:D.
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See this before. But I doubt it is true. I mean I know depending on where the stroke strikes, it will affect different parts of your body. Just asking them do these three things to diagnose seems very slipshod.Originally posted by alfagal:read bout something ineresting in my email:
STROKE IDENTIFICATION
During a BBQ a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food - while she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital (at 6:00pm, Ingrid passed away.)
She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ - had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. It only takes a minute to read this - Recognizing a Stroke ----- 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 getting to the patient within 3 hours which is tough.
RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Thank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps. Read and Learn. 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:
>
> 1. *Ask the individual to SMILE.
> 2. *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
>
> 3. *Ask the person to SAY A SIMPLE SENTENCE
> (Coherently)
> (example: "It is sunny today")
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 non-medical 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. -
There are two kinds of stroke, one is such of thrombotic (clotting) and the other is hemorrhagic (bleeding)...Originally posted by alfagal:was thinking if paste too much stuff here machiam reading newpapers..who will wanna read a thread full of such stuff??
so nvm lo wait till like this thread hits a certain number of pages then move on to the next one lo?
anyway, stroke: does it always happen to the same spot? (guess not..) if not, then how come they suggested with three of those tests only? wats e rational behind such tests?
90% happens to be thrombotic while only 10% or even less is hemorrhagic. These two are more common and occurs widely in the population that they are considered more than other rarities.
There are two basic sites of stroke events, you have to know the anatomy to understand it better. But suffice to say, that the brain has three major circulations - anterior, middle and posterior cerebral arteries originating from the Circle of Willis (formed anteriorly by the carotids and posteriorly by the vertebral arteries).
The carotids branch out (generally to say) to become the anterior and middle cerebral arteries while the vertebral artery becomes the posterior cerebral artery.
The carotids are commonly blocked up with embolism from the heart or primarily through atherosclerosis. If this happens, the motor and sensory area supplied by the anterior and middle circulation will be affected and the patient will present with motor and sensory impairment.
If the posterior artery is blocked, it mainly affects speech (slurry), coordination, balance, gait and posture. This happens because most of the circulation supplies the cerebellum (and as you know functions as an organ for coordination and balance).
It is very hard for me to elaborate on stroke, as the above discussion is just put in such a way to help you understand that stroke can happen in any part of the brain, but it's presentation is basically divided into the two mentioned above...
The 3 questions are used to test the presence of a stroke, not the location of the stroke (this can be better shown in a CT scan, though clinical examination by a renowned neurologist can identify specifically the area that is involved). Location however is unimportant in stroke, as what is important primarily is what kind of stroke are we facing here, is it a clot or is it a bleed? Improper management can lead to death if this is not identified. -
Please do note that the above description of stroke is just meant for simple understanding purposes... If you wish to know further, you can post it in clinic
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So serious? As in need to identify whether it is a clot or bleed then can treat the patient? By then stroke will have worsen. Is there something like a temporary treatment to minimize the effects of stroke while they find out the cause?Originally posted by renorenal:The 3 questions are used to test the presence of a stroke, not the location of the stroke (this can be better shown in a CT scan, though clinical examination by a renowned neurologist can identify specifically the area that is involved). Location however is unimportant in stroke, as what is important primarily is what kind of stroke are we facing here, is it a clot or is it a bleed? Improper management can lead to death if this is not identified. -
No wayOriginally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:So serious? As in need to identify whether it is a clot or bleed then can treat the patient? By then stroke will have worsen. Is there something like a temporary treatment to minimize the effects of stroke while they find out the cause?
... you need to identify the type of lesion...
If we treat blindly...
A clot needs a clot buster - heparin to burst the clot
A hemorrhage can be left alone as it will resolve by itself, or if condition arises, arrest the bleeding and evacuate the hematoma if it is seriously compressing one part of the brain...
Imagine if the patient presents with a hemorrhage lesion and is treated with heparin because thrombotic stroke is far more common, we would make the bleeding worse and might even end up killing the patient...
Such blind treatment is called empirical treatment or known as based on the doctor's best guess. It is subjected to medicolegal issues and one can actually be sued for negligence and indifference even though the patient recovers if the doctor's best guess hits it correctly...
It is always better to be safe than sorry...
There are many degrees of stroke, one is called the Transient Ischemic Attack whereby the stroke last less than 24 hours, while the other is typically known as Cerebrovascular Accident when it actually lasts more than that...
When a patient is suffering from a stroke, it is best that we identify it, and bring the patient to the hospital as soon as possible... try to minimize falls and self-inflicted injuries as much as possible.
The patient will usually complain of weakness, numbness and the speech may be slurred... -
So the patient will be left on his own while they find out the cause?Originally posted by renorenal:No way... you need to identify the type of lesion...
If we treat blindly...
A clot needs a clot buster - heparin to burst the clot
A hemorrhage can be left alone as it will resolve by itself, or if condition arises, arrest the bleeding and evacuate the hematoma if it is seriously compressing one part of the brain...
Imagine if the patient presents with a hemorrhage lesion and is treated with heparin because thrombotic stroke is far more common, we would make the bleeding worse and might even end up killing the patient...
There are many degrees of stroke, one is called the Transient Ischemic Attack whereby the stroke last less than 24 hours, while the other is typically known as Cerebrovascular Accident when it actually lasts more than that...
When a patient is suffering from a stroke, it is best that we identify it, and bring the patient to the hospital as soon as possible... try to minimize falls and self-inflicted injuries as much as possible.
