Positive steps to stay healthy

[Barbara]

Back to the Psychology Today article for a moment, I thought this was key, too :

" These children are impulsive, moody, and can’t pay attention"

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/me ... -the-brain

This description fits SO many people of ALL ages today in the West ! We have to think about all these characteristics carefully, and observe
those around us. It helps to be aware that this phenomenon is so widespread - and may only grow if people don't get to Church and participate seriously !

[Maria]

If a loved one, a friend, or even a stranger presents with signs of a stroke, you can save their lives using the FAST technique.

• FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

  ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

  SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?

  TIME: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke ... e/act-fast

Further tests:

FACE:

• Look at their eyes. Have them look at you. Does one eye droop?

ARMS AND LEGS:

• Ask the person to raise one arm at a time, and hold it while you count to ten for them.
  While they are sitting down, ask them to raise one leg at a time while you count to ten for them.
  Ask them to open and then close their hand by making a fist

SPEECH:

• Use "yes" and "no" questions as a person with aphasia might not be able to communicate except by raising one hand for YES, and then lowering that hand for NO.
  In some cases, a person may only be able to communicate by blinking their eyes: twice for YES, once for NO. Or they may be able to lightly grasp or squeeze your hand, twice for YES, once for NO.

There are two major types of aphasia which affect different parts of the brain:

(1) receptive aphasia or Wernicke's aphasia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Receptive_aphasia

(2) expressive aphasia or Broca's aphasia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expressive_aphasia

The new drug tPA quickly dissolves blood clots which could cause problems with the heart, lungs, brain or other parts of the body. This must be administered within two hours to be effective in reducing symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

[Barbara]

Valuable help for people ! I for one would not have a clue what to do.
This is good that readers can quickly look up here what to do if, God forbid, such a possibility arises in any venue. Not just family but at work or anywhere.

Is the tPA accompanied by any side effects ? I guess one couldn't argue too much if there is this 2 hour window in which to administer it to succeed.

Does tPA more often reduce or completely break up the clot ?

[Maria]

Valuable help for people ! I for one would not have a clue what to do.
This is good that readers can quickly look up here what to do if, God forbid, such a possibility arises in any venue. Not just family but at work or anywhere.

Is the tPA accompanied by any side effects ? I guess one couldn't argue too much if there is this 2 hour window in which to administer it to succeed.

Does tPA more often reduce or completely break up the clot ?

tPA does have side effects, but the medical team said that if they do not administer the approximately four ounces of tPA to bust up the blood clots, then the patient could present with permanent disabilities when the blood clot(s) lodges in their brain.

If any of the following side effects occur while taking alteplase, check with your doctor or nurse immediately:
More common

• Bleeding from puncture sites and wounds - the IV insertion points can bleed excessively
  bleeding gums
  coughing up blood
  difficulty with breathing or swallowing
  dizziness
  headache
  increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
  nosebleeds
  paralysis
  prolonged bleeding from cuts
  red or black, tarry stools
  red or dark brown urine
  shortness of breath

Rare

• Chills
  confusion
  fainting
  fast heartbeat
  fever
  lightheadedness
  pain in chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves
  pain, redness, or swelling in arm or leg
  rapid, shallow breathing
  severe, sudden headache
  slurred speech
  sudden loss of coordination
  sudden, severe weakness or numbness in arm or leg
  sudden, unexplained shortness of breath
  vision changes

Incidence not determined

• Anxiety
  blue lips and fingernails
  blue or pale skin
  blurred vision
  chest pain or discomfort
  chest pain, possibly moving to the left arm, neck, or shoulder
  convulsions
  cool, sweaty skin
  cough
  coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
  decreased urine output
  dilated neck veins
  extreme fatigue
  hives or welts
  hoarseness
  increased sweating
  itching
  large, hive-like swelling on mouth, lips, or tongue
  loss of bladder control
  low blood pressure or pulse
  muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
  nausea or vomiting
  pain or discomfort in arms, jaw, back, or neck
  puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  redness of skin
  skin rash
  slow or irregular breathing or heartbeat
  sudden loss of consciousness
  sweating
  swelling of face, fingers, feet, lower legs, or ankles
  tightness in chest
  troubled breathing
  unconsciousness
  unusual tiredness or weakness
  weight gain
  wheezing

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/activase-side-effects.html

[Barbara]

That list looks scary to me.

How do these blood clots come into being ? How frequent are they ? What causes them ? IF any of these answers are known.

I hope no one else has to suffer from this problem. It sounds so serious, and with the side effects of the [activase ?] as listed, which I wouldn't be surprised could be even worse, this condition is something very frightening.

One should pray regularly that it never happens to any of us, our clergy, etc.

I assume tPA is a new treatment ? That's another worry. What if it is not well enough documented ?

Back to the thread's topic, is there any herb or other helpful natural ingredient which would stop the blood from clotting ??

Ever since I heard about this unfortunate experience of Maria's husband, I have been remembering a supplement called "Nattokinese", I think, which I saw years ago in a health food store.
It's a blood thinner, I guessed from reading the label. Would THAT help if one sensed any likelihood of having the blood clot anywhere in his or her system ?
I think we all have to listen to our instincts about such things - and not push those inner warnings aside.
Then, to act upon the nagging worries by taking proper supplementation to stave off all health problems.

[Maria]

That list looks scary to me.

How do these blood clots come into being ? How frequent are they ? What causes them ? IF any of these answers are known.

I hope no one else has to suffer from this problem. It sounds so serious, and with the side effects of the [activase ?] as listed, which I wouldn't be surprised could be even worse, this condition is something very frightening.

One should pray regularly that it never happens to any of us, our clergy, etc.

I assume tPA is a new treatment ? That's another worry. What if it is not well enough documented ?

Back to the thread's topic, is there any herb or other helpful natural ingredient which would stop the blood from clotting ??

Ever since I heard about this unfortunate experience of Maria's husband, I have been remembering a supplement called "Nattokinese", I think, which I saw years ago in a health food store.
It's a blood thinner, I guessed from reading the label. Would THAT help if one sensed any likelihood of having the blood clot anywhere in his or her system ?
I think we all have to listen to our instincts about such things - and not push those inner warnings aside.
Then, to act upon the nagging worries by taking proper supplementation to stave off all health problems.

Doctors still insist that taking a baby aspirin will help thin the blood.

However, the FDA is no longer recommending that practice.

Most foods contain salicylate, which is the active ingredient in aspirin.

Soy sauce also contains salicylate, so nattokinese would probably contain it too, as it comes from soy.

References: The links below contain lists of foods that naturally contain salicylates with avocados, melons, and pitted fruits being the most common sources.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salicylate_sensitivity

  http://salicylatesensitivity.com/resources/links/

  http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/salicylate-allergy

[Barbara]

Interesting. Aspirin comes from the herb Willow. Perhaps that has this same element as well, then ?
Thanks for the research on nattokinese.