National Stroke Awareness Month

May is National Stroke Awareness Month!  This is a list of common symptoms of stroke:

1. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.  The loss of voluntary movement and/or sensation in the affected areas.
2. Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding.  Sometimes weakness in the muscles of the face can cause drooling.  If you are concerned someone is having a stroke, ask them to smile.  If they are having a stroke they will not be able to smile.
3. Sudden trouble seeing in both or only one eye.
4. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
5. Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

If you suspect you or someone else is having a stroke, call 911 immediately.  There is a limited window of opportunity from the onset of symptoms to get medicine that may reverse the stroke situation.

For more information visit the National Stroke Association at http://www.stroke.org/