The acronym FAST is a simple way to identify signs and symptoms of a stroke.  

Face: Is the face is drooping?
Arms:  Can you raise both arms?
Speech: Is the speech slurred, or jumbled?
Time to call 9-1-1

[mks_toggle title=”Click to view plain text version of infographic” state=”close “]Face: Is the face is drooping?
Arms:  Can you raise both arms?
Speech: Is the speech slurred, or jumbled?
Time to call 9-1-1[/mks_toggle]

A stroke can happen to anyone: children, young people and the elderly. It occurs when blood flow to the brain suddenly slows or stops and when this happens it only takes a few minutes for damage to brain cells to begin.

There are also some atypical symptoms that may be signs of a transient ischemic attach (TIA) or “mini-stroke.” They are signs of stroke that are not as obvious as FAST and they can include such as dizziness or feeling confused.

Experts say, “time is brain.” To help save more brain from being damaged, act FAST and quickly. Call 9-1-1 to get help if you think you’re seeing signs of someone having a stroke. 

The post Get help FAST when you see signs of stroke appeared first on Your Health Matters.

It was June 26, 2017, and Louis woke up at 6:00 AM feeling tired. After having some breakfast, Louis texted his partner to let him know he would be staying at home that day to rest. On the way back to the bedroom, he suddenly lost his balance.

“I was paralysed. I could barely move my legs and body,” says Louis. “It happened really fast. I had no idea what was happening. My priorities were about to change.”

Louis found he was no longer able to text. The only thing he could do was call his partner with one press of a button using an app on his smartphone.

“When I got through to him, I was only able to say ‘dizzy’ and ‘home’,” explains Louis. 

At this point, it was 6:15 AM. 

His partner recognised that Louis was slurring his words, which is one of the signs of stroke. Acting quickly, arrangements were made for another friend to tend to Louis while his partner drove over to pick them up. 

They arrived at Sunnybrook a short time later where Louis was rushed to the emergency department and treated right away, receiving stroke medication by 8:30am.

“In the case of a significant stroke, emergency blood clot-breaking medication can only be administered within 4.5 hours of the time of onset of the stroke,” says Dr. Mark Boulos, stroke neurologist at Sunnybrook.

“I am grateful I received the drug in time,” says Louis. “The stroke took me by surprise. I was 39 years old and I never thought I’d have a stroke.”

Why young people can have strokes

A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood suddenly stops flowing to any part of the brain. When this happens, the brain is not receiving oxygen and nutrients and brain cells begin to die.

“It is uncommon for younger people to be diagnosed with stroke, however, not completely unheard of,” says Dr. Boulos. “People of any age can experience a stroke; a child, youth, those in their 20s and 30s, and older. Stroke knows no age.”

The possibility of a stroke had never crossed Louis’ mind. 

“My health was excellent and I was in top shape,” he says. 

Louis’ doctors found a pre-existing heart condition that had never been diagnosed, called patent foramen ovale (or PFO), which is a congenital heart defect that can increase the risk of stroke. 

“I learned I had a hole in my heart,” explains Louis. “I had that hole for 39 years and didn’t know.”

Dr. Boulos says other factors may contribute to an increased risk of stroke in young patients such as genetic conditions that may predispose an individual to blood clotting or inflammation or abnormal blood vessels in the brain.

“The reasons why someone may have a stroke at a younger age are often quite different compared to strokes that occur in people at an older age,” says Dr. Boulos. 

“For example, young patients may have stroke from a tear in a blood vessel (known as a “dissection”), whereas other mechanisms, such as an irregular heart rhythm like atrial fibrillation or plaque build-up in an artery, will be more likely in an older patient,” he explains. 

General risk factors for stroke include: 

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• History of smoking
• Diabetes
• Sleep apnea

“It is important to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle to help reduce the risk of stroke,” says Dr. Boulos.

The importance of acting FAST when you see signs of stroke

It is also important to act quickly at the first signs of a stroke. More time means more brain is saved.

There are 100 billion neurons in the brain. They are crucial to helping us think, learn, move and talk. Each of these specialized cells is responsible for delivering messages to areas from the brain and spine to other cells in the body. 

