Know the signs of stroke

She was my best friend. I could, and often did, talk to her about anything; she had so much wisdom. She read all the time, wanting to learn and experience all she could. Despite having dropped out of college to raise a family, no subject was too difficult for her - science, world politics, philosophy, astronomy all fascinated her. We had such fun jumping from topic to topic.

Then my mother had a succession of strokes. Their cumulative effect on her mind function was quick and strong. She was only in her 50s, but in a matter weeks, her life, she, changed dramatically.

Now mom is still as sweet, but like a young child. Her intellect, her emotions, her ability to cope, understand or remember anything of complexity is gone. She is no longer healthy in other ways; unlike a child, she's too big to force her to eat vegetables, exercise (even walk), or avoid fats.

That's a strong incentive to take care of yourself. May is Stroke (and high blood pressure) Awareness Month. Stroke symptoms can vary by person, but know these basics:

* Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body.

* Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.

* Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

* Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

* Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

* For women, sudden limb pain, nausea, weakness, shortness of breath, or chest pain may also occur.

If in doubt, try the tests below, but act fast. Had mom been taken to the ER when her slurred speech and "feeling weird" first occurred, damage could have been minimized.

* Does one side of face drop when they try to smile?

* Is speech slurred when a phrase is repeated?

* Does one arm drift downward when both are raised to the side?

Risk factors for both genders include family history, high blood pressure or cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, being overweight, and lack of exercise. Women who suffer migraines are at 3 to 6 times greater risk. Birth control pills and HRT also increase risk.

When they affect mental function (and often do), strokes can suck a life dry; what remains may be light years from the life envisioned. It's a big motivator. I watch the scale more carefully, keep blood pressure down, and drag myself to the gym. And hope.

Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Email sholehjo@hotmail.com.