| This is an A to Z list for the medical emergency | | | | Stroke is a medical emergency. Every minute |
| commonly known as "stroke" or "brain attack". | | | | counts when someone is having a stroke. Call 911 |
| Before my wife's stroke in June of 2010 I had | | | | or get to the hospital immediately. |
| done a number of A to Z lists. For these lists I | | | | L is for Left or Right Hemispheres of the Brain, a |
| had tackled diverse topics including gardening, | | | | stroke usually affects just one side of the brain |
| model railroading, and the San Diego Zoo. I was | | | | which may impair movement on the opposite side |
| hesitant to write one for strokes fearing that it | | | | of the body. |
| might come off as too lighthearted for a serious | | | | M is for Memory, survivors may have short-term |
| topic. However, I have learned that a little levity | | | | or long-term memory loss. |
| can really help keep everyone's spirits up, which is | | | | N is for Nurses, stroke patients will likely be cared |
| extremely important. So, here is my brain attack | | | | for by many wonderful nurses as they go from |
| A to Z list - which is mostly very serious stuff | | | | the ER to the ICU to a hospital room to rehab. |
| with a little bit of joking sprinkled in. | | | | O is for Occupational Therapy, which focuses on |
| A is for Aphasia, which are language disorders | | | | regaining use of the arms and hands as well as |
| including trouble speaking, comprehending speech, | | | | learning to perform everyday tasks. |
| or reading. | | | | P is for Physical Therapy, which focuses on |
| B is for Brain Attack, another name for stroke. | | | | regaining mobility and walking. |
| C is for cerebrovascular accident, which is the | | | | Q is for Quiet, a noisy environment can be |
| medical term for a stroke, which is the rapidly | | | | overwhelming after a brain attack. |
| developing loss of one or more brain functions | | | | R is for Rehabilitation, which is care and therapy |
| due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. | | | | to heal and regain what was lost. |
| D is for Doctors, including Neurologists who | | | | S is for Survivor, who is a person who has |
| specialize in the brain and nervous system, and | | | | experienced a stroke and lived. |
| Physiatrists who specialize in rehabilitation. | | | | T is for tPA, which is a Tissue Plasminogen |
| E is for Emergency, having a brain attack is an | | | | Activator that can be given to break up a blood |
| emergency which can cause permanent | | | | clot in the brain if you get to the Emergency |
| neurological damage. | | | | Room quickly after the onset of a brain attack. |
| F is for Fingers, hand and finger movement on | | | | U is for Understanding, a survivor may have |
| the affected side can be very challenging to | | | | trouble understanding things as they did in the |
| regain. | | | | past. |
| G is for Getting a Little Better Every Day, many | | | | V is for Velcro, things like Velcro ties on shoes |
| recoveries are slow - notice and celebrate every | | | | can help a person with the use of only one hand |
| improvement. | | | | after a stroke be more independent. |
| H is for Hemorrhagic, one of the two main types | | | | W is for Weakness, stroke patients will often |
| of brain attacks, in which blood leaks into the brain | | | | have weakness on one side of the body. |
| from broken blood vessels. | | | | X is for Xtra Important, know those five stroke |
| I is for Ischemic, the other main type of brain | | | | symptoms. |
| attack, where blood flow is blocked to part of the | | | | Y is for Young, brain attacks can affect both the |
| brain by a blood clot. | | | | young and old. |
| J is for Joke, keep joking, keep smiling, keep your | | | | Z is for Zzz, after a stroke the survivor will need |
| spirits up, it really helps. | | | | a lot of sleep. Good night! |
| K is for Know the Five Symptoms of a Stroke: | | | | Please note that this article was written by a |
| 1. Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, | | | | caregiver and not by a medical professional. It is |
| or leg, especially on one side of the body. | | | | absolutely not meant to replace professional |
| 2. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or | | | | medical advice. Always discuss any symptoms or |
| understanding speech. | | | | treatments with your doctor, nurse, therapist or |
| 3. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. | | | | other qualified medical professional. |
| 4. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of | | | | Also note that the list of five stroke symptoms |
| balance or coordination. | | | | was taken directly from the National Institute of |
| 5. Sudden severe headache with no known cause. | | | | Health. |