Balanced lifestyle

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To maintain a balanced lifestyle, you need to keep eating healthy. Add more fruits and vegetables in your diet and eat less carbohydrates, high sodium and unhealthy fat. Avoid eating junk food and sweets.

A balanced lifestyle doesn’t mean starving yourself. Avoid skipping a meal—this will only make your body crave more food the moment you resume eating. Remember to burn more calories than you eat.

It is important to note that physical fitness is not the sole basis of being healthy; being healthy means being mentally and emotionally fit. A balanced lifestyle and being healthy should be part of your overall lifestyle. Living a healthy lifestyle can help prevent chronic diseases and long-term illnesses. Feeling good about yourself and taking care of your health are important for your self-esteem and self-image. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by doing what is right for your body.

Coming home organization working together with the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy:

 here are tips for maintaining a balanced lifestyle

If you want to be a well-rounded, healthy individual, here are a couple of staying healthy tips that may help you do just that:

Maintain a regular exercise routine

No, you do not have to force yourself into intense workouts at the gym but you need to keep as active as possible. You can stick to easy floor exercises, swimming, walking, or simply keep yourself moving by doing some household chores. Do what your body allows you to do.

Engage in the things you are passionate about

Every now and then, to keep the stress and the demands of life from taking over, take a break to do something you love doing.

Surround yourself with positive energy

In order to have a sound mental and emotional state, you must surround yourself with positive energy. Yes, not all problems can be avoided. But it helps to face such obstacles with an optimist outlook. Surround yourself with encouraging friends and people that will provide you with constructive criticism every once in a while to help you improve.

home recovery

Home Recovery

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What is home recovery?

Home recovery is an option for care that allows you to safely receive treatment for your medical condition in the comfort of your home, instead of the hospital.

Coming Home orgsanisation has this integrated model that provides continuous care. From the moment you’re discharged from hospital to the moment you realize that you’re ready to function independently. We take the guess-work out of what to do next now that you are at home.

CHO services are initiated through hospitals, hospices, and care homes. They will identify a patient who can benefit from a comprehensive home-based care service. In simple terms CHO takes the stress out of the transition to your home from the moment you are discharged from the hospital. We will work together until you are able to function independently.

According to HEALTHLINE A new study found that the home hospital model can potentially improve care while reducing costs.

  • The cost of care was nearly 40 percent lower.
  • Trial participants receiving hospital care in their homes had a 70 percent lower rate of readmission to the hospital.

 

Home recovery has proven to help patients recover fast and save money. Generally, CHO’s Home-based personal care workers provide routine personal care and assistance with activities of daily living to persons who are in need of such care due to effects of ageing, illness, injury or other physical or mental condition in private homes and other independent residential settings.

Coming Home - Hospital2home services

NEW YEAR, POSITIVE MIND TO DEAL WITH CHROIC ILLNESS

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The beginning of the year comes with its own new year fatigue and most of us drown in our thoughts, especially people living with chronic illness. There’s no excuse for negative energy, this is the year to adjust to your current lifestyle, take care of your health, eat healthy and start slaying in whatever you do. Positive vibes only for 2022.

You might be wondering how to stay positive while living with a chronic illness especially in a new year, well this articles will answer some of your questions and gives tips on how to improve. Firstly, having a chronic illness is like having a second full-time job. On top of managing the ins and outs of a rigorous, sometimes burdensome health program, dealing with the symptoms and ramifications of a chronic illness can take a toll on your mental health, too.

According to Dr. Gilliand, some people dealing with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or another kind of chronic illness may also have depression. That’s why it’s more important than ever to focus on getting your mind right, honing in on positivity.

Ways to Stay Positive If You Have a Chronic Illness

  1. Remind yourself you’re not alone

This understanding and awareness can help you feel more in control, less helpless, and abler to take action and get the support you need. Find a support group with people who are going through a similar situation, or turn to people who care about you most, like family and friends.

  1. Get the support you need

It’s imperative that you have a support system as soon as the new year begins and a plan for your mental health, because according to Dr. Gilliland, stress and mental ailments can suppress our immune system.

  1. Manage all the symptoms you can

Don’t let yourself get bogged down by side effects. Whether it’s headaches, an upset stomach, or dry mouth, the more you can manage your symptoms, the more you can focus on feeling good.

  1. Make little goals

“Don’t compare yourself to somebody else, or to people in general — if you’re going to compare, compare yourself with how you were yesterday or one week ago.

