National Stroke Week 7-13 August 2023

National Stroke Week is about raising awareness of the signs of Stroke. You can help by learning these signs F.A.S.T (face, arms, speech, time). Register at Stroke Foundation and see how you can help.

A stroke happens when blood can’t get to your brain because of either a blocked or a burst artery. As a result, your brain cells die due to a lack of oxygen and nutrients. Injury to an area of your brain can impact how you think, behave, use words, swallow, see, feel, touch, and move your body. Strokes can happen to anyone of any age.

The “Signs”

The Stroke Foundation recommends the F.A.S.T test as an easy way to remember the most common signs of stroke. Using the F.A.S.T test involves asking these simple questions:

Face Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?

Arms Can they lift both arms?

Speech Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?

Time Is critical. If you see any of these signs call 000 straight away.

Think F.A.S.T., act FAST. A stroke is always a medical emergency. The longer a stroke remains untreated, the greater the chance of stroke-related brain damage.

Other signs of a stroke

Facial weakness, arm weakness, and difficulty with speech are the most common symptoms of signs of stroke, but they are not the only signs. The following signs of stroke may occur alone or in combination:

• Weakness or numbness or paralysis of the face, arm, or leg on either or both sides of the body
• Difficulty speaking or understanding
• Dizziness, loss of balance, or an unexplained fall
• Loss of vision, sudden blurring, or decreased vision in one or both eyes
• Headache, usually severe and abrupt onset or unexplained change in the pattern of headaches
• Difficulty swallowing

Stroke Facts

• In 2020, there were 27,428 Australians who experienced a stroke for the first time in their lives, which equates to one stroke every 19 minutes.
• Stroke is one of Australia’s biggest killers. It kills more women than breast cancer and more men than prostate cancer.
• In 2020, 6,535 (24 percent of the total) first-ever strokes occurred in people aged 54 years and under.
• One in four people globally will have a stroke in their lifetime.
• When a stroke strikes, it attacks up to 1.9 million brain cells per minute.
• For more information go to the Stroke Foundation.

Chiro & Sports Med

Our chiropractors at Chiro & Sports Med are committed to providing chiropractic solutions to address your unique needs. Whether you are experiencing an irritated nerve, bulging disc, back pain, neck pain, knee pain, headaches, or even muscular tightness and tension. You may be searching for pain relief after an accident or experiencing an injury.  Our mission is to help reduce or eliminate pain and to prevent future problems and injuries. Above all, we are here to improve your quality of life, well-being, and ability to live an active healthy lifestyle.

If you would like to make an appointment with one of the chiropractors at Chiro & Sports Med simply call our office on 9817 2005 and one of our friendly staff will organise an appointment for you. Or alternatively, you can now Book Online.