions = array eHtmlHelper::$__docTypes = array eHtmlHelper::$base = "" eHtmlHelper::$webroot = "/" eHtmlHelper::$theme = NULL eHtmlHelper::$here = "/eab3c801/Stroke_awareness" eHtmlHelper::$params = array eHtmlHelper::$action = "display" eHtmlHelper::$plugin = NULL eHtmlHelper::$data = NULL eHtmlHelper::$namedArgs = NULL eHtmlHelper::$argSeparator = NULL eHtmlHelper::$validationErrors = NULL eHtmlHelper::$__tainted = NULL eHtmlHelper::$__cleaned = NULL eHtmlHelper::$eForm = eFormHelper object eHtmlHelper::$javascript = JavascriptHelper object eHtmlHelper::$Authentication = AuthenticationHelper object $eJavascript = eJavascriptHelper eJavascriptHelper::$helpers = array eJavascriptHelper::$useNative = true eJavascriptHelper::$enabled = true eJavascriptHelper::$safe = false eJavascriptHelper::$tags = array eJavascriptHelper::$_blockOptions = array eJavascriptHelper::$_cachedEvents = array eJavascriptHelper::$_cacheEvents = false eJavascriptHelper::$_cacheToFile = false eJavascriptHelper::$_cacheAll = false eJavascriptHelper::$_rules = array eJavascriptHelper::$__scriptBuffer = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$base = "" eJavascriptHelper::$webroot = "/" eJavascriptHelper::$theme = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$here = "/eab3c801/Stroke_awareness" eJavascriptHelper::$params = array eJavascriptHelper::$action = "display" eJavascriptHelper::$plugin = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$data = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$namedArgs = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$argSeparator = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$validationErrors = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$__tainted = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$__cleaned = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$eHtml = eHtmlHelper object $eForm = eFormHelper eFormHelper::$helpers = array eFormHelper::$fieldset = array eFormHelper::$__options = array eFormHelper::$fields = array eFormHelper::$requestType = NULL eFormHelper::$defaultModel = NULL eFormHelper::$_inputDefaults = array eFormHelper::$base = "" eFormHelper::$webroot = "/" eFormHelper::$theme = NULL eFormHelper::$here = "/eab3c801/Stroke_awareness" eFormHelper::$params = array eFormHelper::$action = "display" eFormHelper::$plugin = NULL eFormHelper::$data = NULL eFormHelper::$namedArgs = NULL eFormHelper::$argSeparator = NULL eFormHelper::$validationErrors = NULL eFormHelper::$tags = array eFormHelper::$__tainted = NULL eFormHelper::$__cleaned = NULL eFormHelper::$Html = HtmlHelper object $tagCloud = TagCloudHelper TagCloudHelper::$helpers = array TagCloudHelper::$base = "" TagCloudHelper::$webroot = "/" TagCloudHelper::$theme = NULL TagCloudHelper::$here = "/eab3c801/Stroke_awareness" TagCloudHelper::$params = array TagCloudHelper::$action = "display" TagCloudHelper::$plugin = NULL TagCloudHelper::$data = NULL TagCloudHelper::$namedArgs = NULL TagCloudHelper::$argSeparator = NULL TagCloudHelper::$validationErrors = NULL TagCloudHelper::$tags = array TagCloudHelper::$__tainted = NULL TagCloudHelper::$__cleaned = NULL TagCloudHelper::$Html = HtmlHelper object $html = HtmlHelper HtmlHelper::$tags = array HtmlHelper::$_crumbs = array HtmlHelper::$__includedScripts = array HtmlHelper::$_scriptBlockOptions = array HtmlHelper::$__docTypes = array HtmlHelper::$helpers = NULL HtmlHelper::$base = "" HtmlHelper::$webroot = "/" HtmlHelper::$theme = NULL HtmlHelper::$here = "/eab3c801/Stroke_awareness" HtmlHelper::$params = array HtmlHelper::$action = "display" HtmlHelper::$plugin = NULL HtmlHelper::$data = NULL HtmlHelper::$namedArgs = NULL HtmlHelper::$argSeparator = NULL HtmlHelper::$validationErrors = NULL HtmlHelper::$__tainted = NULL HtmlHelper::$__cleaned = NULL $form = FormHelper FormHelper::$helpers = array FormHelper::$fieldset = array FormHelper::$__options = array FormHelper::$fields = array FormHelper::$requestType = NULL FormHelper::$defaultModel = NULL FormHelper::$_inputDefaults = array FormHelper::$base = "" FormHelper::$webroot = "/" FormHelper::$theme = NULL FormHelper::$here = "/eab3c801/Stroke_awareness" FormHelper::$params = array FormHelper::$action = "display" FormHelper::$plugin = NULL FormHelper::$data = NULL FormHelper::$namedArgs = NULL FormHelper::$argSeparator = NULL FormHelper::$validationErrors = NULL FormHelper::$tags = array FormHelper::$__tainted = NULL FormHelper::$__cleaned = NULL FormHelper::$Html = HtmlHelper object $session = SessionHelper SessionHelper::$helpers = array SessionHelper::$__active = true SessionHelper::$valid = false SessionHelper::$error = false SessionHelper::$_userAgent = "8611eabdb1aa7cc20f419da71363daa3" SessionHelper::$path = "/" SessionHelper::$lastError = NULL SessionHelper::$security = "medium" SessionHelper::$time = 1750801930 SessionHelper::$sessionTime = 1750813930 SessionHelper::$cookieLifeTime = false SessionHelper::$watchKeys = array SessionHelper::$id = NULL SessionHelper::$host = NULL SessionHelper::$timeout = NULL SessionHelper::$base = "" SessionHelper::$webroot = "/" SessionHelper::$here = "/eab3c801/Stroke_awareness" SessionHelper::$params = array SessionHelper::$action = "display" SessionHelper::$data = NULL SessionHelper::$theme = NULL SessionHelper::$plugin = NULL $nextstoryurl = "/ec099523" $publication = array( "Story" => array( "id" => "1563", "publication_id" => "2", "tag_id" => "57", "headline" => "Stroke awareness", "headline_home" => "Stroke awareness", "headline_index" => "Stroke awareness", "meta_keywords" => "stroke, health, retire, senior", "home_spotlight" => "/probus/files/Content/Stroke_awareness_carousel.jpg", "home_spotlight_mini" => "/probus/files/Content/Stroke_awareness_tile.jpg", "home_feature" => "", "home_tag" => "/probus/files/Content/Stroke_awareness_thumbnail.jpg", "index_mini" => "", "index_result" => "/probus/files/Content/Stroke_awareness_thumbnail.jpg", "gallery" => null, "gallery_captions" => null, "gallery_hide" => "0", "embed_spotlight" => "0", "status" => "0", "published" => "2013-08-12 00:00:00", "byline" => "Alexandra Middleton", "tagline" => null, "intro_short" => "<p>A stroke can hit at anytime so it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms. </p>", "intro_long" => "<p>A stroke can hit at anytime and in any place so it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms. </p>", "body" => "<p><img src="http://probussouthpacific.org/probus/files/Content/Stroke_awareness_embed.jpg" alt="" width="440" height="279" /></p> <p>A stroke can hit at anytime and in any place so it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms.</p> <h2>What is a stroke?</h2> <p>A stroke occurs when an artery supplying blood to a part of the brain becomes blocked or bursts. This blood flow is required to oxygenate the brain and when cut off, even for a short period of time, it causes the cells to die.</p> <p>If the blood supply can be returned within minutes of the stroke occurring there is a possibility that some of these cells will survive and brain damage will be minimal. For this reason anyone showing suspected signs of a stroke needs immediate medical attention.</p> <h2>Types of stroke</h2> <p>There are two types of stroke.</p> <p>Ischaemic strokes are the most common form and refer to clots that block the supply of blood to the brain. These clots may have formed within the brain or travelled from elsewhere in the body. </p> <p>The second type of stroke is a haemorraghic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel bursts in your brain.</p> <p>A third condition, a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or mini stroke also exists. A mini stroke is when an individual displays the signs of a stroke, however they disappear within 24 hours. Mini strokes also require immediate medical attention. They should not be ignored as they indicate that the individual is at risk of suffering a stroke.</p> <p>According to the National Stroke Foundation (NSF), one in five people who suffer a TIA will have a major stroke within the next three months.</p> <h2>Warning signs of stroke</h2> <p>The most common signs of a stroke are arm weakness, facial weakness and difficulty with speech. To identify a stroke the NSF advises people use the FAST test.</p> <ul> <li>F – Face. Check the person’s face. Has their mouth drooped?