Coming home organization gives weekly tips, advices and health diet plan on our Facebook page make sure to visit so that we can make your life a lot easier and remember #weareinthistogether

Health tips after stroke

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Life after stroke is difficult because there’s a change to your life but having the right support structure can help recovery process much smoother. this article will discuss Health tips after stroke.

At Coming Homme organization, we believe that stroke recovery tips should address both your physical health and your lifestyle, as both impact recovery.

Some of the Health tips after stroke includes:

Physical Healing Stroke Recovery Tips

  • Understand How the Brain Heals

Did you know that the brain is capable of healing itself after an injury like a stroke? It revolves around the phenomenon of neuroplasticity: the mechanism that your brain uses to rewire itself and create new neural pathways.

  • Focus on Good Nutrition

As your brain and body recover from the secondary effects of a stroke, you can boost recovery by focusing on proper nutrition. Some of the best foods for stroke recovery are whole foods like vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. It may also help to limit saturated fat and sugar intake.

  • Don’t Get Discouraged If Progress Slows

You can’t mention Health tips after stroke without taking about the stroke recovery. At this point, recovery tends to slow down — but it will not stop as long as you don’t stop participating in rehabilitation.

Studies have shown that some stroke survivors are at the same level of improvement 5 years post-stroke as they were 2 months post-stroke. One possible reason for this long-term plateau could be a lack of consistent rehabilitation at home.

The brain needs consistent stimulation in order to rewire itself. To avoid getting stuck in a plateau, it’s imperative to find an appropriate home therapy regimen and stick with it.

Occupational therapist

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First it always important to understand what is Occupational therapist and what they do, basically they help patients improve their sensory and motor abilities during the post-stroke recovery period so patients can relearn valuable skills, including grooming, using a computer, and cooking. With these skills, stroke survivors can return to normal life.

Coming Homme organization works with qualified Occupational therapist to help patient recover fast. Many stroke survivors struggle to live regular lives because skills and movements that used to be simple are now challenging. Therapists help patients master daily tasks like dressing, bathing, writing, driving, and cooking. After regaining more functions, they can return to work. Thanks to occupational therapy, many patients can also continue a favorite hobby such as painting or playing a musical instrument. With time, dedication, and support, patients can recover, become more independent, and reclaim their lives.

According to SAEBO here’s what to expect when you need occupational therapy:

Most stroke patients need occupational therapy to be able to return to their daily activities. This therapy is important to the rehabilitation and recovery process because your therapist helps you relearn necessary life skills.

How Therapists prepare your home for safety and the best quality of life:

  • Evaluate the safety of your home and make suggestions.
  • Recommend equipment that makes your home more accessible.
  • Look at ways to set up your home so that you can better complete day-to-day chores.
  • Demonstrate and teach you one-handed techniques to do things like getting dressed, opening packages, preparing food, and using your computer.
  • Instruct your family or caregivers on how best to help you regain your independence and participate in the activities you enjoy.

COMING HOME CAREGIVERS

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Coming Home organisation(CHO) work trains and assign qualified Caregivers to help patients in anyhow they require medical and recovering assistance.

There are millions of people who serve as caregivers. Some caregivers work for home care agencies and others work independently. No matter what type of caregiver a person may be, there are common and important qualities that most seem to possess, to perform caregiving duties successfully. When you can identify that the person has these common qualities you will know that your loved one is in pretty good hands.

Here are some of the characteristics caregivers must have:

  • Patience

Those who provide home care to others need to be patient. Being patient means that the person understands that there may be changes in plans, things may not go as quickly as planned.

  • Compassion

When someone has compassion for another they have an understanding of what the person is going through.

  • Attentiveness

It is important when providing home care that the caregiver is attentive to the needs and changes that are taking place.

  • Dependability

It is imperative that a caregiver be dependable and show up to provide the care that the person needs and is counting on.

  • Trustworthiness

Caregivers are often in a position that will allow them to have access to the belongings of the person they are caring for.

Some of the roles and responsibilities of good Caregivers includes but not limited to:

  1. Assess medical needs
  2. Prepare care plan
  3. Assist with basic needs
  4. Provide companionship
  5. Assist with transfer and mobility

Follow cho on social media to get the best caregiver to care for your family.

Blood pressure myths

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According to North Bay health care About 75 million adults have high blood pressure – that’s about one in every three adults.

