Another study confirms need for stroke awareness

Have you had a stroke? Know someone who has?

Then you probably already know the problem. People aren't aware of stroke signs and are not quick enough to react. Here's a snippet from a article about a recent study, showing how awareness of stroke symptoms can improve recovery:

A new study shows most stroke patients don't think they're having a stroke, and as a result don't get medical attention until their condition gets worse.

Researchers studied 400 patients who were diagnosed at Minnesota's Mayo Clinic emergency department with two different kinds of strokes. Only 42 percent thought they were having a stroke and most didn't even go to the emergency room when the symptoms appeared.

So remind those around you of the stroke symptoms - here they are from the American Stroke Association. And when you see the symptoms, act quickly. Here's another link from the National Stroke Association.

From the No Kidding Department...

A recent headline from U.S. News and World Report:

Specialized stroke care improves outcomes. From the article of Nov. 20, 2008:

Stroke patients treated at community hospitals with specialized stroke care and telemedicine support from major stroke centers are more likely to survive and live independently than patients treated at hospitals without stroke units, a German study finds.

It's vital to get stroke patients to the right place or in communication with the right people. Ideally both. This can be crucial in the outcome of a stroke.

As Thanksgiving Day gets closer, I give the Lord thanks that I was able to get into the hands of people who knew exactly what to do.

And the light will guide your way

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

-Psalm 119:105

I received a gift last Christmas - a light attached to an elastic band. The idea is to wear it around your head while working or moving.

What's the point of that? Well, during some times of the year, and on some days no matter what the time of the year, I run before dawn, and without light, it's easy to stumble. This small light has prevented countless falls.

Just like the little light, God's word lights the way for stroke survivors and caregivers. When it seems the darkness is impenetrable, when it seems you can't help but stumble, find the light. Listen to the word, study the word, pray with the word.

Running the daily race with perseverance

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

-Hebrews 12:1-3

"[L]et us run with perseverance" is good advice in all pursuits, but especially in pursuits of faith. But the writer of Hebrews didn't stop there - we need to have some goals and aims, too, so the writer added "the race marked out for us."

Photo below shows my recent finish, along with one of my daughters, of the Bass Pro Shops Conservation Marathon in Springfield, Mo. That was the race marked out that day. But one day - an actual race or not - is just a part of the entire races marked out for us all.

The "cloud of witnesses" the writer refers are all the historical figures who had come before, listed in Hebrews 11 as examples of lives that Christians should attempt to emulate, all designated as lives lived "by faith."

Stroke survivors, caregivers and loved ones often have difficult races marked out. Faith and the support of fellow believers can make a real difference. No surprise for those with faith, and for outside evidence, there's an American Heart Association article.

So, "by faith," are we running our races with perseverance, following the marks? And supporting those who are running the race of stroke recovery?

Straining toward the goal - no matter what

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 3:12-14

Many stroke survivors know what it's like to strain forward in recovery.

I had my own experience pressing toward a goal on Sunday, Nov. 2, finishing the Bass Pro Shops Conservation Marathon in Springfield, Mo. Didn't set a world record but did set a personal record of 4:40:38, which is better than 15 minutes faster than my last effort, pre-stroke in 1997.

Regardless of one's physical level, there's a goal we can strain for. The goal is winnable for all - as Paul's first sentence above talks about, it's not about being "perfect." But a perfect life with Christ is the ultimate prize.

Lean on me...

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

-Galatians 6:2

You can often find this Scripture passage in relation to Stephen Ministry efforts (for example, click on the illustration or this link).

Like the old song goes...

Lean on me when you're not strong,
and I'll be your friend,
I'll help you carry on;
For it won't be long 'til I'm gonna need
somebody to lean on.

Staying physically active can help in recovery

Be active, stay active.

That's the recent news as reported here. A quote from the article:

Strokes that occurred among the most physically active individuals were 2.54 times more likely to be mild and half as likely to leave victims impaired compared with those in the lowest exercise quartile, reported Lars-Henrik Krarup, M.D., of Copenhagen University Hospital, and colleagues in the Oct. 21 issue of Neurology.

In my own experience, I believe that God gave me an interest in running to keep me fit enough to survive and recover through my stroke.

Good news, but be cautious

Several blogs and other sources have played up news from a study written up in the journal Stroke:

Mice receiving a ginkgo biloba extract after a stroke - induced in a laboratory - suffered abouthalf the damage in mice who did not receive the extract. From one blog, here's a summary:

Extract from the leaves of the ginkgo tree offers promise to minimize brain damage caused by a stroke, scientists said on Thursday.

Mice given daily doses of ginkgo biloba extract before having a stroke induced in the laboratory suffered only about half the damage as animals not given it, researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore wrote in the journal Stroke.

Mice who did not get ginkgo before a stroke but were given it five minutes after a stroke sustained nearly 60 percent less damage in the day after the stroke than those not given ginkgo. And mice given ginkgo 4-1/2 hours after a stroke had about a third less damage than those not given ginkgo.

So this is promising news - something to follow.

One caveat, though - this isn't your over-the-counter gingko biloba. This supplement is widely marketed as a pill to help your memory and concentration. They also could interact - and not in a good way - with prescription medication for stroke prevention. Those would include warfarin, Plavix and Aggrenox.

So if you want try the supplement, talk to your doctor. For your health and safety.

Thirsty? Find your ultimate electrolyte

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

-Psalm 63:1

I've been increasing my miles lately in my running schedule, and have been extremely thirsty from time to time. If you run long distances - say, 90 minutes or more - and drink only water, there's a chance you'll actually harm yourself, with something called hyponatremia.
That's why runners drink Gatorade or similar products. It's about electrolytes, the substances such as sodium and potassium that help your body retain fluids and may prevent muscle cramps. If you run, you sweat. Sweat contains electrolytes, and if you sweat too much without replacing electrolytes, you suffer. In severe cases, people have died.
Struggling with the aftermath of a stroke can lead to a thirsty soul. So consider this: Water is good. But your faith can lead you to your ultimate electrolyte.

With the wing, comes hope; with hope, comes strength

"[B]ut those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

-Isaiah 40:31

I'm guessing you recognize this from a longer quotation, from Isaiah 40:28-31. I don't have any stats to back it up, but this has to be one of the most quoted verses in the Bible.

It's quoted because it's comforting. And who doesn't need that? It's about hope strengthening faith, and with a renewed strength in faith, so much is possible. Pray today for someone struggling with stroke outcome - pray for a renewal of hope and strength in faith.