Bipolar Disorder: Nutrition As Medicine

Bipolar Disorder: Nutrition As Medicine: "Treating bipolar disorder with prescription medications may be a necessary first step to get the symptoms of this disease under control. However, the drugs used for this health problem are indeed...



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Stroke Recovery Goals

Hi

I call it pushing the envelope...gently. lol

I am posting a video from Jill the GoalGuru to help you understand why it is so important to set goals in stroke recovery. Physical goals, mental goals and benchmark goals, all kinds of goals.

Then as Jill says, "go for it!"



You see Jill overcame her fear and climbed the tower. (to the top) At the end of the video says that she climbed it three more times that day.

Jill said, after reaching her goal of climbing the tower then she felt like she wanted to climb something higher and bigger.

This metaphor can be applied to stroke recovery Our goal may not be as lofty at first but the same principals apply.

Set your stroke recovery goals and climb your stroke recovery tower. then do it again and again and again. Keep pushing the envelope gently!

Make stroke recovery your daily routine. (watch the video as many times as you need to...thanks Jill)

My name is Gary and I am a seven year stroke survivor.

Visit my web site

Join my net friends

Till next post,

Smiles :o)

Gary

Stroke Prevention

Hi and welcome back

Here is some very valuable information on "Stroke Prevention" found on the P.E.I. Heart &Stroke Foundation website.

This is information that everyone should be familiar with and it could very well save your life or the life of someone you love.

 

Stroke prevention

You can't control your family history, age, gender or ethnicity. But luckily, you can do something about other factors that could increase your risk of having a stroke such as obesity, diet, diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.
Stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Without oxygen-rich blood, brain cells begin to die. If the blood supply is not restored, the affected part of the brain dies, causing disability and death.
Help prevent a stroke by learning more about the risk factors you can do something about and those you can't control.

Risk issues you can do something about

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High blood cholesterol
• Heart disease atrial fibrillation
• Diabetes
• Being overweight
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking
• Stress
• Women's unique issues

Risk factors you can't control

• Age
• Gender
• Family History
• Ethnicity
• History of stroke or TIA

What is your risk?

Are you at risk? Take the Heart&Stroke Risk Assessment^TM and get a personalized risk profile and a customized action plan for healthy living that includes tips, tools, recipes and much more to help you reduce your risk.
For more information on stroke prevention, please read our brochure Taking control: Lowering your risk of heart disease and stroke.

I am a seven year stroke survivor.


Read my story

Join my Net Friends  


Till next post.


Smiles :o)


Gary

Stroke -- Heed the warning signs (by June Cheong)

Stroke -- Heed the warning signs (by June Cheong): "

By June Cheong (in Mind Your Body of the Straits Times dated 5 November 2009)

A stroke is a medical emergency and early detection and treatment will improve the chances of recovery

Not all stroke survivors end up severely disabled. Many have recovered well when medical attention is timely and treatment is sustained.

Anastasia Heng, 13, can attest to this. The Secondary 2 student suffered a stroke last December and lost the ability to perform daily activities like dressing herself as well as her language skills.
However, in less than a year, she has bounced back and can walk unaided and speak in full sentences again.

She said: 'I couldn't speak fluently at first.

'I found it difficult to understand what the teachers were saying when I went back to school in March. I had remedial lessons to help me adjust to school work.' (See 13-year-old stroke victim.)
A stroke is nevertheless a serious condition, being the fourth leading cause of death here and striking about 4 per cent of adults aged 50 years and above.

It is also the biggest cause of long-term disability in Singapore.

The risk of getting a stroke doubles for each decade of life after the age of 55. The risk is also greater if one's parent, grandparent or sibling has had a stroke.

A stroke occurs when blood fails to reach one or more parts of the brain, causing cells in the affected areas to die.

This in turn results in disability in that part of the body controlled by the affected part of the brain. Functions like motor skills, sensation, balance, and speech and language are susceptible.

Two kinds of strokes

There are ischemic as well as haemorrhagic strokes.

The former, accounting for 75 per cent of strokes here, is when arteries are blocked by blood clots or the gradual build-up of plaque and other fatty deposits.