Having untreated high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and kidney failure. In this article we will discuss the Blood pressure myths

Here are few common myths and facts about hypertension:

Myth: Nervousness, sweating and trouble sleeping are some symptoms of high blood pressure and I don’t have those issues.

Fact: High blood pressure doesn’t have symptoms. In fact, nearly one-third of U.S. adults with high blood pressure don’t even know they have it. A simple blood pressure measurement can find those affected, yet still undiagnosed.

How Low Can You Go?

Blood pressure myths: Low blood pressure isn’t anything to worry about.

Fact: Low blood pressure, or hypotension, can be a concern if it causes symptoms such as dizziness, fainting or even shock. Dizziness or fainting could lead to a serious fall. Shock, if not treated immediately, could end in death. However, it’s true that low blood pressure is actually normal for some people.

It’s Not a Youth Issue

Blood pressure myths: It’s not important to have your blood pressure checked until you reach age 40.

Fact: it is recommended that screening for high blood pressure start at age 18. However, others might recommend starting even sooner. During adolescence, age, body size and level of sexual development have roles in determining blood pressure.

For more information on chronic illness follow coming home organization on social media or read though North Bay health care

diabetes myths

Diabetes myths

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In collaboration with health hub Coming Home Organization brings you educational Diabetes myths that will help to know more about diabetes and how to take care of yourself.

Some of the Diabetes myths includes:

  • Diabetes is Caused by Eating Too Much Sweet Food

Not necessarily. Diabetes is a chronic disease that is marked by high blood glucose levels, which result from the body’s inability to produce insulin or respond to it efficiently.

Insulin is responsible for reducing blood glucose levels in the body when it is too high. Although eating sweet food may not cause diabetes, a diet high in sugar and fat can lead to obesity, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes

  • Diabetes Can Be Cured

Diabetes is a chronic disease with no cure. However, the condition can be managed to prevent complications from arising.

  • People with Diabetes Should Avoid Carbohydrates

This can be one of the biggest Diabetes myths. Generally, Carbohydrates may raise blood glucose levels as they are broken down into glucose to provide energy for the body.

However, carbohydrates are present in a variety of food (including fruit and vegetables), which may also be important sources of other nutrients. Hence, it may not be practical to totally avoid carbohydrates. Consult a dietician, who can offer advice on a suitable diet for diabetic patients.

Diabetics Can Eat Snacks or Candies with No Added Sugar or That Are Diabetic-friendly 

Snacks or candies that have no added sugar or that are made for diabetics are preferred alternatives to regular snacks since they may contain less sugar; the sugar in these products may have been replaced by artificial sweeteners.

However, snacks or candies tend to be of low nutritional value and can be high in fat. Hence, it would be a good practice to take a look at the content of the products before consumption and to take them in moderation.

stroke myth

Stroke myth

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According to the Stroke Survivors Foundation Stroke is among the top three causes of death and a leading cause of disability in South Africa.

Coming Home Organisation is on a mission to educate the broader public about stroke and shift the wrong mentality that people have about this disease.

Yet, there are many misconceptions about this serious medical emergency. Let’s separate fact from fiction as we debunk some common stroke myths.

  • MYTH: You are bewitched if you have a stroke!
    • False – Having a stroke is definitely not because you have been bewitched!
  • MYTH: Women are immune to having a stroke
    • False – A stroke does NOT discriminate from age, gender or race.
  • MYTH: Strokes only happen to elderly people.
    • False – The older you get, the risk for stroke increases, there’s also an increasing number of strokes in people between the ages of 18 and 65.  Stroke also occurs with children and unborn fetuses

Stroke myth: Strokes are rare.

    • False – Stroke statistics reveal that strokes are quite common. 1 in 4 people will have a stroke in their lifetime (WSO, 2019)
  • MYTH: A stroke takes place in the heart.
    • False – A stroke takes place in the brain. If the blood supply to the neurons in the brain is cut off either because of a blood clot or bleeding or a disease of the blood vessels, those neurons die and a stroke occurs.
  • MYTH: Strokes are not preventable.
    • False – A study examined risk factors and found that 90 percent of strokes can be attributed to vascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, all of which are preventable.

·         Stroke myth: Strokes cannot be treated.

    • False – The vast majority of strokes are ischemic (clot), and they can be treated. If a person gets to a hospital within 4 hours of the onset, clot-busting medication can be administered.
  • MYTH: The most common sign of a stroke is pain.
    • False – Only about 30 percent of people will have a headache with ischemic stroke, so pain isn’t a reliable symptom.
  • MYTH: Strokes aren’t hereditary.
    • False – Strokes do run in families, the vascular risk factors for stroke, such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, all have a genetic component.

