27-03-2007
Dealing with Strokes
Susan Starr (left) is a Speech Pathologist and Simone Dorsch is a Physiotherapist at the Bankstown Hospital Stroke Unit. Their presentation was based on preventing, recognising, and dealing with strokes, including the following points:
- You are never too young to know about strokes.
- Every 11 minutes, someone has a stroke.
- The most common cause for strokes are when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted either by a clot blockage or a burst artery.
- Symptoms of a stroke are: weakness, difficulty talking or understanding, headache, visual problems, difficulty swallowing.
- If you or a family member experience any of these symptoms, call an ambulance immediately.
- Risk factors for strokes are: smoking, overweight, inactivity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, unhealthy eating, diabetes, family history of strokes.
- Preventative measures include: regular medical checkups, reduce cholesterol, diet, medication, regular exercise, stopping smoking, reduce alcohol, reduce stress.
- Physical activity should mean 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every day. To do this you could park further from work, walk to the station or shops, or use the stairs, in addition to regular vigorous exercise.
- Drinking guidelines for women suggest no more than one drink every day, and for men two, with both sexes having two alcohol-free days a week.
- More information can be found at http://www.strokefoundation.com.au/
Last changed: 03:19:06 04-10-2008