The latter occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, leaking blood into the brain.
Blood circulation is vital for brain function because it supplies the organ with oxygen. Brain tissue stops functioning if deprived of oxygen for longer than 60 to 90 seconds.

'If the lack of oxygen persists, the brain cells suffer irreversible injury, leading to death of the brain tissue,' said clinical Associate Professor Ong Hian Tat, a senior consultant of paediatric neurology at University Children's Medical Institute in National University Hospital.

But not all the cells in the affected part of the brain will die because some blood will still reach it through secondary channels.

This means part of the affected brain tissue may only be injured and can potentially recover.
But time is of the essence.

Dr Rajinder Singh, a consultant neurologist at the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI), said the warning signs of a stroke include sudden onset of weakness or numbness, dizziness and having difficulty speaking, swallowing or walking.

Associate Professor Lee Kim En, a senior consultant and head of the department of neurology at NNI, said that while strokes are more common in men, more than half of the total stroke deaths occur in women.

He added that women above the age of 30 who smoked or took high-oestrogen oral contraceptives are 22 times more at risk of getting a stroke than the average person.
Pregnant women also have a slightly increased risk of stroke.

Other risk factors include being overweight, a diet high in salt and saturated fat, a sedentary lifestyle, excessive consumption of alcohol, smoking and stress.

A study published online last month by the British Medical Journal found that people who suffer from severe migraines are twice as likely to have a stroke.

The commonest causes of stroke in adults are atherosclerosis (a disease in which plaque builds up inside the arteries), hypertension and complications of diabetes mellitus.

Causes of stroke in children

Most childhood strokes are caused by impaired blood flow in the arteries as a result of thrombosis or embolism. These are frequently associated with other conditions, many of which are genetic.

Prof Ong said that causes of stroke in children include vascular malformation (abnormal blood vessels in the brain), blood disorders, auto-immune disorders, infections within the brain like meningitis and encephalitis and trauma.

But he added that strokes in children are relatively uncommon.

Treatment for strokes include medication or surgery and rehabilitation.
In an ischemic stroke, drugs like tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) - which dissolve blood clots - may be given.

Prof Lee said: 'tPA dissolves the clot and restores blood flow to the brain. It is effective only if given promptly. For maximum benefit, the therapy must start within three hours of the onset of stroke symptoms.

'It is thus critical that medical professionals and the public recognise stroke as a medical emergency and respond immediately.'

In a haemorrhagic stroke, surgery may be needed to stop the bleeding in the brain.
After a stroke patient's condition has stabilised, rehabilitation is paramount to his recovery.

Prof Ong said that neuronal reconnections in the brain occur with recovery. This means that the physical disability a patient suffers often improves because of the reconnections. He added that regular physiotherapy prevents the immobile limbs from becoming too stiff, helping a patient regain their function.

Asked if a stroke patient can regain full function, Ms Victoria Lai, a speech therapist at the department of rehabilitation medicine at National University Hospital, said: 'The majority of patients do not regain full function but this does not mean that they cannot learn to compensate for impairments or use strategies to overcome difficulties that remain.

'Many can return to a good quality of life and live successfully.'

Prof Ong added that rehabilitation is essential but it takes time.

Prevention tips include refraining from smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, sticking to a diet low in fat, salt and sugar and high in fibre, and going for regular check-ups.

Prof Lee reiterated the need to get medical help should signs of a stroke appear. He said: 'Stroke is a medical emergency. Every second counts.'

"

AOL News Article, October 13, 2009

AOL News Article, October 13, 2009: "

“Wheelchair Recycler” Gives Back To Freedom: AOL News, October 13, 2009

"

You Can Be A Stroke Hero...Learn To ACT FAST!

Hi

Learn to ACT FAST, so you will know what to do when someone with you suffers a stroke.



This is not rocket science. Anyone (yes, even you) can be a STROKE HERO!

Check out the FAST catalogue ( I do not receive any money if you use this link)

My name is Gary and I am a stroke survivor.

Read my story


Be one of my Net Friends

Till next post.

Smiles :o)

Gary

Is It a Stroke?

Is It a Stroke?: "When it comes to your health, strokes are serious business. Even if the symptoms of a stroke are minor, they can turn serious and cause significant long-term problems or even death. That’s why it’s...