·         Stroke myth: If stroke symptoms pass, you don’t need treatment.

    • False – When someone has temporary symptoms of stroke, called a transient ischemic attack or a mini-stroke (TIA), it’s also a medical emergency! The difference between TIA and stroke is that the blood vessel that was blocked during a TIA opens before it causes permanent damage. A TIA should consider a definite warning sign.
  • MYTH: Smoking doesn’t affect your chances of having a stroke.
    • False – Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for stroke, especially in younger people, this is true for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, as well as first-time and recurrent strokes.
  • MYTH: Post-stroke recovery only happens in the first few months.
    • False – While most of the healing takes place in the first few months, recovery can span over several years, and people can benefit from physical therapy and other treatments a few years after a stroke.
    • there is more to stroke and you need to look into the different stroke myths to make sure you are on the right route.

Healthy lifestyle

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To maintain a healthy lifestyle, you need to keep eating healthy.

 

Add more fruits and vegetables in your diet and eat less carbohydrates, high sodium and unhealthy fat. Avoid eating junk food and sweets.

A healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean starving yourself. Avoid skipping a meal—this will only make your body crave more food the moment you resume eating. Remember to burn more calories than you eat.

It is important to note that physical fitness is not the sole basis of being healthy; being healthy means being mentally and emotionally fit. A healthy lifestyle and being healthy should be part of your overall lifestyle. Living a healthy lifestyle can help prevent chronic diseases and long-term illnesses. Feeling good about yourself and taking care of your health are important for your self-esteem and self-image. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by doing what is right for your body.

Coming home organization working together with the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy:

 here are tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle

If you want to be a well-rounded, healthy individual, here are a couple of staying healthy tips that may help you do just that:

Maintain a regular exercise routine

No, you do not have to force yourself into intense workouts at the gym but you need to keep as active as possible. You can stick to easy floor exercises, swimming, walking, or simply keep yourself moving by doing some household chores. Do what your body allows you to do.

Engage in the things you are passionate about

Every now and then, to keep the stress and the demands of life from taking over, take a break to do something you love doing.

Surround yourself with positive energy

In order to have a sound mental and emotional state, you must surround yourself with positive energy. Yes, not all problems can be avoided. But it helps to face such obstacles with an optimist outlook. Surround yourself with encouraging friends and people that will provide you with constructive criticism every once in a while to help you improve.

Driving after stroke

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The injury to the brain caused by a stroke can lead to widespread and long-lasting problems.

Driving after stroke can be challenge for any recovering patient, Coming Home Organization(cho) work tirelessly to provide services to help you recovery at home safely, easy and fast.

Although some people may recover quickly, many people who have a stroke need long-term support to help them regain as much independence as possible.

This article will answer some of your questions on Driving after stroke:

According to Stroke Association By law, you must not drive for a calendar month after a stroke. Depending on the type of stroke you had, others can’t drive for a minimum of one year after the stroke.

What if my doctor says I should not drive?

If your doctor tells you to stop driving for three months or more, you should contact the DVLA/DVA to tell them about your medical condition. You might need to send back your driving license, but wait until you speak to the DVLA. They will tell you what to do next.

How can a stroke affect my driving?

After a stroke, your ability to drive safely can be affected in various ways. You may have physical or visual problems, or you may have difficulty concentrating for long periods of time or making quick decisions.

Physical effects

Weakness in your arm, leg or both is common after a stroke can affect your abilities of Driving after stroke. You may also experience other physical effects which include pain, changes in sensation, weakness and problems with balance.

Vision problems

A stroke can cause a variety of problems with your sight. These include double or blurred vision, loss of central vision in one or both of your eyes, and visual field loss.

home recovery

Caregivers

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Hospital to home- Coming Home organization trained caregivers.

Coming Home organisation(CHO) work trains and assign qualified Caregivers to help patients in anyhow they require medical and recovering assistance.

There are millions of people who serve as caregivers. Some caregivers work for home care agencies and others work independently. No matter what type of caregiver a person may be, there are common and important qualities that most seem to possess, to perform caregiving duties successfully. When you can identify that the person has these common qualities you will know that your loved one is in pretty good hands.