</li> <li>A – Arms. Can they lift both arms?</li> <li>S – Speech. Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?</li> <li>T – Time. Time is critical in this situation. If you see any of these signs call 000. </li> </ul> <p>Signs of stroke can last for anywhere from a few seconds to over 24 hours. Other signs of stroke include</p> <ul> <li>Dizziness, loss of balance or an unexplained fall </li> <li>Loss of vision, sudden blurring or decreased vision in one or both eyes</li> <li>Severe headaches or an unexplained change in the pattern of headaches</li> <li>Difficulty swallowing.</li> </ul> <p>Once in medical care, doctors will use brain imaging to determine the type of stroke, its severity, and where the blockage or bleed is located. They will also take blood, and check an individual’s blood pressure and the rate of their heartbeat.</p> <h2>Risk factors</h2> <p>There are a number of factors that increase an individual’s risk of stroke. These are outside of your control, including age, gender and family history. There are, however, lifestyle factors that you can address to minimise your risk of stroke, including,</p> <ul> <li>Smoking</li> <li>High blood pressure</li> <li>Obesity, poor diet and lack of exercise</li> <li>Cholesterol</li> <li>Excessive drinking </li> </ul> <p>If you believe you are at risk of stroke, see your doctor as soon as you can.</p> <p>For more information on strokes, their causes and prevention head to the <a href="http://www.strokefoundation.com.au" target="_blank">National Stroke Foundation</a> website. </p>", "newsletter_name" => "", "printed" => null, "created" => "2013-08-12 16:13:19", "modified" => "2013-08-12 16:13:19", "url" => "eab3c801", "short_id" => "eab3c801", "url_part_2" => "Stroke_awareness", "total_views" => "728", "intro" => "<p><img src="http://probussouthpacific.org/probus/files/Content/Stroke_awareness_embed.jpg" alt="" width="440" height="279" /></p>", "publish_sort_date" => "2013-08-12", "_status" => "Offline" ), "Publication" => array( "id" => "2", "name" => "Probus Web", "folder" => "probus", "url" => "staging.probussouthpacific.org", "microsite_cms_url" => "stagingmicrosite.probussouthpacific.org", "meta_keywords" => "", "meta_description" => "", "tag_type_id" => "3", "home_spotlight_count" => "5", "home_spotlight_delay" => "5", "home_feature_count" => "0", "index_spotlight_count" => "3", "search_spotlight_count" => "3", "most_viewed_duration" => "14", "most_tagged_duration" => "14", "list_page_size" => "25", "home_ad1" => "88", "home_ad2" => "89", "home_ad3" => "", "home_ad4" => "", "story_ad1" => "", "story_ad2" => "", "story_ad3" => "", "story_ad4" => "", "button_ad1" => "66", "button_ad2" => "67", "button_ad3" => "", "button_ad4" => "", "button_ad5" => "", "leader_ad" => "", "smtp_port" => "465", "smtp_host" => "smtp.gmail.com", "smtp_username" => "[email protected]", "smtp_password" => "Qwert123$#", "smtp_type" => "ssl", "secure_widget" => "<h3>Quick Links</h3> <p> </p> <p>See <a title="PSPL Mail Outs" href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/pspl_correspondence">PSPL Mail Outs</a> for copies of letters sent by PSPL for the information of all Probus Club members. </p> <p> </p> <p>Club Management Committees can obtain contact details of Probus clubs by visiting this page. <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_directory_lookup">Directory of Probus Clubs</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Access a range of material which can assist you with membership development for your club. <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_membership_development">Membership Development Tools</a></p> <p> </p> <p>See PSPL’s latest annual report <a title="Click here." href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/about_pspl_annual_report">Click here.</a></p> <p> </p> <p>To access exclusive offers, visit the Probus <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_member_benefits_scheme">Member Benefits Scheme</a> page.