Cedar Creek Voice

     Brain Attack -  S T R O K E – CVA – TIA’s

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       You are at home, a restaurant, or a party, when

        someone falls or starts acting “funny”.  Is it a

        stroke?   Think  F. A. S. T.

 F  (FACE):  Ask the person to smile.  Does one side of the face droop?

A  (ARMS):  Ask the person to raise both arms.  Does one arm drift downward?

S  (SPEECH):  Ask the person to repeat a sentence.  (i.e. It’s a beautiful day.  etc.)   Are the words slurred?   Can the person repeat correctly?

T  (TONGUE) & (TIME):   Ask the person to stick out his/her tongue.  Is the tongue crooked or does it fall to one side or the other?  

                                               If the person exhibits any of these signs, then TIME  IS  IMPORTANT! 

                                   CALL 911  or

                     GET TO A HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY.                     

                                Brain cells are dying.

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HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS and WARNING SIGNS

 

     If you think you’re having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 or   your emergency medical system immediately.

 

     Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the “movie heart attack,” where no one doubts what’s happening. 

 

      But most happen slowly, with mild pain or discomfort.  Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help.  Here are some symptoms that mean a heart attack is happening:

• –CHEST DISCOMFORT.  Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.  It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
• –DISCOMFORT IN OTHER AREAS OF THE UPPER BODY.  Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, the jaw, or the stomach.
• –SHORTNESS OF BREATH.  May occur with or without chest discomfort.
• –OTHER SIGNS.   These may inlcude breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.

     As with men,  women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort.  But women are somewhat more likely to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

     If you or someone you’re with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, don’t wait longer than 5 minutes before calling for help.             CALL   9-1-1… GET TO THE HOSPITAL RIGHT AWAY.

      Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment.  Emergency medical services  staff can begin treatment as soon as you arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car…

     You’ll also get treated faster in the hospital if you come by ambulance.

     If you can’t access the emergency medical services (EMS), have someone drive you to the hospital right away.  If you’re the one having symptoms, don’t drive yourself, unless you have absolutely no other option.

HOW DO I KNOW IF A HEART ATTACK HAS OCCURRED?

     A doctor who’s studied the results of several tests must diagnose a heart attack.  The doctor will:

• **Review the patient’s complete medical history.
• **Give a physical exam.
• **Use an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) to discover any abnormalities caused by damage to the heart.  ECG is a medical device that makes a graphical record of the heart’s electrical activity.
• **Sometimes a blood test is used to detect abnormal levels of certain enzymes in the bloodstream.  (Blood tests confirm (or refute) suspeiciouns raised in the early stages of evaluation that may occur in an emergency room, intensive care, or urgent care setting.  These tests are cometimes called heart damage markers or cardiac enzymes.        

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SEVEN WARNING SIGNS OF CANCER

When cancer is in its very early stages, there are often no symptoms. Sometimes early symptoms do not seem like anything serious. Learning what to look for can lead to early detection. The chances of curing cancer are made much greater when it is found early.

The American Cancer Society has identified seven major warning signs of cancer:
* a change in bowel or bladder habits
* a sore that does not heal
* unusual bleeding or discharge
* a lump in the breast or other parts of the body
* chronic indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
* obvious changes in a wart or mole or
* persistent coughing or hoarseness

If any of these warning signs are present, you should have a medical examination soon. Having one of these warning signs does not mean you are sure to have cancer. If cancer is present, early treatment greatly increases your chances to be cured.

There are more warning signs for other kinds of cancer. They are not as common as those listed above.

To learn more about the warning signs of cancer, call your local chapter of the American Cancer Society, or call (800) ACS-2345 or the National Cancer Institute at (800) 4-CANCER.

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WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU QUIT SMOKING?

If you quit smoking right now, this tells you how your body begins to heal immediately.

• After 20 minutes:  Your heart rate drops.
• After 12 hours:  The carbon monoxide (a gas that can be toxic) in your blood drops to normal.
• After 2 weeks to 3 months:  you heart attack risk begins todrop and your lungs are working better.
• After 1 to 9 months:  Your coughing and shortness of breath decrease and your lungs start to function better, lowering your risk of lung infection.
• After 1 year:  Your risk of having a stroke is the same as someone who doesn’t smoke.
• After 10 years:  Your risk of dyuing from lung cancer is half that of a smoker’s.  Your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas also decreases.
• After 15 years:  Your risk of heart disease is now the same as someone who doesn’t smoke.

 

 

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 Cadillac News, January 13, 2009

Staying safe out in the cold

By Jeff Broddle

CADILLAC  –  Dropping temperatures this week put your family at risk for cold-related injuries.  But how can you tell when cold fingers or ears signal something more serious?

     Dr. Gus Dolorfino, pediatrician with Great Lakes Family Care, said frostbite will begin as a numbness or paleness of a body part, often in exposed areas like fingers, butr also sometimes in lips and ears.

     If the affected area becomes numb or painful, it’s time to go indoors, but don’t rub it, Dr. Dolorfino warns.  A better idea if the affected area is a finger or hand is to place it against your chest or abdomen to warm it up.  If the symptoms aren’t relieved within about 15 minutes, a visit to the emergency room is called for.

     Dr. Angela Trucks of Mackinaw Trail Pediatrics suggests placing the affected area in warm–but not hot–water.  A washcloth soaked in warm water can be used to warm up hard-to-reach areas, such as ears.  Skin may look pale gray and blistered, and the person may complain of what feels like skin burning or just numbness.  Again, if numbness continues for more than a few minutes, call a doctor.

     Dr. Dolorfino pointed out that 30 percent of people’s body heat can be lost from their heads if they are not covered.  With small babies, that figure can appreach 50 percent because their heads are proportionally larger than the rest of their bodies.

     “That’s why it’s crucial,” Dr. Dolorfino said.

     Dressing warmly is the best prevention against frostbite.  Keep in mind that exposed areas such as fingers, noses and ears are most vulnerable.  Mittens instead of gloves are a good idea because the fingers are warmest if kept together.  Scarves, hats, and jackets with hoods are all good ideas, as are good boots, warm socks, and snow pants.

     Dress in layers and make the outside layer waterproof to keep from getting wet.

                                      COLD SAFETY

 Learn how to treat hypothermia and

frostbite

      For infants and young children up to age 7, a good rule of thumb is to dress in one additional layer than what adults would wear.

     Hypothermia (when the body’s core temperature drops too low) is also cause for concern.

     Someone affected with hypothermia may shiver, appear clumsy and sleepy, and have slurred speech.  remove their wet clothing and wrap them in warm blankets or dress them in dry, warm clothes.  Call 911 or take the person to the emergency room.

     Also, keep in mind hat children who are asthmatic are prone to cold weather.  The cold air is an iritant to their airways.  It could cause muscle spasms and trigger asthma.

     “With the cold spell coming, with the temperatures low outside, you should keep (children) inside if they have a questionable history of asthma,” Dr. Trucks said.

     The exposure of infants to any extremem cold should be limited.  It’s always a good idea to warm up the car before strapping infants into their car seats.  If you have blankets, keep the car seat covered.

     For adults, keep in mind that some things can cause more susceptiblility to cold, such as use of alcohol or medications, anemia, diabetes and some heart conditions.

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