Here are some of the characteristics caregivers must have:

  • Patience

Those who provide home care to others need to be patient. Being patient means that the person understands that there may be changes in plans, things may not go as quickly as planned.

  • Compassion

When someone has compassion for another they have an understanding of what the person is going through.

  • Attentiveness

It is important when providing home care that the caregiver is attentive to the needs and changes that are taking place.

  • Dependability

It is imperative that a caregiver be dependable and show up to provide the care that the person needs and is counting on.

  • Trustworthiness

Caregivers are often in a position that will allow them to have access to the belongings of the person they are caring for.

Some of the roles and responsibilities of good Caregivers includes but not limited to:
  1. Assess medical needs
  2. Prepare care plan
  3. Assist with basic needs
  4. Provide companionship
  5. Assist with transfer and mobility

Follow cho on social media to get the best caregiver to care for your family.

diabetic friendly meal

Diabetic friendly meals

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One of the most common questions by patients or families with diabetic people is “What food should diabetic people be eating?” this article will give tips on Diabetic friendly meals.

According Diabetic South Africans Taking care of your diabetes is so important. The right diet can help you live a normal, healthy life.

The following Diabetic friendly meals are created to help people with diabetes make healthier choices, which foods to choose, and how much to eat when you have diabetes. Here’s what to choose for you and your family.

  • Fatty Fish

Salmon, sardines, herring, anchovies and mackerel are great sources of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which have major benefits for heart health. Getting enough of these fats on a regular basis is especially important for people with diabetes, who have an increased risk for heart disease and stroke

  • Leafy Greens

Leafy green vegetables are extremely nutritious and low in calories. They’re also very low in digestible carbs, or carbs absorbed by the body, so they won’t significantly affect blood sugar levels.

  • Avocados

Avocados are Diabetic friendly meals have less than 1 gram of sugar, few carbohydrates, a high fiber content, and healthy fats, so you don’t have to worry about them raising your blood sugar levels. Avocado consumption is also associated with improved overall diet quality and significantly lower body weight and body mass index (BMI)

  • Eggs

Eggs provide amazing health benefits. In fact, they’re one of the best foods for keeping you full and satisfied in between meals. Regular egg consumption may also reduce your heart disease risk in several ways.

Figuring out the best foods to eat when you have diabetes can be tough. But following these Diabetic friendly meals can help you control your blood sugar levels.

home recovery

Coming Home Organisation (CHO) provides inclusive Home recovery designed for your needs.

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Like most patients or any other illness survivors, everyone has the goal of returning to live independently at home. But even with the help of family or caregivers, recovery can be a challenge. Which is why hosipital2home- coming home organisation provides comprehensive Home recovery with specialized strategies and techniques to help patients fully recover at home.

Rehabilitation therapy usually begins in the hospital as soon as the patient’s medical condition is stable, often within 24 to 48 hours. When the patient is ready for discharge, a trained caregiver will help develop a plan for continuing rehabilitation and care for Home recovery.

To help speed the Home recovery process these are few tips a caregiver pay attention to in order to handle common issues regarding Home recovery:

  1. It’s better to find out than miss out. Be aware of your loved one’s medications and their side effects. Find out if your home should be modified to meet the needs of the stroke survivor. Ask a doctor, nurse or therapist to answer your questions about what to expect.
  2.  Reduce risks, or stroke may strike again. Survivors are at high risk of having another stroke. Make sure your loved one eats a healthy diet, exercises, takes medications as prescribed and visits their healthcare provider regularly.
  3. Many factors influence recovery: where in the brain the stroke occurred; how much of the brain was affected, the survivor’s motivation; caregiver support; the quantity and quality of rehabilitation; and the survivor’s health before the stroke.
  4. Gains can happen quickly or over time. The most rapid recovery usually occurs during the first three to four months after a stroke, but some survivors continue to recover well into the first and second year after their stroke.
  5. Some signs point to physical therapy. Caregivers should consider assistance from a physical or occupational therapist if their loved one has: dizziness; imbalance that results in falls; difficulty walking or moving around daily; inability to walk six minutes without stopping to rest; inability to participate in or complete daily activities.

For more information about Home recovery visit coming home organisation to help your loved ones recover fast at the comfort of the homes.

food parcels

FOOD PARCELS- COMING HOME ORGANISATION ASSIST THE NEEDY IN THE TIME OF CRISIS.

