Act 'FAST' with Stroke Symptoms

The National Stroke Association has adopted the acronym"FAST" to help people remember the most common signs and symptoms of a stroke and to encourage receiving prompt medical attention if someone could be experiencing a stroke.

What is a stroke? A stroke is the sudden death of brain cells in a localized area due to inadequate blood flow. There are two major types of stroke--- ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. An ischemic stroke occurs when a vessel that supplies blood to the brain is blocked. This type of stroke may be caused when a clot forms in a narrowed artery, or from a clot that travels from some other area of the body (often the heart) and becomes lodged in an artery in the brain. The second type of stroke is known as a hemorrhagic stroke. This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in part of the brain becomes weak and bursts open, causing blood to leak into the brain.

What are some of the most common stroke symptoms? Stroke symptoms typically develop suddenly. Depending on the type of stroke experienced and the specific area of the brain involved, some of the most common symptoms are:

• Weakness of the face, arm or leg. Typically this occurs only on one side of the body.
  
• Confusion, trouble speaking or difficulty understanding.
  
• Trouble with vision in one or both eyes.
  
• Dizziness, difficulty with walking or loss of balance or coordination.
  
• Development of a sudden, severe headache.

Who is at risk for having a stroke? High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for strokes. Another is a rhythm disturbance of the heart known as atrial fibrillation. Others are the same as in heart attack risk---diabetes, high cholesterol and cigarette smoking.

How are strokes treated? The way in which strokes are treated hinges on a number of factors including; 1) the type of stroke (ischemic, hemorrhagic, etc.), 2) the presence of predisposing medical conditions (atrial fibrillation, uncontrolled hypertension, etc.), and 3) the time interval between the onset of symptoms and receiving medical attention. For example, if the stroke is caused by a blood clot, a "clot-busting" drug (t-PA), may be given to dissolve the clot. For this drug to work, however, treatment must begin within 4 1/2 hours of the onset of symptoms. Treatment of a hemorrhagic stroke involves measures to control bleeding, reduce pressure in the brain, and to control blood pressure.

What happens after the stroke? Following emergency treatment, the goal after a stroke is to try to recover as much function as possible and to prevent future strokes. Most stroke survivors receive treatment in a rehabilitation program to help regain strength, improve balance, and address speech and language deficits. Improvement can continue for months and even years following a stroke. To prevent recurrent strokes, surgery, to open partially blocked arteries or to address an aneurysm that is at risk of bleeding, is sometimes required.

Act FAST! Now for the components of the FAST acronym to help you remember some of the most common features of a stroke:

F stands for "face". During a stroke, the muscles of the face may be involved. Asking the person suspected of having a stroke to smile can bring out an asymmetry of facial muscles, indicating weakness on one side.

A stands for "arms". Another common symptom is weakness of the muscles of the arms or hands. By asking the person to raise both arms to the side, a loss of motor control on one side or the other may be noted.

S stands for "speech". With many strokes, an area of the brain that controls speech may be affected. Slurring words or difficulty understanding speech should alert someone to the possibility of a stroke.

T stands for "time". Time is of the essence in the treatment of strokes. As mentioned, "clot-busting" drugs must be given within a few hours of the onset of symptoms, and the sooner the better. These drugs have been shown to reduce long-term disability for ischemic strokes. If someone is experiencing signs of a stroke, make note of the time of onset of symptoms and call "9-1-1" immediately.

Help, I’ve been bitten by a tick!

Worldwide, ticks are second only to mosquitoes as vectors in transmitting disease to humans. Ticks are not insects, but are arthropods, similar to spiders. The most common illnesses caused by ticks are Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Erlichiosis, Tularemia, and Lyme Disease. As with mosquitoes, it is the organisms in the tick's saliva that are primarily responsible for causing disease, not the bite itself.

A tick is crawling on my arm! As long as it is handled properly, there is little to no risk of becoming ill if the tick has not yet attached itself. Only ticks that are attached and feeding can transmit a disease. When removing the tick, wear protective gloves so you don't spread bacteria from the tick to your hands. If bare hands are used to remove the tick, be sure and wash with soap and water. Once removed, don't crush the tick as this could transmit disease. Instead, rinse it down a sink or flush it in a toilet.

What do I do if I find a tick that is attached to the skin? Even if the tick has attached itself, the risk of acquiring a tick-borne infection is quite low. For example, there is only a 1-2% chance of acquiring Lyme disease from an observed tick bite, even in an area where the disease is extremely common. In most cases, ticks remain attached and feeding for a number of hours before the organisms that cause disease are transmitted. It is true, however, that the earlier that the tick is removed from the skin, the less risk there is of becoming infected.

What is the best way to remove an embedded tick? A number of methods of removing ticks have been suggested. Many of these, such as the use of a smoldering match, fingernail polish, or coating with Vaseline, are not advisable. These methods increase the possibility of the tick passing infected saliva into the host's bloodstream. The goal is to remove the entire tick and in particular the head and mouthparts. The proper method for tick removal is as follows:

1. Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible.
   
