Can you spot Signs of a Stroke?

Did you know that having a stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States? Maybe you’ve had a family member or you have seen someone on television suffer from a stroke but do you know what it is or the warning signs?

What is a stroke?

A stroke is a “brain attack”, an attack on the brain. Although it is more common for women over the age of 55 it can happen to anyone at any time. It occurs when blood flow to an area of brain is cut off. When this happens, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die. When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area of the brain such as memory and muscle control are lost. How a person is affected by their stroke depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged. For example, someone who had a small stroke may only have minor problems such as temporary weakness of an arm or leg. People who have larger strokes may be permanently paralyzed on one side of their body or lose their ability to speak. Some people recover completely from strokes, but more than two thirds of survivors will have some type of disability. Having a stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the United States.

Signs of a Stroke

The American Stroke Association uses the acronym “F.A.S.T.” to spot the warning signs of someone having a stroke.

F- Face Drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is their smile crocked?
A- Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S- Speech Difficulty: Is the speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence and see if it is repeated correctly.
T- Time to call 911: If someone is showing signs of these symptoms call 911 or get to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you know when the symptoms appeared.

Some other symptoms may include: Numbness of face, arm or leg. Confusion. Trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination. Sudden severe headaches.

Prevention

Luckily, up to 80% of strokes can be prevented.

The first step to preventing a stroke is to identify conditions that can increase your risk of stroke such as heredity, high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, diabetes, hormones and circulation problems. All of these factors can be discussed with your health care professional.

There are some things you can control at home on your own such as:

Quit Smoking: Smoking accelerates clot formation, thickens blood and increases the amount of plaque build up in the arteries.

Watch What You Eat: Try to eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, along with foods that are high in fiber. Eating less cholesterol and fats may reduce the plaque in arteries.

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Carrying extra weight can make you more apt to develop a high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes.

Be Active: Physical activity can help you lose weight and reduce stress which can lower blood pressure.

Drink Less: Drinking too much alcohol can increase blood pressure and increase the risk of a stroke.

Now that you’ve read our blog you know how to spot a stroke and how to prevent a stroke. You could save someone’s life as well as your own!

Sources:

http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/what-stroke
http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/WarningSigns/Stroke-Warning-Signs-and-Symptoms_UCM_308528_SubHomePage.jsp

http://www.stroke.org/sites/default/files/resources/prevention-brochure-2015.pdf

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Riverside Heat & Air Tulsa HVAC Services

Riverside Heat & Air focuses on residential and commercial solutions including heating, air conditioning, and indoor air quality service and installation. Riverside Heat & Air’s viewpoint is to deliver the best possible service to its customers. Outstanding service and customer “wow” factor have been helpful in their growth, and they will do everything possible to create positive experiences.

Even though they sell the best heating and air-conditioning equipment available today, their best asset still remains their employees. 

Riverside Heat & Air, LLC has a team of trained and certified technicians who are ready to help you with evaluating your heating and air conditioning system, making needed repairs, setting up a maintenance plan, or even designing a new system for your dwelling. We specialize in customizing plans to meet your needs.

Contact Riverside Heat & Air today!

Direct: (918) 798-9233

Email: riversideAC@yahoo.com

Lyon Residential Construction and Remodeling Projects Tulsa, OK

 

Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lyon Construction is one of Tulsa County’s leading construction companies. Mr. Lyon and his teams of professionals are highly experienced and enjoy the task to construct unique projects.  Lyon Construction does it all: new construction as well as renovations and restorations.

Lyon Construction has access to resources that enable them to deliver a wide-range of services unparalleled in Tulsa within the residential building process. They work within the framework of a team-based approach which has helped them do some amazing things when it comes to construction and residential construction project management.

                                                                                                                                              

Lyon Constructiondesires to build your trust with one of your greatest assets.

COULD YOUR BARTENDER BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR DUI?

Bars and advertisements for alcoholic products often encourage people to “drink responsibly,” but in some cases, the establishments or bartenders serving these drinks may be at least partially liable for a patron’s alcohol-related injury or death. Under certain circumstances, bars can—and should—be held responsible for over-serving patrons.

Many states have “dram shop” laws (named after an 18th century term for pubs or taverns). These laws are enforced through civil lawsuits, allowing DUI victims or their families to sue alcohol vendors or retailers for monetary damages.