When a stroke occurs, time is ticking. 1.9 million brain cells die each minute that a stroke goes untreated.  This is why experts say, “time is brain.” If you think you’re seeing the signs of stroke. There’s no time to lose. A stroke is a medical emergency.

“Strokes detected and treated earlier result in better outcomes compared to patients who get diagnosed/treated later in the course of the stroke,” says Dr. Boulos.

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Face: Is the face is drooping?
Arms:  Can you raise both arms?
Speech: Is the speech slurred, or jumbled?
Time to call 9-1-1.

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Life after stroke

It took many months, but Louis was able to make a full recovery.  

“I’m feeling strong,” says Louis. “I still exercise, eat healthy and continue the same good habits that I had before.”

Louis adds that having experienced a stroke has changed his perspective on life. “I am not stressed anymore by work, relationships or small things.”

For other stroke patients, Louis has this advice. “Take all the support you can get. Patience, resilience and discipline are important factors that have helped me get through it.”

The post I never thought I’d have a stroke at 39 years old appeared first on Your Health Matters.

Check out some tips below and start spring off with a new routine! (Tips from the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines)

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Let’s get moving.

Tips for adults age 18-65

• Aim for 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity per week.
• Your 150 minutes can be broken into 10 minute chunks.
• Include both muscle strengthening (ie. push ups, climb stairs) and bone strengthening exercises (ie. yoga) at least twice times per week.
• If you haven’t been active in a while, speak to your health-care provider. Start with low intensity (like a walk) and go slow.

Moderate intensity versus high intensity

• Moderate intensity will make you sweat a bit and breathe a little harder. During this activity you should be able to talk but not sing. Images cycling and walking.
• Vigorous intensity will cause you to sweat and be out of breath. You probably won’t be able to talk too much. Images basketball player and runner.

Tip: If you haven’t been active, start slow. Try parking further away from the main doors or get off the bus a stop early.

Physical activity provides many benefits

• It improves mental health, fitness, and strength. Images heart, arm muscle and brain.
• It reduces your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis and more. Images needles, heart monitor, ambulance.

Info from Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines. www.csep.ca/guidelines

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The post Let’s get moving this spring! appeared first on Your Health Matters.

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Give back this holiday season without spending a penny

• Volunteer: Give some time to a local hospital, shelter or charity.
• Perform a random act of kindness: Shovel a neighbour’s driveway, hold a door or check on a senior
• Give blood
• Give someone a compliment
• Share your rewards: Donate your loyalty program points to a charity
• Chop Chop! Donate long hair to organizations who make wigs for those undergoing medical treatment
• Donate: Share good quality clothes and household items with shelters and charities
• Go green: pick up litter, turn off lights and carpool
• Give somebody a compliment

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“Finding good health information online can be tricky,” says Patricia Dickson, an advanced practice occupational therapist with the Holland Bone and Joint Program. “When it comes to researching treatments, there’s often no magic pill or shiny object. Avoid websites that promise amazing results for little effort. And for good reason.” Patricia sees patients at the Holland Centre, who have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, and says it’s not about finding the cutting-edge experimental treatment, but going for the evidence-based, reliable treatments, that will improve your condition both in the short and long term.

No matter the health topic you’re researching, the better quality of information you get from credible articles and published studies, the more informed you’ll be when you talk to your health care team, says Patricia, and Ekaterina Petkova, a librarian at the Holland Centre Library in Sunnybrook’s Library Services.

And if you’re not still sure about the credibility of information you find, ask for advice from a librarian at your local library.

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Reliable?

Website credible? Visit government or large non-profit health agency websites. Look for well-researched, best practice treatment information.

Expert?

Author named? Credentials? Relevant to the health topic you’re researching? Are they linked to an academic institution?

Source?

Where is the information from? Our health care system is different from the United States. Try looking at Canadian sites first.

Everywhere?

The same article on many sites doesn’t make it reliable. It may be paid for or sponsored, and may not be objective.

Accurate?

Are there typos in the article? Does it reference a list of credible and published articles?

Reviewed?

Article or study been reviewed by a relevant specialist or group of specialists? Published in a peer-reviewed journal?

Current?