</p> <p> </p> <p><span>If you want copies of reports, accounts templates or nomination forms for office bearers, you’ll find them here. </span><a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_forms">Forms and Templates</a></p> <p> </p> <p><span>You'll find all your merchandise needs by visiting the </span><a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/products/display/">Online Shop</a></p>", "created" => "2012-10-05 22:15:24", "modified" => "2012-10-06 15:18:14" ), "Tag" => array( "id" => "57", "tag_type_id" => "3", "publication_id" => "2", "name" => "Health", "meta_keywords" => "", "meta_description" => "", "tag_head_image" => "/probus/files/HealthEditBlue.jpg", "tag_ad1" => "92", "tag_ad2" => "93", "parent_id" => null, "private" => "0", "priority" => null, "created" => "2012-10-05 22:15:24", "modified" => "2012-11-21 16:21:27" ), "Tags" => array( array() ) ) $story_tagline = "" $story = array( "Story" => array( "id" => "1563", "publication_id" => "2", "tag_id" => "57", "headline" => "Stroke awareness", "headline_home" => "Stroke awareness", "headline_index" => "Stroke awareness", "meta_keywords" => "stroke, health, retire, senior", "home_spotlight" => "/probus/files/Content/Stroke_awareness_carousel.jpg", "home_spotlight_mini" => "/probus/files/Content/Stroke_awareness_tile.jpg", "home_feature" => "", "home_tag" => "/probus/files/Content/Stroke_awareness_thumbnail.jpg", "index_mini" => "", "index_result" => "/probus/files/Content/Stroke_awareness_thumbnail.jpg", "gallery" => null, "gallery_captions" => null, "gallery_hide" => "0", "embed_spotlight" => "0", "status" => "0", "published" => "2013-08-12 00:00:00", "byline" => "Alexandra Middleton", "tagline" => null, "intro_short" => "<p>A stroke can hit at anytime so it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms. </p>", "intro_long" => "<p>A stroke can hit at anytime and in any place so it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms. </p>", "body" => "<p><img src="http://probussouthpacific.org/probus/files/Content/Stroke_awareness_embed.jpg" alt="" width="440" height="279" /></p> <p>A stroke can hit at anytime and in any place so it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms.</p> <h2>What is a stroke?</h2> <p>A stroke occurs when an artery supplying blood to a part of the brain becomes blocked or bursts. This blood flow is required to oxygenate the brain and when cut off, even for a short period of time, it causes the cells to die.</p> <p>If the blood supply can be returned within minutes of the stroke occurring there is a possibility that some of these cells will survive and brain damage will be minimal. For this reason anyone showing suspected signs of a stroke needs immediate medical attention.</p> <h2>Types of stroke</h2> <p>There are two types of stroke.</p> <p>Ischaemic strokes are the most common form and refer to clots that block the supply of blood to the brain. These clots may have formed within the brain or travelled from elsewhere in the body. </p> <p>The second type of stroke is a haemorraghic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel bursts in your brain.</p> <p>A third condition, a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or mini stroke also exists. A mini stroke is when an individual displays the signs of a stroke, however they disappear within 24 hours. Mini strokes also require immediate medical attention. They should not be ignored as they indicate that the individual is at risk of suffering a stroke.</p> <p>According to the National Stroke Foundation (NSF), one in five people who suffer a TIA will have a major stroke within the next three months.</p> <h2>Warning signs of stroke</h2> <p>The most common signs of a stroke are arm weakness, facial weakness and difficulty with speech. To identify a stroke the NSF advises people use the FAST test.</p> <ul> <li>F – Face. Check the person’s face. Has their mouth drooped?</li> <li>A – Arms. Can they lift both arms?</li> <li>S – Speech. Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?</li> <li>T – Time. Time is critical in this situation. If you see any of these signs call 000. </li> </ul> <p>Signs of stroke can last for anywhere from a few seconds to over 24 hours. Other signs of stroke include</p> <ul> <li>Dizziness, loss of balance or an unexplained fall </li> <li>Loss of vision, sudden blurring or decreased vision in one or both eyes</li> <li>Severe headaches or an unexplained change in the pattern of headaches</li> <li>Difficulty swallowing.