THE SIREN by JIM COLE

Previous columns

Aspirin and Heart Attacks

Ho – Ho - uh Oh!

Sick of the Flu

Basic Prevention

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Playing It Cool

An AMPLE History

Sunburn

Spinning

Who You Gonna Call?

Shock Advised

What's In a Name?

Sweet as Sugar

Bow Wow Wonderful

Sweet as Sugar

Minor Burns

Functional Jewelry

Seizures

Fire Safety Month

Getting Under Your Skin

CPR in the Home

CPR in the Home

Autumn's Web

Too Hot To Trot

One Good Reason Is All It Takes

Rescue. Resource. Response.

Advanced Care. Advanced Caring.

Things UNseen

First Things First

Water Within

Control the Flow

R.I.C.E those Sprains and Strains

Move RIGHT for Siren and Lights

Baby, it's cold inside

Care in the Air

Hands-only CPR saving lives

Falls in the Spring

Strokes

STROKES

posted 03/21/2008
A "Stroke" or Brain Attack is when the brain's blood supply is interrupted and begins to be injured.

Some signs of a stroke are:

1. Sudden feeling of weakness in an arm, hand or leg
   
   
2. Weakness or numbness on one side of your face or body
   
   
3. Sudden loss of vision or blurriness in one eye
   
   
4. Sudden difficulty in walking
   
   
5. Inability to understand what someone is saying
   
   
6. Sudden onset of slurred speech or "droopy" smile
   
   
7. Feeling dizzy or losing your balance
   
   
8. Having the worst headache you have ever had

Most strokes are very treatable if diagnosed EARLY. At the first sign or concern, call 9-1-1. Our paramedics and EMTs will assess and begin treatment right at your home that will greatly improve your chance of a full recovery. For more information click onto www.strokeassociation.org.

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© 2009 Jim Cole

Chief Jim Cole from San Juan Island EMS has been a Nationally Registered Paramedic for more than 20 years and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Community Health and a Master of Art Degree in Higher Education. He is designated as a Chief Medical Officer by the Center for Public Safety Excellence and is a Senior Wilderness Medicine Instructor with the SOLO School of Wilderness and Emergency Medicine. Suggestions for future topics can be sent to chief@sanjuanems.org.