Timely information? When was the study done? How is the website updated? Do articles have dates?

How?

When looking at studies, how many patients participated in the study? How was the study done?

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The post There is no magic pill: tips on better ways to research health topics online appeared first on Your Health Matters.

With thanks to Dr. Carolyn Boulos, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Sunnybrook and assistant professor at University of Toronto.

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How the epidemic of loneliness if affecting our health

Rated of loneliness have doubled in the past three decades

Loneliness now affects 1 in 4 people

Loneliness is associated with…

Chronic disorders like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s

Mental illness, which was identified as a risk factor of loneliness as early as the 1950s

Depression and social withdrawal from intimacy in relationships with family and friends

Inflammation and impaired immune system from the chronic release of cortisol, a stress hormone

Premature death in the elderly from a lack of social interaction

Changes in gene expression from living in a stressful, lonely environment

Tips to fight loneliness

The quality of relationships, not the number, is key to being connected and understood

1. Share a meal or a walk – without screens. Being connected and social has health benefits as important as exercise. It will do your heart wonders, and result in more restful sleep.

2. Increase physical touch. It’s important for our nervous system, promoting feelings of safety and connection.

3. Connect with others who have similar interests. Groups with similar interests can help support healthier lifestyles and decrease loneliness.

4. Don’t underestimate the power of community. Connection, intimacy and feeling understood is the best medicine.

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More on this topic

A psychiatrist’s tips for avoiding & combating loneliness

It is important to know that you are not alone. If you or someone you know is suffering, help is available. Find resources and information at sunnybrook.ca/gethelp

The post How the epidemic of loneliness is affecting our health appeared first on Your Health Matters.

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A new study has found 24-hour glucose monitoring during pregnancy improves birth outcomes for women with type 1 diabetes and their babies.

The study

Who: the study involved 214 pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, aged 18-40, who manage their condition with daily insulin therapy.

What: an implanted continuous glucose monitoring device that provided 288 glucose recordings per day.

How: half of the women received a continuous glucose monitoring device and half used a traditional monitoring method.

Where: the study took place in 31 hospitals in Canada, England, Scotland, Spain, Ireland, Italy and the United States.

The results

(when compared with traditional monitoring)

Moms

• Women using continuous glucose monitoring  spent more time in normal range for blood sugar levels (68% vs 61% – equivalent to 100 minutes more a day)
• Women using continuous glucose monitoring spent less time with high blood sugar levels (27% vs 32% – equivalent to one hour less per day).

Babies

• In moms using continuous glucose monitoring, the number of babies born larger than average was reduced (53% vs 69%)
• Fewer babies were admitted to intensive care for more than 24 hours (27% vs 43%)
• Lower number of babies were born with low blood sugar levels (15% vs 28%)

The Clinical Trial Services/Centre for Mother, Infant, and Child Research at Sunnybrook Research Institute coordinated this study*.

*The study is also referred to as CONCEPTT

What it means for you

• Talk to you doctor: Ask your doctor about the best glucose monitoring option for you.
• Reduce risk: It is crucial to keep blood sugar levels within the normal range.
• Plan ahead: If you’re thinking of becoming pregnant, speak to your health care team about managing blood glucose levels.

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Unhealthy fats: Limit your intake.

Saturated fats

Saturated fats can raise your blood cholesterol and triglycerides, a type of blood fat in your body. Elevated levels of both of these in your blood can increase your risk for heart disease. Saturated fat is found in meat and dairy products, as well as tropical oils like palm oil and coconut oil.

Tips to limit your saturated fats:

• Choose lean cuts of meat, skinless poultry, and trim visible fat off the meat before cooking.
• Choose lower fat products such as skim or 1% milk, partly skimmed cheese, and fat-free yogurt.
• Use less butter, palm oil, and coconut oil.

Trans fats

Trans fats are even worse for your body than saturated fat because they raise LDL (“lousy”) cholesterol and lower HDL (“healthy”) cholesterol, increasing your risk for heart disease. They are formed during a process called hydrogenation when a liquid oil is “transformed” into a solid fat. Foods that contain trans fats include hard margarine, shortening, fast foods, and products made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oil.