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"

H1N1 Flu Vaccine

H1N1 Flu Vaccine: "This is a brief public service announcement from SCIENCEPODCASTERS.ORG. Vincent Rancaniello, PhD from This Week in Virology and Marc Pelletier, PhD from This Week in Biotech talk about the new H1N1 Infuenza vaccine.

It is safe and effective. I will get it myself and recommend it to all my patients.

Please share this announcement with others.

To learn more go to http://flu.gov or http://cdc.gov/h1n1.
"

Denial is a River in Egypt

Denial is a River in Egypt: "I saw that on a sign about 6 months ago when I went to a rehab facility to see a patient. I was curious as to what the significance was, so I asked one of the therapists. He said it's a favorite saying in group therapy when one group member is in denial and starts making excuses for his or her drug or alcohol issues -- justifying behaviors. The group will shout 'Denial is a river in Egypt'. No denial allowed!

For some reason through out the week following that visit the sign kept haunti..."

Simple Method to Prevent a Stroke

Simple Method to Prevent a Stroke: "

A stroke may seem like something that only happens to other people — and the thinking is usually that those people are older, in ill health, and also have heart disease. But in reality, stroke can affect many different kinds of people and have a range of effects on their health, life, and physical and mental abilities.

Stroke: The 411

Simply put, a stroke is what happens when blood can’t reach the brain. This can happen for two main reasons: a blood clot or other blockage in an artery keeps blood from reaching the brain, causing an stroke; or a blood vessel bursts, causing a hemorrhagic stroke. (Another name that you may hear for stroke is cerebrovascular accident, or CVA.) When blood, and the crucial nutrients and oxygen it carries, can’t reach the brain, brain cells can quickly die, leaving permanent damage

About 700,000 Americans have strokes each year, and 150,000 of them will die as a result. There are approximately 5.7 million stroke survivors in the United States today, many of whom suffered permanent disability caused by their stroke.

Although strokes are the third most frequent cause of death in the United States, the good news is that nearly 80 percent of strokes can be prevented if people make lifestyle choices that help them maintain good health.

Stroke: Know the Symptoms

The warning signs of a stroke may include:

• Visual problems like a sudden change in vision or sudden double vision


• Numbness of the face, weak arms or legs, weakness on one side of the body


• Disorientation, problems with speech (e.g., slurred speech), and/or trouble understanding others


• Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination


• Painful headache that comes on suddenly and has no known cause

Stroke: Risk Factors

Some stroke factors can be controlled; others can’t. Here are some key risk factors that you should be aware of:

• Age. Once you turn 55, your risk of stroke practically doubles every decade.


• Family and personal history. If a close family member has had a stroke, or if you have had a stroke, TIA ( transient ischemic attack, a small stroke that causes little or no damage), or heart attack, your stroke risk is increased.


• Other health conditions.High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and sickle cell anemia are all factors that increase your risk for stroke.


• Your lifestyle.Smoking cigarettes, eating a high-fat and/or high-sodium diet, being obese, and not getting enough exercise can all increase your risk of stroke.

Stroke: Early Treatment

Every second counts when restoring blood flow to the brain because with every second lost, more brain cells die. Early recognition of stroke symptoms is crucial — the sooner treatment is given, the better.

One of the best treatments for blood clots — the cause of ischemic strokes — is tissue plasminogen activator, or t-PA, a clot-busting drug that works quickly to dissolve a clot and restore blood flow to the brain. But it must be given within the first few hours after symptoms start. While t-PA is not appropriate for people who suffer a hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke, about 80 percent of strokes are caused by blood clots.

Anti-clotting medications and other blood thinners may also be given to people who have had an ischemic stroke, to help reduce the risk of another blood clot forming. Emergency surgery may also be done to open a blocked artery or repair a burst blood vessel.

The best thing to do if you or someone you know may be experiencing symptoms of stroke is to call 911 to get the most immediate medical attention possible.

Stroke: The Recovery Process

Stroke survivors often face an uphill battle when it comes to recovery. Fifty percent of stroke survivors will suffer from disabilities that prevent them from completely taking care of themselves and their daily needs.