It maybe difficult to know when exactly a bar can be liable. Here are a few examples of when an establishment could be responsible for your case:

WHEN A BARTENDER CONTINUES SERVING A PATRON IN SPITE OF OBVIOUS INTOXICATION

A bar may be liable for over-serving if a bartender continues to serve drinks to a patron who is very clearly intoxicated to the point that he or she may be a danger to themselves or others. If, for example, a patron is slurring their speech, acting confused, or having trouble standing up and walking, a bartender should make the decision to stop serving drinks to that patron. If the bartender continues giving that person drinks, they are knowingly increasing the chances of an accident, especially if the patron is planning on driving home from the bar.

WHEN AN OVER-SERVED BAR PATRON CAUSES A CAR ACCIDENT

It is possible for a bar to be found liable for injuries or deaths caused by a drunk patron who drove, especially if a bartender was aware or could reasonably have inferred that the patron was planning to drive home.

PROVING THAT A BAR IS AT-FAULT FOR OVER-SERVING

As previously mentioned, it can be challenging to prove fault even if you believe that a bar’s staff should be held responsible for an accident that resulted from their over-serving a patron. Not only do you have to prove that the intoxicated patron was under the age of 21 or had a habitual alcohol addiction, you have to prove that the bar staff knew the person was intoxicated and continued serving them anyways.

Bartenders might argue that they only served a patron a couple drinks, but that the patron had been drinking before coming to the bar, was drinking on an empty stomach, or had a low tolerance for alcohol. If the bar staff can prove that they could not reasonably be expected to know a patron was drunk, the bar will most likely not be held liable for any accidents or injuries resulting from that patron’s drunkenness.

However, that does not mean that you should just sit back if you’ve been harmed or have lost a loved one due to a bar staff’s inexperience or negligence. If you believe that you may have a case against a bar, talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to learn more about how you can prove fault.

If you’re still trying to determine whether a bar may be liable in your case, call Truskett Law to learn more.

Truskett Law is committed to keeping our community safe and healthy. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car wreck, we are here to help. We give free consultations for injuries, car wrecks and wrongful deaths.

Give us a call at (918) 392-5444

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Hospice Cost: Who is going to pay?

A loved one’s terminal analysis is one of the hardest things a family will experience. In addition to the emotional toll it takes, the loved one in need often needs additional support and help.

Families can sometimes delay in setting up much needed care because they are concerned about added costs. The question of who is responsible for payments for hospice care is one of the most frequently asked. It may surprise many families to learn that hospice care is available at little to no cost for the patient.

Who Pays for Hospice Care?

Hospice and palliative care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, the Veteran’s Health Administration, and most private insurers. If a patient does not have coverage, Crown Hospice Cape Girardeau will work with the patient and their family to ensure they receive the support and care they need.

Medicare Hospice Benefit:

According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, over 85% of hospice patients are covered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit. Hospice care is covered under Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) at 100%, so there is no cost to the patient or their family.

Medicare recipients obtain medical and support services related to their incurable illness. This includes the support of a hospice medical director, nursing care and hospice aide services, social work services and bereavement counselling for the patient and their family. Patients also receive prescription medication to regulate symptoms linked to their terminal diagnosis, medical equipment including wheelchairs or hospital beds and medical supplies like bandages and incontinence supplies.

Patients are eligible to receive the Medicare Hospice Benefit if they have Medicare Part A, have been diagnosed with 6 months or less to live, and have elected to accept comfort care over curative treatments.

Hospice Care Through Medicaid:

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program providing free or low-cost health coverage to low income families, pregnant women, people with disabilities and the elderly.

Hospice and palliative care is covered by Medicaid at no cost to the patient. While some state Medicaid programs may have slightly different variables for eligibility, the majority of states have the same requirements for hospice and palliative care under Medicaid and Medicare. That is a diagnosis of six months or less to live and the patient must elect to receive comfort care over curative treatments.

Hospice Care Using Private Insurance:

Most private insurance companies offer full coverage for hospice care. While the majority of private insurance companies model their hospice coverage after the Medicare Hospice Benefit, it can vary. A person can contact their insurance provider to ensure that they comprehend what their insurance will cover and any possible costs including copays and deductibles.

At Crown Hospice Cape Girardeau, we are here to offer support and resources to help make end-of-life planning easier.

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