SOMETHING WE ALL NEED TO KNOW: IS IT A STROKE?

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately,
the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer 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:

*Ask the individual to SMILE.

*Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

*Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE.

If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

After discovering that a group of nonmedical volunteers could identify
facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged
the general public to learn the three questions. They presented their
conclusions at the American Stroke Association’s annual meeting last February. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis
and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.