Complications that may follow stroke include communication problems involving both language comprehension and speech. Stroke survivors may also experience paralysis on one or both sides of the body, as well as loss of control over their muscles. Swallowing may be difficult; memory problems and loss of memory are also common, as are pain and numbness throughout the body.

Stroke is a frightening condition to deal with. While you can’t control all of the risk factors, you can influence a great many of them. Keeping health conditions under control and focusing on following a healthy diet, not smoking, and getting plenty of regular exercise can help to decrease you likelihood of having a stroke.

"

A Stroke

A Stroke: "

A stroke can be very scary. You will find that it can cause some part
of the brain to loss control over a certain part of the body or you
may lose consciousness since your bloody supply is interrupted.

When you have a stroke you will feel a sudden loss of neuro function.
There are many reasons why you might have a stroke and there are
different parts of the brain and body that are affected from a stroke.
Patients who survive a stroke may be severely handicapped.

There are people who do not survive a stroke, and that is why it is
important that you avoid the risk factors of a stroke. Some factors
that you can control is smoking, high blood pressure, and high
cholesterol.

You will also find that diabetes, heart trouble, and migraines with
aura will put you at risk.

When it comes to strokes, you will find that it is also called a brain
attack. This is because when you have a stroke it effects the brain
more than anything. When the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen
and the blood flow is cutoff.

It can be very scary to deal with someone who is having  a stroke.
You shouldn’t panic, but you will want to call 9-1-1 immediately to
help the person.

You will want to ask the dispatcher what you can do to help them.
They will give you some instructions and you will want to follow
them exactly.

You will have to think about getting the person some medical attention
after they are released from the hospital. Most people who have a
stroke will need to look into home medical care. They may need to
have someone with them always.

There are tons of reasons why you will want to get them a home
nurse, but it should be because you need to give them a lot of
attention and sometimes it is just better for you to have a medical
experienced person.

There are some signs of a stroke that you will want to pay attention
to. There are lot of people who will have more strokes after their
first stroke. Sometimes they may only have a mini stroke, and then
there are times when people will have a full-blown stroke.

There is always neruo damage when there is a stroke, however,
what you do to react to the signs may matter in life or death.

Strokes are not something that you should take lightly. You will
a heart attack. You will want to treat a stroke like any other
disorder. You will find that it can be just as deadly as any other
medical condition, such as a heart disease.

Here is a free report

http://minisitesmall.com/stroke/Women_and_Stroke.pdf 

Social Bookmarking"

Dying soldier made film to help others (VIDEO) - Stoke & Staffordshire

Dying soldier made film to help others (VIDEO) - Stoke & Staffordshire: "

Dying soldier made film to help others (VIDEO) Stoke & Staffordshire Matthew decided to take up the Pulmonary Hypertension Association's offer to make a film promoting the charity and publicising the symptoms. ...

"

Word Wanderer

Good morning

Here is a new free word game from Posit Science for you to try out.

Word Wanderer

Have fun and please let me know if you like it.

Thanks!

Gary

SMILE

Hi and welcome back

Stroke is no joke! It is the leading cause of disability and as such creates the greatest cost in dollars as well as lives disrupted.

BUT, by learning three simple things and helping others to learn them too we can recognize when it is happening and get help FAST!


Please just do these two steps (it's that simple)

Step 1:

watch this video (it is a catchy tune)



Step 2:

Share this video with everyone that you can.

Just copy either of these links into an email if you want and send it to all of your friends.

http://signsofastroke.blogspot.com/2009/09/smile.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0Gg2A_GVCk



You can share the video on Facebook and Twitter too.

That's it just two simple steps to increase stroke awareness and help people know when it is happening to them or someone they love.

THANKS!!!

Smiles :o)

Gary

Do You Know These Guys?

Do you know these guys? Let me introduce you. Knowing them could save a life!





Personally I knew Slurry and Weaky and that allowed me to get help FAST!

You see I suffered a stroke in 2002 at age 53. Knowing these guys gave me the edge that I needed to survive.

Please help to promote awareness of stroke symptoms by sharing this post with everyone that you care about. Thanks!

You can read my story by clicking here.

