STROKE AWARENESS

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to  identify.
Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke  victim may suffer
brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the  symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by  asking three simple
questions:

*Ask the individual to  smile.

*Ask him or her to raise both arms.

*Ask the person to  speak a simple sentence.

If he or she has trouble with any of these  tasks, call 911 immediately and
describe the symptoms to the  dispatcher.

After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify
facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged
the general public to learn the three questions. They presented  their
conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last
February. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis 
and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.

Tell as many people as possible about  this. It could save their lives!