The patient will usually complain of weakness, numbness and the speech may be slurred... -
Once the patient is admitted, risk stratification regime will be set up and an immediate CT scan offered.Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:So the patient will be left on his own while they find out the cause?
The risk stratification may help but is not 100% diagnostic as compared to CT scan.
Risk factors include:-
Hypertension
Smoking
Diabetes Mellitus
Heart disease (valvular)
Peripheral vascular disease
Past stroke / TIA
Hypercholesterolemia
...and more
However such risks point to a potentiality of a stroke and the origin as well...
Of course, CT scan is not a definite MUST, as the patients' condition must be weighed with the burden and complexity of the investigation.
Simple blood tests are usually taken as well which includes a Chest X ray, and ECG, lipid profile, full blood count, platelet levels, glucose levels and others...
Mainstay management while awaiting results include maintaining hydration, preventing bed sores, monitoring of blood pressure and a close observation... -
Don't see how these tests can find out whether you have suffered a stroke. Or is it related to those health risks as mentioned above?Originally posted by renorenal:Simple blood tests are usually taken as well which includes a Chest X ray, and ECG, lipid profile, full blood count, platelet levels, glucose levels and others...
Mainstay management while awaiting results include maintaining hydration, preventing bed sores, monitoring of blood pressure and a close observation... -
Yes... as I said earlier, it is a means of checking for presence of risk factors... it is a must and act as baseline investigations as well, so that any changes after that would be easily noted and correction if any, can be done without hesitation.Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:Don't see how these tests can find out whether you have suffered a stroke. Or is it related to those health risks as mentioned above?
Stroke is a progression, this you need to know... it is not acute meaning that once the person gets it will straight away develop the symptoms fully and subjected to coma or death unless it is really really very severe.
Progression can lasts from hours and even up to days, but the difference is that, if the patient recovers from the symptoms within less than 24 hours, this is known as a Transient Ischemic Attack. -
Post more questions in the clinic.
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Question from gorby107:
Eat a lot fish make you smart????
Is it true
Dr. Renorenal's reply:
This is quite a common belief and is cultural...
I give you several more examples...
Eating cold foods can cause blindness...
Eating the bull's testicles can increase your sex power...
Eating the monkey's brains can increase your vitality...
Fish contains a lot of proteins and is good for the body to recuperate by using such essential amino acids (protein's building block) which is aplenty in the fishes.
In a way it does help with brain neurochemicals but I am not pretty sure on this... anyone wants to comment on this before we throw this question onto the floor? -
What i managed to find out:
Brain development, behaviour and learning abilities
ChildrenÂ’s development and behaviour is another area where fish consumption plays a role. In 2004 Dr Alexandra Richardson of the University Laboratory of Physiology, Oxford, reviewed the clinical trial data available to date.
Dr Richardson concluded the current evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acids, and EPA in particular, may be of benefit in the management of common neurodevelopmental conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD. She also reports that a similar rationale exists for fatty acid treatment in autistic spectrum disorders. The first trials are now underway.
In Norway, investigators have shown that benefits in IQ ratings, relating to DHA supplementation of the motherÂ’s diet during later pregnancy and lactation, are still present at four years of age.
Other work has demonstrated enhanced sleep patterns suggesting greater maturity of the central nervous system in infants whose mothers had higher DHA levels during pregnancy. Visual function also has clearly been related to DHA levels in pregnancy.
In 2004, information on seafood consumption and aggression emerged from an observational study begun in New York in the 1990s. The information on hostility among 3,581 urban white and black young adults showed low fish consumption correlated with higher levels of hostility.
2 cents worth... -
Qn from ndmmxiaomayi:
I practise qigong for health and notice that my body will warmer than normal body temperature. However, after I cool down, it will go back to normal body temperature.
The real challenge: My friend says that by just concentration, you can make your body's temperature goes higher. She stared at her left hand continuously for a few minutes and touched me, her left hand is as hot as when I am practising qigong. Why is it so?
Qi Gong is a type of BioEnergy therapy
it is intended to affect energy fields that surround and penatrate the human body. but the existence of such fields has not been proven.
Qi gong is a component of TCM, and it combines slow movement, meditation, regulation of breathing to enhance the flow of Qi in the body. Can improve blood circulation and enhance immune function.
the increase of body temperature could be due to the 'energy' that u manipulated, or the result of blood circulation.
as for the rest of the questions, maybe others who practise it can help u better. -
Even though my main focus is not on qigong, but I appreciate the answer you provide. I was always wondering, but I decided to shift the focus a little by asking if concentration could make our hands warm.Originally posted by alfagal:Qn from ndmmxiaomayi:
I practise qigong for health and notice that my body will warmer than normal body temperature. However, after I cool down, it will go back to normal body temperature.
The real challenge: My friend says that by just concentration, you can make your body's temperature goes higher. She stared at her left hand continuously for a few minutes and touched me, her left hand is as hot as when I am practising qigong. Why is it so?
Qi Gong is a type of BioEnergy therapy
it is intended to affect energy fields that surround and penatrate the human body. but the existence of such fields has not been proven.
Qi gong is a component of TCM, and it combines slow movement, meditation, regulation of breathing to enhance the flow of Qi in the body. Can improve blood circulation and enhance immune function.
the increase of body temperature could be due to the 'energy' that u manipulated, or the result of blood circulation.
as for the rest of the questions, maybe others who practise it can help u better.