You can join my "Net Friends" by clicking here

Smiles :o)

Gary

CANOE Money - News: EnCana bomber offered split of $1M reward

CANOE Money - News: EnCana bomber offered split of $1M reward

Shared via AddThis

Stroke Is No Joke

Hi everyone

Welcome back

I wanted everyone to read this good news story about how a woman, her husband along with trained health care professionals using new technology equipment brought about a positive result to one woman's encounter with stroke.

The story starts this way

The Sequoyah Memorial Hospital stroke team is pictured above with Jinx and Jim Blades, seated. Team members are, from left to right, Sharon Randolph, RN, CNO; Andrea Weber, RT/ARDMS; Chad Poor, IT; Janelle Brewer, RN; Kristie Hopper, pharmacy technician; Linda Leaf, RN; Janet Dobbs, RN; Becky Alden, MT; and Debbie Knoke, hospital CEO. and Mr. and Behind the Blades is the telemedicine equipment used to save Jinx Blade’s life on July 15. Submitted Photo

slideshow

"July 15 started as a normal day for Leslie “Jinx” Blades. A trip to town to run errands was all she and her husband had planned for the day. After getting up and dressing, she took her daily baby aspirin. Just before leaving the house, she began to feel something that wasn’t normal. She noticed her left leg began to feel tingly, and quickly progressed into being completely numb and limp. She also noticed a strange tingling in her left arm. Quickly she called for her husband, Jim, who gave her another baby aspirin. However, it wasn’t too long after this that she knew something was seriously wrong. She was having a stroke."

You can read the entire story by clicking here.

Please help raise the awareness level of stroke in your community. Risk factors can be managed, the signs of a stroke can be learned, health professionals can be trained, equipment can be installed, lives CAN be saved.

We all can help by taking action to learn about stroke and then teaching others about what we have learned.

If you would like to know more about me click here.

If you would like to sign up to be one of my Net Friends click here.

Remember that it might be your own life or the life of someone that you love that you save.

Sroke really is NO JOKE. Take action NOW.

Till next post.

Smiles :o)

Gary

What/Who Inspires You?

Hi all

Here is a simple video to challenge you to think about how you would respond if something happened to you.



The video (above) features Sir Ken Robinson author of the book "The Element".

If you can, get Sir Ken's book and spend some time reading it. One of my favorite quotes from Sir Ken's book is "If you change your attitude...you can change your life".

I am sure you will love the book as much as I did and if you think about Ken's video just enough it may very well change your attitude.

People just like you are joining my "Net Friends" every day and you can too. Click here to signup.

Till next post.

Smiles :o)

Gary

WWW.PowerToEndStroke.Org

WWW.PowerToEndStroke.Org

Health Corner Features Ron Gardner's Story

Hi Everyone

My stroke buddy Ron Gardner sent me a message yesterday with a link to his story that was featured on the T.V. program Health Corner this past Sunday.

This is the intro that they gave as a lead up to Ron's story.

"More than 162,000 Americans die from stroke every year, a shocking statistic that motivated Emmy® award winning actress Cicely Tyson to speak out and start giving back. Health Corner profiles a New Jersey family affected by stroke. See how their lives have been transformed and why they're closer than ever."

Click here to watch the video feature and read more about Ron and his family.

By the way Ron is one of my Net Friends and if you would like to be one too then just Click Here to sign up.

As one of my Net Friends I will be passing on to you all sorts of great free content that I uncover as I explore the Net. It could be articles, videos, e books, software whatever. If you have something that you are looking for then just email me garydotgray@gmail.com and tell me what it is. More than likely I can find a free resource for you on the net.

Till next post,

Smiles :o)

Gary

A Srtoke Survivor's Story...

Hi Everyone

Welcome!

Read this!... A stroke survivor telling the true story of what happened to him.

Click Here to read his story.

Thank you for reading Ron's story.

Please get to know the signs of a stroke. It just might save someone's live including your own.

Till next post.

Smiles :o)

Gary

Healthier Outcomes Article...

Hi again everyone

Just a quick post to give you a link to today's front page newspaper article featuring my stroke buddy John Montgomery and his wife Bev.

John Montgomery enjoys a sucker as his wife, Bev, gives him a loving embrace. A stroke left John, now a resident of Hillsborough Hospital, with little ability to understand or express speech. Guardian photo by Jim Day

I first met john after his first stroke in 2005 and before his second which left him with a much greater degree of disability. He was one of if not the most enthusiastic supporter of my presentation Finding a "New Normal" at the PEI Heart and Stroke Strategies for Stroke Recovery conference in Charlottetown in November 2007.

