NIH MedlinePlus Magazine
The new edition of NIH MedlinePlus magazine features sections on understanding stroke, as well as help with back pain, and advice on smart food choices.
In the cover story, film actor and academy award winner Kirk Douglas says that his stroke in 1996 was ‘a blessing in disguise’ . Douglas explains his post-stroke commitment to speech therapy and exercise revitalized his appreciation for life, learning and health and affection for friends and family.
An accompanying article explains most strokes are either ischemic (or mini-strokes when the blood supply to the brain stops temporarily) or hemorrhagic — when a blood vessel breaks and bleeds into the brain. About 700,000 Americans suffer a stroke annually. Strokes are more common among African Americans than other racial or ethnic groups in the U.S.
The special section in NIH MedlinePlus magazine summarizes National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) ‘know stroke’ educational campaign. It explains the warning signs of a stroke include:
- sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body)
- sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding speech
- sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- a sudden severe headache with no known cause.
NIH MedlinePlus magazine notes some preventive steps for stroke are to:
- quit smoking
- get medical help to reduce high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, or high cholesterol – all of which are significant risk factors for stroke.
For more information on stroke, help with back pain, and advice on smart food choices, go to http://www.fnlm.org/magazine/summer2007.pdf.
