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With the worrying increase in stroke victims amongst a previously unaffected age group of 40 to 54 year olds, which has actually doubled in the last 10 years; lifestyle has been identified as the main reason for this frightening increase. This is an actual increase of 50% in men and 30% in women, says the chairty The Stroke Association. No longer are strokes something which only affects the elderly over 60s age group – it can happen any time! Binge drinking, over eating, and an increased intake of fast foods and fizzy drinks, plus a sedentary lifestyle so common amongst the UK population now; are blamed for the increase in victims of this devastating and often life threatening illness. There is usually no warning that it is about to happen to you! Channel 4 News broadcast a report about the increases occurring in almost epidemic proportions, which included interviews with the Stroke Association and a relatively young woman whose life was saved by her husband having seen the now discontinued Government’s public health commercial; currently on the home page of this website.
The Tory Government ceased all funding for public health commercials in 2010, which included the Stroke advice item and that of Flu prevention and of lowering Salt intake information commercials. Since they were stopped, an increase in deaths from heart attacks and of strokes is being partly blamed for the lack of awareness amongst the public due to the ceasation of public health campaigns. Yesterday also saw the issueing of a fact and information packed letter to all CWU Branches from Dave Joyce, the Union’s National Health, Safety & Environment Officer. In the LTB325/15 which contained 5 leaflets in PDF format, Dave wrote: ‘May 2015 has been designated 'Action on Stroke Month 2015'. The Stroke Association is urging people to take part in ‘Make May Purple’ to raise awareness and funds to conquer stroke. Every year there are approximately 152,000 strokes in the UK - one stroke every three and a half minutes. The majority of people affected are over 65 but anyone can have a stroke.
The FAST test identifies the most common symptoms of a stroke or mini-stroke in three easy to recognise categories. FACIAL weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped? Has their face fallen on one side? SPEECH problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say? Is their speech slurred? The LTB ended with the following: For more information visit: http://www.stroke.org.uk/strokemonth http://www.stroke.org.uk/sites/default/files/files/AoSM%202015%20Order%20form_Editable.pdf The Stroke Association believes in life after stroke. That’s why they support stroke survivors to make the best recovery they can. It’s why they campaign for better stroke care. And it’s why they fund research into finding new treatments and ways of preventing stroke. If you want more information contact the Stoke Association:- Stroke Helpline: 0303 3033 100 The full LTB is downloadable here and all of the information leaflets from the Stroke Association are also downloadable from this website’s E -Library Database
Source: CWU LTB325/15 |
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You can recognise a stroke using the FAST test: