Patty Chavez Women's #1 Cause of Disability? Think Stroke| Women's #1 Cause of Disability? Think Stroke |
| Our Bloggers - Patty Chavez | |
|
Writing about strokes has made me face my own fear once again. While working in a rehabilitation hospital years ago, I would always feel distressed while caring for a stroke patient. It would also remind me of my own family history and my risk. When reading that stroke is the number 3 cause of death and the number 1 cause of disability in women worldwide...well, then...let's find out how to prevent this in not only ourselves but the women in our family and our friends. Here's a few links I found to be interesting and worth a read:
I hope you can take time to watch this incredible video. Jill Bolt Taylor is a neuroscientist who suffered a massive stroke and after 8 years of rehab is sharing her experience via lecturing. She describes the physiological changes of her brain while experiencing the stroke...as well as her thoughts and feelings. http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/229
The Hazel K. Goddess Fund for Stroke Research in Women is a website dedicated to research and educating the public about women and stroke.
According to the National Stroke Association, twice as many women die of stroke than breast cancer and more women than men will die from stroke. Although stroke is considered a risk for the elderly, there are risks for young women which include family history, oral contraceptive use, migraine headaches, and vitamin B deficiency. In fact, among women under age 45, stroke is more common than Multiple Sclerosis. 'Stroke is Not An Old Woman's Disease!' describes 21 year-old Alissa Arcana's experience as an unlikely victim of a stroke.
May is National Stroke Awareness Month. This is the time to learn about stroke prevention, symptoms, and treatment. I hope you have time to check out the video and links...educating ourselves and others...it could save a life.
Comments (1)
 Write comment
|
|
Search Daily Cents
Patty Chavez
As a nurse practitioner, I am inspired and motivated by anyone and anything that can heal the body, mind, and spirit. I have practiced in nonprofit community clinics, university health centers, county health departments, and, currently, private practice. I specialized in women’s health for fifteen years focusing on the dreadful annual exam. After so many years of this, I thought of myself as a “master pelvic technician”. It is a strange occupation, but, somebody has to do it. My saving grace was the miracle of pregnancy. There is nothing quite like watching a belly stretch from the life within. From starting a period, to becoming sexually active, to carrying a pregnancy, and dealing with menopausal madness, hormones are just plain and simple humbling.
Keep up the good work Patty!