</li> </ul> <p>Once in medical care, doctors will use brain imaging to determine the type of stroke, its severity, and where the blockage or bleed is located. They will also take blood, and check an individual’s blood pressure and the rate of their heartbeat.</p> <h2>Risk factors</h2> <p>There are a number of factors that increase an individual’s risk of stroke. These are outside of your control, including age, gender and family history. There are, however, lifestyle factors that you can address to minimise your risk of stroke, including,</p> <ul> <li>Smoking</li> <li>High blood pressure</li> <li>Obesity, poor diet and lack of exercise</li> <li>Cholesterol</li> <li>Excessive drinking </li> </ul> <p>If you believe you are at risk of stroke, see your doctor as soon as you can.</p> <p>For more information on strokes, their causes and prevention head to the <a href="http://www.strokefoundation.com.au" target="_blank">National Stroke Foundation</a> website. </p>", "newsletter_name" => "", "printed" => null, "created" => "2013-08-12 16:13:19", "modified" => "2013-08-12 16:13:19", "url" => "eab3c801", "short_id" => "eab3c801", "url_part_2" => "Stroke_awareness", "total_views" => "728", "intro" => "<p><img src="http://probussouthpacific.org/probus/files/Content/Stroke_awareness_embed.jpg" alt="" width="440" height="279" /></p>", "publish_sort_date" => "2013-08-12", "_status" => "Offline" ), "Publication" => array( "id" => "2", "name" => "Probus Web", "folder" => "probus", "url" => "staging.probussouthpacific.org", "microsite_cms_url" => "stagingmicrosite.probussouthpacific.org", "meta_keywords" => "", "meta_description" => "", "tag_type_id" => "3", "home_spotlight_count" => "5", "home_spotlight_delay" => "5", "home_feature_count" => "0", "index_spotlight_count" => "3", "search_spotlight_count" => "3", "most_viewed_duration" => "14", "most_tagged_duration" => "14", "list_page_size" => "25", "home_ad1" => "88", "home_ad2" => "89", "home_ad3" => "", "home_ad4" => "", "story_ad1" => "", "story_ad2" => "", "story_ad3" => "", "story_ad4" => "", "button_ad1" => "66", "button_ad2" => "67", "button_ad3" => "", "button_ad4" => "", "button_ad5" => "", "leader_ad" => "", "smtp_port" => "465", "smtp_host" => "smtp.gmail.com", "smtp_username" => "[email protected]", "smtp_password" => "Qwert123$#", "smtp_type" => "ssl", "secure_widget" => "<h3>Quick Links</h3> <p> </p> <p>See <a title="PSPL Mail Outs" href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/pspl_correspondence">PSPL Mail Outs</a> for copies of letters sent by PSPL for the information of all Probus Club members. </p> <p> </p> <p>Club Management Committees can obtain contact details of Probus clubs by visiting this page. <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_directory_lookup">Directory of Probus Clubs</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Access a range of material which can assist you with membership development for your club. <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_membership_development">Membership Development Tools</a></p> <p> </p> <p>See PSPL’s latest annual report <a title="Click here." href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/about_pspl_annual_report">Click here.</a></p> <p> </p> <p>To access exclusive offers, visit the Probus <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_member_benefits_scheme">Member Benefits Scheme</a> page.