   
2. Pull backward with even, steady pressure. Since the tick's mouthparts are barbed, not spiral, twisting does not make removal easier.
   
   
3. Avoid squeezing or crushing the body in order to minimize expressing potentially infectious saliva from the tick.
   
   
4. After removing the tick, disinfect the skin and hands thoroughly with soap and water. Thoroughly cleanse the bite area with soap and water or a mild disinfectant.
   

It would be helpful for your doctor if you can provide information about the tick bite, such as the size of the tick, if it was attached to the skin, and how long it was attached. If possible, save the tick (putting it in a small container in the freezer is a good method) for identification in case you become ill.

What do I do after removing the tick? In most instances, the site of the tick bite heals in a few days without complications. Application of an antibiotic cream to the area may help prevent a local infection. Otherwise, taking Benadryl for itching or a mild analgesic such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) may be all that is necessary. You should continue to monitor for signs or symptoms of tick-borne disease for at least a month after the tick bite. You should call your health care provider if any of the following develop:

• You develop a red, bulls-eye rash at the site of the tick bite or a skin rash with tiny purple or red spots.
  
  
• The area of the bite becomes more swollen or painful, or drains pus.
  
  
• You develop flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, or joint pain up to a month after a bite.
  

What can be done to reduce the likelihood of a tick bite?

• Use a chemical repellent with 20-30% DEET on the skin. The insecticide, permethrin, is also effective when applied to clothing personally or during the manufacturing process.
  
  
• Ticks may be seen more easily for removal when wearing light-colored clothing
  
  
• Avoid tick habitat (wooded or bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter)
  
  
• Conduct a full body check upon return from potentially tick-infested areas. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body. Also check your children and pets.
  

In some cases, early treatment with antibiotics is recommended. This is particularly true in areas with a high incidence of Lyme disease (parts of New England, parts of the mid-Atlantic states, and parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin).

Management of Minor Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains are the most common sport-related injury, with an estimated 28,000 occurring daily in the U.S. Fortunately, most of these injuries are Grade I or mild sprains of the ligaments on the lateral aspect (outside) of the ankle. Grade I sprains are characterized as a stretching of the ligament with mild pain and minimal loss of function. Recently, the National Athletic Trainers' Association released a Position Statement that thoroughly discussed the conservative management and prevention of mild to severe ankle sprains in athletes.

Much of the information in this statement pertained to the more serious Grade II or III injuries. These injuries involve partial or complete tears of the ligaments that support the ankle with considerable pain and loss of function. These can take months to heal and sometimes even require surgery. The Position Paper provided information to doctors related to these more serious sprains, such as when to perform magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following an ankle injury and when immobilization is the best initial treatment. In addition to information regarding higher grade sprains, the Position Paper offered a number of important "take home" messages that applied to anyone who inadvertently "rolls" their ankle, sustaining a minor sprain.

• RICE therapy (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) continues to be the most accepted and effective management of acute ankle sprains. Rest means keeping the ankle comfortable by avoiding activities that cause discomfort for at least 24 hours after the injury. Ice is typically applied for 20 to 30 minute periods following the acute injury and can be repeated at hourly intervals for the first couple of days. Compression is usually administered via an ACE wrap or soft ankle brace. Elevation (usually in combination with ice and compression) is especially beneficial in preventing swelling immediately after the injury.
  
• The Ottawa ankle rules, a means of determining the likelihood of an ankle fracture following an ankle sprain, were deemed to be reliable. These rules, developed to help doctors decide when to perform x-rays, involve a determination of the location of bone tenderness and the patient's ability to bear weight following the sprain. From the perspective of a lay person assessing their own injury, being able to bear weight and walk more or less normally after an ankle injury practically eliminates the possibility of a significant fracture.
  
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were found to reduce pain and swelling and improve short-term function after ankle sprains. The NSAID, piroxicam, was mentioned in the position paper, but the widely available non-prescription NSAIDs, ibuprofen or naproxen, taken at recommended dosages, should be equally effective.
  
• Functional rehabilitation was found to be more effective than immobilization in managing minor ankle sprains. In other words, the use of a boot, avoiding bearing weight while on crutches, or the use of some other device to keep the ankle from moving is not the best way to manage a minor ankle sprain. Functional rehabilitation includes the use of range-of-motion, flexibility, and strengthening exercises with progressive weight bearing as tolerated. The following link outlines a comprehensive functional rehabilitation program.

Another important point from the Position Paper is that the most common cause of a repeat ankle sprain is an incompletely rehabilitated ankle following an initial sprain. Even though most minor ankle sprains will heal without long-term consequences, the importance of functional rehabilitation cannot be overemphasized. In the case of more serious sprains, medical evaluation and the guidance of a physical therapist or athletic trainer is the best course of action in order to assure complete recovery and avoidance or re-injury.

There was far more information included in the Position Paper than was covered in today's Health Tip, including return-to-play recommendations, taping and bracing considerations, and management of chronic ankle sprains. To learn more about the management of ankle sprains, you can read the entire Position Paper published in the Journal of Athletic Training.