May is American Stroke Awareness Month
May is American Stroke Awareness Month. Strokes are medical emergencies. It is essential for you to seek medical attention immediately if you or a loved one is having a stroke. Seeking medical attention right away, could reduce brain damage and also other stroke complications.
Did you know that you could have a stroke in your eye? The medical term for a stroke that occurs in the eye, is a Retinal Artery Occlusion. Retinal artery occlusions refer to blockage of the retinal artery carrying oxygen to the nerve cells in the retina at the back of the eye. The lack of oxygen delivery to the retina may result in severe loss of vision.
Symptom of a Retinal Artery Occlusion:
• Sudden painless loss of vision
To learn more about retinal artery occlusions follow this link https://www.tnretina.com/retinal-care/vein-artery-occlusions
If you think that you or your loved one is experiencing a stroke, try and pay attention to the time that the symptoms began. Treatments can be more affective if provided soon after stroke symptoms occur.
Stroke symptoms include:
• Slurred Speech and Confusion
• Numbness, Weakness or even Paralysis in the Arms, Legs, or Face
• Visual Problems. This would include having trouble seeing out of one or both eyes
• Headache
• Trouble Walking
If you notice or experience any of these symptoms act F.A.S.T and seek medical attention. The American Stroke Association encourages you to learn the F.A.S.T warning signs of a stroke.
F=FACE DROOPING "Does one side of the face droop, or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?"
A=ARM WEAKNESS "Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?"
S=SPEECH "Speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "The sky is blue."
T=TIME TO CALL 911 "If you have any of these symptoms or see someone else having them, call 911 immediately!"
Calling 911 immediately could make a difference between a good recovery or even a long term disability; survival or death. Please visit the American Stroke Association to read and learn more about strokes. https://www.stroke.org/en/