Sidestep stroke

You are asking the question, “Why is a chiropractor talking about stroke?”  The answer: Because this chiropractor cares for you! I choose to care for the patient with the disease, not the disease. Experiencing a stroke is one of the most terrifying of medical emergencies, and according to the American Stroke Association, it happens to someone in the U.S. every 40 seconds.

While there is no magic bullet that can prevent a stroke, combining a healthy lifestyle with targeted nutrients can significantly reduce your risk. Yes, a healthy lifestyle includes regular spinal care.

Symptoms of stroke:

• Sudden excruciating headache
• Loss of balance, or dizziness
• Weakness in an arm or leg; numbness on one side of the body
• Sudden difficulty speaking
• Sudden loss of vision in one eye.

Stroke victims need immediate help! Here’s an easy way for bystanders to determine whether someone may be having a stroke. Remember the word FAST:

F = Face – is the person’s face drooping on one side? Is their smile lopsided?

A = Arm – is one arm weak or numb? Are they unable to keep both arms raised evenly?

S = Speech – is their speech slurred or hard to understand? Are they unable to repeat a simple sentence?

T = Time – Any of the above symptoms (even if they go away) means it is time to call 911 and get them to a hospital!

Take steps now to decrease your risk of a future stroke, and learn to recognize the symptoms in others.