Stroke Alert

“STROKE… THE SILENT KILLER… are YOU at risk?

Research shows that it is the No.3 leading killer of the young and old…”
According to reports in one of the local newspapers in Malaysia on Tuesday 24th April 2007… this phrase- ‘Six Malaysians hit by STROKE every hour” was splashed on the front page.

Have you experienced a stroke before, or witnessed the struggle of a Stroke Survivor who needs support, help and encouraging information that will lead to an improved quality of life?

Every year… Stroke becomes a silent killer for thousands of people. Those lucky enough to survive, may find that life following a stroke can be filled with pain, sorrow and feelings of loss and despair.

Fortunately, there are ways to overcome these feelings and limitations, like discovering a new independence…one that is rich and rewarding.

Each year, people become victims of stroke, when they fail to recognize the early warning signs!
Recognize these signs of impending stroke:

·Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, on one side of the body
·Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
·Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
·Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
·Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

F.A.S.T.

The acronym FAST is an easy way to remember signs of stroke. What to do if you think a stroke has occurred. The most important is to immediately call for medical assistance.

FAST stands for:

• FACE - Ask the person to smile. Check to see if one side of the face droops.
• ARMS - Ask the person to raise both arms. See if one arm drifts downward.
• SPEECH -Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Check to see if words are ````` slurred and if the sentence is repeated correctly.
• TIME - If a person shows any of these symptoms, time is essence. It is important to go
• to the hospital as quickly as possible…Act FAST, call for HELP
  
  These may all be signs of a impending stroke attack… IMMEDIATE MEDICAL HELP is crucial …!!!

Experiencing one or more of the symptoms above, may put you at risk of Stroke attack. Stroke is increasingly prevalent in modern times.

Risk factors that may contribute to stroke include:

§ Increasing Age
§ Gender
§ Race and Ethnicity
§ Family History
§ Stressful Life
§ Unhealthy Lifestyle
§ Health Problems, such as Hypertension, High Cholesterol level, Diabetic etc

While you may not have the ability to control some of these risk-factors, a healthy lifestyle will definitely help to reduce the odds of having a stroke. What are these risk factors and how can they be eliminated?

More information …in my next posting very soon…

Seven Magical Steps To Quicker Stroke Recovery

STROKE SURVIVOR, CARER AND SUPPORT
By Jeanna Tan

To begin with, in my Blog, I am going to share my experience as a Carer for my Stroke Survivor Husband, K.K.YAP… my Support for Him and other Stroke Survivors world wide, especially those in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia … and as a Volunteer at the National Stroke Association of Malaysia.

From the experiences and views of life after stroke, and discover new and beautiful ways to improve the quality of life, even in the face of adversity…

Very importantly, we ought to seriously consider the following factors …

A healthy lifestyle and low fat diet, rich in natural sources of vitamins and minerals will definitely help against further attack of Stroke.

KK had a few attacks of Stroke before the last one on 9th October 2005. The earlier episodes were not as serious and he recovered in less than a month after each attack. Looking back, I think all the previous occurrences were actually warning signs…Warnings that it’s about time to change his lifestyle…

Way back in the eighties, as a journalist, he was already suffering from high blood pressure but did not really take this health problem seriously. In August 1991, I believed he had his first stroke, when he was feeling very ill with his nose breeding profusely. It was already after midnight then, so I took him to a 24Hr clinic, but the Doctor just dynosed his condition as normal. He was sent home with just panadol and advised to take a rest. However, the following day, KK was feeling really very sick, drowsy and could hardly opened his eyes…I sensed some thing was not quite right. This time, I took him to the emergency ward at the University Hospital. Upon arrival at the Hospital, he was immediately wheeled in and given medical attention. His blood pressure then was very very high (257/176 ) and was warded for further observation. Fortunately, the hemorrhage was not at his brain, and was on his feet again after being hospitalised for more than 10 days.

On February 1st 2001, KK, home alone, had a stroke at about 3 am. We only knew of his condition at 7 am. He was taken to Hospital by our son-in-law, Eric Lee. Lucky for KK, Eric could not join us on our holidays in Penang. This sudden attack could be a result of a heavy bout of badminton earlier in the evening. He was warded for 5 days in Hospital. A good rest and family's love and concern brought KK back to normal life again, though he had to give up his love for badminton and made do with just daily brisk walking for exercise.

Then in October 2005, KK suffered two attacks within a week. During a meeting tea-break on 3rd October, at the Istana Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, he suddenly lost control of his limbs movements and speech. An ambulance was called and he ended up in hospital again. However, by evening the same day, failing to recognize the early signs of a stroke attack, the Doctor in attendance discharged him.

Sad to say, on 9th October 2005, during our family dinner, he suddenly turned pale, hands and legs started shaking uncontrollably, vomiting and could not walk or talk anymore. This time, it was really serious. We thought he had a heart attack and took him to IJM for medical treatment. The Doctor at IJM later confirmed that it was not a heart attack and could be suffering from a stroke. So again, we brought KK to the emergency ward at UMMC. A thorough medical check up and a brain scan, confirmed that KK had Stroke attack and was warded at 5am. After ten solid days and nights in the Hospital neurology ward, KK was finally discharged. Still unable to walk, he had to use walking aids and wheelchair, for almost two months. This was the most trying time for KK and everyone in the family.

The journey to recovery was pretty tough in the beginning for all his love ones, because KK was totally helpless, then. However, with proper monitoring of his daily routine, such as his diet, medication, physiotherapy session at NASAM (National Stroke Association of Malaysia), accupunture treatment, reflexology massage and keeping regular doctor appointments. really helped him pulled through.

Nevetheless, the most important fact was KK's own will power and determination to recover fast enough... to be able to walk on 26th November 2005, the Wedding Day of his beloved second daughter Elaine Yap to Warrence Ting. Sure enough, a few days before the wedding, KK was able to walk again. Thanks to Prayers answered, love & concern from family & friends, as well as a very strong goal, KK succeeded in his plight.

Now, as I reminiscence my Husband’s recovery from his disability, I realized that his speedy journey back to normal lifestyle was really quite simple, possible and achievable to other stroke survivors, too. I call this journey…’The Seven Magical Steps to Quicker Recovery After a Stroke Attack’

The SEVEN MAGICAL STEPS TO QUICKER RECOVERY AFTER A STROKE ATTACK:

. The Stroke Survivor's SELF DETERMINATION and WANT to recover
· The LOVE, CARE and SUPPORT of immediate family
· Regular MEDICATION and CHECK-UP
· DAILY CORRECT THERAPY SESSIONS
· Proper DIET
· CONDUCIVE and suitably equiped Home ENVIROMENT
· SUPPORT GROUP For SURVIVORS And CARE-GIVERS