Click Here... to read the entire article

This article gives even more details about the establishment of the organized stroke support program announced on Thursday.

Till next post,

Smiles :o)

Gary

Organized Stroke Care Model for PEI

Hello Everyone

I have to tell you that I am pleased with the announcement of the establishment of a n acute stroke unit for our province in yesterday's provincial budget.

I am also very happy with the overall roll out as it was presented in the press release at the special press conference held this morning in Charlottetown.

I am including the press release from government here so you can read it in detail.

April 17, 2009
For immediate release

Government Commits to an Organized Stroke Care Model for PEI

Health

Available Photos

View details and
download

As unveiled in the Provincial budget, Government has introduced an Organized Stroke Care program to improve the outcomes for Islanders who have suffered a stroke. This program not only makes provision for a dedicated Acute Stroke Care Unit, it goes far beyond the stroke unit and provides a comprehensive prevention and treatment program for stroke survivors. The program will be phased in over 4 years.

After careful consideration, Government has chosen a care delivery model called “Organized Stroke Care.” This delivery model has been proven to improve patient outcomes after stroke. It promotes a coordinated approach with early assessment, mobilization and rehabilitation for every patient who can benefit.

“The number one priority of this Government is health care,” said Premier Robert Ghiz, “and the implementation of an Organized Stroke Care model will provide significant support to Islanders and their families who suffer from strokes. We had identified the need for such a model and we are pleased to be moving forward with this important initiative.”

The cornerstone of the Organized Stroke Care model is inpatient Stroke Unit Care, which includes management on an Acute Stroke Unit followed by intensive rehabilitation on a Rehabilitation Stroke Unit. Stroke Unit care is provided on specific nursing units, involving collaborative care between health professionals with special interest and expertise in stroke care. To achieve optimal outcomes, this care model must include care on both the Acute Stroke and Rehabilitation Units.

It is recognized that there will be health human resource challenges associated with the implementation of an Organized Stroke Care model. For this reason, Government has chosen a phased-in approach over 4 years. Staffing of stroke care positions may leave vacancies elsewhere in the system, so careful consideration will be taken to move forward in a responsible manner that ensures quality care across the entire system.

The Department of Health, in its leadership role of providing quality, sustainable health care to Islanders, has recognized and supported the priorities of stroke care, as well as the overall prevention and management of chronic disease. The Province’s Strategy for Healthy Living continues to address risk factors for chronic disease, including healthy eating, tobacco reduction and physical activity.

“This is a great day for health care in PEI,” said Doug Currie, Minister of Health. “I wish to thank the Heart and Stroke Foundation for their ongoing cooperative efforts to improve stroke care for Islanders. This stroke model will not only allow us to provide better care, but, when fully implemented, it will also alleviate some of the current bed pressures on our health system.”

In collaboration with health system partners, PEI has already begun to implement various initiatives within the 2006 provincial stroke strategy across the province. These include Ambulance direct transfer policies and implementation of TPA (clot busting drug) protocols at the two major hospitals in PEI. As well, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Island EMS and Murphy’s Pharmacies launched a media campaign to increase the awareness of signs and symptoms of stroke.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation and other partners have led many of the activities implemented to date. Government applauds these efforts and recognizes that further advancement of the strategy cannot occur without significant investment by Government.

Phase one (years 1-2) of the program includes a Stroke Unit Care model and a Rehabilitation Stroke Unit to be located on a specifically designated Unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in Charlottetown. The QEH was identified because two thirds of stroke occurring in PEI occur in Charlottetown and in Eastern PEI. The QEH is the central referral hospital in PEI, access to neurologists and physiatrists is best at QEH and the Provincial Rehabilitation Unit is already located at the QEH. Island EMS will continue to take patients to either the QEH Emergency Department or the Prince County Hospital (PCH) Emergency Department for initial stabilization in emergency care and critical care.