</p> <p> </p> <p><span>If you want copies of reports, accounts templates or nomination forms for office bearers, you’ll find them here. </span><a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_forms">Forms and Templates</a></p> <p> </p> <p><span>You'll find all your merchandise needs by visiting the </span><a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/products/display/">Online Shop</a></p>", "created" => "2012-10-05 22:15:24", "modified" => "2012-10-06 15:18:14" ), "Tag" => array( "id" => "57", "tag_type_id" => "3", "publication_id" => "2", "name" => "Health", "meta_keywords" => "", "meta_description" => "", "tag_head_image" => "/probus/files/HealthEditBlue.jpg", "tag_ad1" => "92", "tag_ad2" => "93", "parent_id" => null, "private" => "0", "priority" => null, "created" => "2012-10-05 22:15:24", "modified" => "2012-11-21 16:21:27" ), "Tags" => array( array() ) ) $related_stories = array( array( "Story" => array() ), array( "Story" => array() ), array( "Story" => array() ), array( "Story" => array() ), array( "Story" => array() ) )include - APP/views/stories/probus-display.ctp, line 49 View::_render() - CORE/cake/libs/view/view.php, line 731 View::render() - CORE/cake/libs/view/view.php, line 426 Controller::render() - CORE/cake/libs/controller/controller.php, line 909 AppController::render() - APP/app_controller.php, line 64 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/cake/dispatcher.php, line 207 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/cake/dispatcher.php, line 171 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 83
No stories were found.
Stroke awareness
by Alexandra Middleton | 12 Aug 2013
A stroke can hit at anytime and in any place so it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms.
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when an artery supplying blood to a part of the brain becomes blocked or bursts. This blood flow is required to oxygenate the brain and when cut off, even for a short period of time, it causes the cells to die.
If the blood supply can be returned within minutes of the stroke occurring there is a possibility that some of these cells will survive and brain damage will be minimal. For this reason anyone showing suspected signs of a stroke needs immediate medical attention.
Types of stroke
There are two types of stroke.
Ischaemic strokes are the most common form and refer to clots that block the supply of blood to the brain. These clots may have formed within the brain or travelled from elsewhere in the body.
The second type of stroke is a haemorraghic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel bursts in your brain.
A third condition, a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or mini stroke also exists. A mini stroke is when an individual displays the signs of a stroke, however they disappear within 24 hours. Mini strokes also require immediate medical attention. They should not be ignored as they indicate that the individual is at risk of suffering a stroke.
According to the National Stroke Foundation (NSF), one in five people who suffer a TIA will have a major stroke within the next three months.
Warning signs of stroke
The most common signs of a stroke are arm weakness, facial weakness and difficulty with speech. To identify a stroke the NSF advises people use the FAST test.
- F – Face. Check the person’s face. Has their mouth drooped?
- A – Arms. Can they lift both arms?
- S – Speech. Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
- T – Time. Time is critical in this situation. If you see any of these signs call 000.
Signs of stroke can last for anywhere from a few seconds to over 24 hours. Other signs of stroke include
- Dizziness, loss of balance or an unexplained fall
- Loss of vision, sudden blurring or decreased vision in one or both eyes
- Severe headaches or an unexplained change in the pattern of headaches
- Difficulty swallowing.
Once in medical care, doctors will use brain imaging to determine the type of stroke, its severity, and where the blockage or bleed is located. They will also take blood, and check an individual’s blood pressure and the rate of their heartbeat.
Risk factors
There are a number of factors that increase an individual’s risk of stroke. These are outside of your control, including age, gender and family history. There are, however, lifestyle factors that you can address to minimise your risk of stroke, including,
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Obesity, poor diet and lack of exercise
- Cholesterol
- Excessive drinking
If you believe you are at risk of stroke, see your doctor as soon as you can.
For more information on strokes, their causes and prevention head to the National Stroke Foundation website.
®