Stroke awareness is crucial for recognizing the signs and symptoms of a stroke and acting fast to seek medical attention. Understanding the acronym FAST can help identify a potential stroke:
F: Face drooping
A: Arm weakness
S: Speech difficulty
T: Time to call emergency services
Here’s some more information about these.
- Facial Drooping: Ask the person to smile and check if one side of their face droops.
- Arm Weakness: Request the person to raise both arms and see if one arm drifts downward.
- Speech Difficulty: Inquire the person to repeat a simple sentence and note if their speech is slurred or strange.
- Time to Call Emergency Services: If any of these symptoms are present, it’s crucial to seek medical help immediately. Time is of the essence in treating a stroke.
- Sudden Numbness: Keep an eye out for sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Severe Headache: A sudden and severe headache with no known cause can be a sign of stroke, especially when accompanied by other symptoms.
If you or someone else experiences any of these symptoms, it’s essential to seek immediate medical assistance. Additionally, familiarizing oneself with risk factors and preventive measures can contribute to stroke awareness and overall health.
Moreover, understanding the risk factors associated with stroke, such as high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and obesity, can help in taking proactive steps to mitigate these risks. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and managing stress, can substantially reduce the likelihood of experiencing a stroke.
By increasing awareness of stroke and its implications, individuals can empower themselves and those around them to recognize the signs, seek prompt medical care, and embrace preventive measures for long-term well-being.
Dr. Kre Johnson is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician and the sole owner of Brownstone Healthcare and Aesthetics. She is the Medical Director of the City of Birmingham’s Employee Health Clinic-Brownstone BWell Birmingham. She is the Event Producer of Wifeology and the founder of Three Twenty Girls, Inc. She loves God, traveling, and all things Southern!!
Brownstone BWell: Brownstone Healthcare has partnered with the City of Birmingham to offer primary care services to the employees of the City of Birmingham for $0 copayment. This partnership is for preventative services & screenings and sick visits. We partner with your current primary care physician and our goal is to keep you out of the ER and urgent care. We do not share your information with the City of Birmingham. We uphold HIPPA and professional standards. You can visit us at our downtown location 1700 5th Ave N Birmingham, AL 35203 or Trussville: 4643 Camp Coleman Road #117 Trussville, AL 35173 205-202-5650 call for your appointment today.