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Coming Home Organisation (CHO), is a registered NPO with Registration number 224-208 our short term goal is to provide a comprehensive wholeness centre by providing a customized home based care service to patients affected by chronic illnesses whilst working in collaboration with other organizations to provide support, promote healthy lifestyles and educate the broader public on prevention and treatment of chronic illnesses.

CHO has taken an initiative to help the disadvantaged families in the community by providing healthy food parcels. We are currently aiding 4 communities with healthy food pack:

  • Bangladesh community
  • Newlands community
  • Nkobongo, Shakaskraal
  • Reservoir Hills

As an NPO, CHO merely survive on funding and donations to make a difference in the community which is why we call upon the public to make donations in form of food or money to help expand this project to change many lives in this time of crisis.

We appeal to you for assistance to help the communities that were affected by the looting. Receiving food parcels will greatly assist us in helping these people who lost their jobs and those that cannot join the long lines for basic food items.

To make donations please use the banking details below or contact Avashna Moodley 0837881641 or Khanyi Mdluli 0710631137 for delivery options.

Please use the banking details below for your kind donation:

Bank- FNB

Name of Acc- Coming Home

Branch code -250655

Acc no. – 62808466818

Use your email/ cell no. as reference)

Surviving a stroke

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Surviving a stroke changes your dynamic and circumstances in life. It changes the life you once knew.

No post discharge support = wasted acute care improvements
The Stroke Survivors Foundation working actively with teams from around the world is introducing the PDSS program, powered by Stroke focus, a project run by passionate survivors and organizations, who share the belief that stroke care can be improved by empowering local support organizations.

Designed and implemented by survivors for survivors based on Surviving a stroke, PDSS overcomes existing barriers preventing post-discharge stroke support in South Africa. The technology powering PDSS offers the path of least resistance allowing us to provide immediate and early support, care and information dissemination.

Early contact means we can establish an open channel of communication, which allows for a long-term relationship, making all the difference for the survivors and their family. PDSS is accessible to all people who have suffered a stroke and is available when they are still in early recovery and still fragile.

The critical point is to ensure that after Surviving a stroke, the survivor registers on PDSS before they are discharged from hospital.  By rolling out PDSS, we are building an ecosystem, made up of four categories, open for everyone passionate about improving stroke care to participate.  Let us find opportunities to help you reach the stroke community who, currently, is vastly underserved.
The Stroke Survivors Foundation stroke survivors Company Reg No: 2010/002369/08 NPO Number: 083-885 PBO number: 930 035 711

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT THE STROKE SURVIVORS FOUNDATION OR CONTACT 0835357735

stroke symptoms

Stroke symptoms

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A lot of misleading information has been shared about stroke, before knowing Stroke symptoms it is important to first understand what is stroke?

This is a sudden interruption in the normal functioning of the brain, often resulting in slurred speech and loss of muscle control and feeling on one side of the body. Usually stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells begin to die in minutes.

Coming Home Organization(CHO) helps to recognizing stroke symptoms

Since the medical management of a stroke varies depending on the length of time since stroke symptoms first appeared, and due to the fact that this will affect prognosis, prompt recognition of a stroke is extremely important.

How to recognize stroke symptoms?

Keep in mind that stroke symptoms usually start quite suddenly and get worse over time. You may be sitting at a table and suddenly be unable to hold your coffee cup or get your words out correctly.

Signs and stroke symptoms include:

  • sudden onset of weakness on one side of the body and slurred speech or dysarthria, meaning, the inability to make your words come outright.
  • A sudden change in the way you walk or feeling that one leg is not “acting right” can be a sign of stroke. Some patients also notice changes in their ability to see. Loss of balance is another common sign of stroke.
  • Patients who have blood around their brain may complain that “they have the worst headache of their life”.

CHO has recognized a useful acronym to recognize and respond to stroke symptoms using the word FAST approach:

  • F-Face

Drooping of one side of the face. Ask the person to smile and note if it is uneven.

  • A-Arms

Weakness or numbness in one arm. Ask the person to lift both arms. Does one extremity drift downward or is the person unable to lift it?

  • S-Speech

Difficulty in speech, is it slurred? Ask the person to repeat a phrase and note any changes in speech.

  • T-Time

If any of these symptoms are present, it’s time to call 911 immediately. Also, take note of the time since symptoms onset, which will be required by doctors to decide on appropriate treatment.

CHO is committed to educating the public about stroke and other chronic diseases. Make sure to follow us on social media: Coming Home for extra tips.