Also, in phase one, the PCH will run a Secondary Stroke Prevention pilot that is intended to roll-out province wide. The Prevention Unit will be focused on patients who have already had a stroke or TIA, which is commonly referred to as a “mini stroke.” The objective of the prevention care will be to delay future disease events, achieve improvement, promote wellness and enhance the patient’s quality of life.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability. In PEI, there are approximately 340 to 360 strokes annually – this equals about one stroke every day.

-30-

Media Contact: Laura Jones

As you can see by committing to an "organized stroke support program" our government has gone beyond the scope of an acute stroke unit and has addressed other important issues such as prevention, recognition, first responders, acute treatment, rehabilitative treatment as well as follow up care.

This is a giant step forward that addresses most if not all of the concerns raised by my information piece that I had presented to each of the sitting members and official opposition members prior to budget meetings leading up to the budget presented yesterday.

How could I not be pleased with a result like this.

Congratulations to everyone involved in working toward this end. April 16th, 2009 will go down as a red letter day for future stroke victims and their families as well as present stroke survivors and their famiies in Prince Edward Island.

Congratulations!!! Woooo Hoooo!!!

Till next post,

Smiles :o)

Gary

GOOD NEWS FOR TOUGH TIMES

Hi everyone

Welcome back!

Have you heard of Ron Gardner? Neither had I until today! Ron invited me to be his Facebook friend earlier today and joined my Net Friends list so I started checking him out. As a fellow stroke survivor with a business background and his ability to speak makes him someone that I will want to be getting to know better as time goes by.

In the meantime you may wish to check out his book "The Brave Steps For Stroke Survivors and Families: A Message of Motivation and Hope"

His press release follows along with a link to his book site. His book is available in three formats. Book, audio on CD and audio on MP3.

Click here to go to Ron's book site and his training site.

A Survivor of Near Fatal Stroke Offers Motivation and Hope to Millions

Pennsville, NJ - May 28, 2008 - Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the number one cause of adult disability in the United States. For survivors and their loved ones, it is a life-altering event. Ron Gardner, a survivor of a severe stroke, understands what it feels like to have his life changed forever. He has made it his personal mission to better the lives of the more than five million survivors with his new book, Take Brave Steps For Stroke Survivors and Families: A message of Motivation and Hope.

The book illustrates how motivation can meet inspiration. Gardner hopes it will lead readers from “bitter to better.” Ron shares his heart-felt personal tragedies and triumphs over stroke survival and guides readers and loved ones through the complex maze of stroke recovery with his self-reflections, tips, and other informative tools. Because families are adversely impacted by stroke in many ways that are difficult to manage and understand, he also introduces his wife Patti and daughter Molly to share how the stroke changed their lives and to tell how to prepare families and loved ones for the significant challenges that are about to unfold.

There are more than 780,000 new strokes each year. Many are preventable. According to Gardner, contributing factors to his stroke were unchecked stress and high blood pressure after more than twenty years in the corporate business world. Gardner urges everyone not to think this only happens to the “other guy.” Now a motivational speaker and trainer, he intends to use his book and its powerful testimony to encourage fellow corporate executives to make healthy lifestyle changes before they become the “other guy,” as he did.

Click here to go to Ron's book site and his training site.

By the way don't you miss joining my Net Friends List. Just enter your name and email address in the form over on the Right margin of this blog. I share from time to time interesting finds that I come accross on the net as I research the various topics that I blog about.

Till next post,

Smiles :o)

Gary

Stress and Your Health

Welcome

Do you worry? You want to scream just make it stop!!!

There is so much to worry about these days. The declining economy, Stock Market investment losses, the environment, the downturn in the housing market, the job losses happening all around the globe.

So stress is a direct result of worrying about these things and can lead to major health issues.

Here is just part of what Talli van Sunder of Being Healthy for Busy People has to say on the matter

"Today’s episode is the first in a two part series about stress. Now is an appropriate time for this topic because these are tough and stressful times for many people. Unemployment is up, home foreclosures are high and the stock market is way down. Some people have lost their jobs and others are worried that they might lose theirs. There are a lot of people worrying about whether they can continue to pay their bills and mortgages."

Just click here to read the rest of her post and listen to part one of her podcast on stress and how to cope with the effects of today's stresses in our lives.

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Til next post,

Smiles :o)

Gary