Tips to eliminate trans fats:

• Food products that claim “Trans Fat Free” or “Zero Trans Fat,” actually contain 0.2 grams of trans fat or less per serving, which means it may still contain a trace amount of trans fat. Use the Nutrition Facts Table and Ingredients List to help you pick products that don’t have any trans fat.
• Choose non-hydrogenated margarine and avoid using hard margarine and shortening.
• Avoid eating fast food, but if you find yourself needing the quick fix, choose healthier options such as salad (go easy on the dressing) or grilled instead of deep-fried items.

Healthy fats: Eat in moderation.

Unsaturated fats

Unsaturated fats help lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol. They are mainly found in plant foods and are liquid at room temperature. Unsaturated  fats include monounsaturated fats that are found in canola oil, olive oil, nuts, nut oils, and avocado; and polyunsaturated fats that include omega-3 fats (more on that below).

Eating too much fat (even if it’s the healthy kind) can still lead to weight gain, so it’s important to use these fats in moderation. Use up to 2-3 tablespoons of added fats – like cooking oil or vinaigrette dressings – per day.

Tips to manage your unsaturated fats:

• Make heart-healthy dishes with a small amount of plant-based cooking oil and heart healthy cooking methods such as grilling, stir-frying, baking, and roasting. Keep in mind that the amount of cooking oil you use is more important than the type of oil.
• No matter how healthy your cooking oil, avoid deep-frying and pan-frying.
• Enjoy salads with oil-based vinaigrette instead of creamy dressings.
• Eat unsalted nuts and nut butters.

Omega-3 fats

Omega-3 fats are essential fats that our bodies need but don’t naturally make, so we must get it from food. Eating foods that are rich in omega-3 help lower your risk of heart disease by lowering triglycerides and raising HDL cholesterol. These foods include fatty fish such as salmon, trout, sardines; ground flax seed, walnuts, canola oil, and wheat germ.

Before starting omega-3 supplements, such as fish oil or flax oil capsules, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or dietitian to make sure it’s safe to do so. There may be drug-nutrient interactions with medications you are taking.

Tips to get your omega-3 requirements, without supplements:

• Eat fatty fish 2-3 times a week instead of meat.
• Sprinkle ground flax seed on your cereal or yogurt.
• Choose flax products and other foods high in omega-3 more often, such as flax bread and omega-3 eggs.

The Bottom Line

Know which fats are in the food you eat, and choose foods with healthier fats more often (but still in moderate amounts) to help keep your heart healthy.

For a quick-reference look at the content in this post, check out the infographic below.

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Heart-healthy nutrition 101: fat

Unhealthy fats – limit your intake

Saturated fats:

Raise blood cholesterol
Raise Triglycerides

Do this!

• Eat lean meat, skinless poultry, and trim visible fat off of meat before cooking.
• Choose lower fat dairy products like skim or 1% milk, partly skimmed cheese, and fat-free yogurt.
• Use less butter, palm oil, and coconut oil.

Trans fats:

Raise LDL cholesterol
Lower HDL cholesterol

Do this!

• Use non-hydrogenated margarine.
• Choose salad or grilled food items instead of deep-fried food at restaurants.
• Check the Nutrition Facts table and ingredients list to find food items with zero grams of trans fat

Healthy Fats – use in moderation

Unsaturated fats

Lower LDL cholesterol
Raise HDL cholesterol

Do this!

• Grill, bake, or roast your food with 2-3 tablespoons of plant-based cooking oil.
• Dress salad with oil-based vinaigrette instead of creams.
• Eat unsalted nuts and nut butters in moderation.

Omega 3 fats

Lower Triglycerides
Raise HDL cholesterol

Do this!

• Eat fatty fish 2-3 times a week.
• Sprinkle ground flax seed on your cereal or yogurt.
• Choose flax products and other foods high in omega-3, like flax bread and omega-3 eggs.

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The post What you should know about healthy and unhealthy fats appeared first on Your Health Matters.

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Avoiding Summer Health Hazards

Heat Stroke:

Food Poisoning:

Crashes:

Insect Bites:

Eye Damage:

Mower Injuries:

Swimmer’s Ear:

Firework Mishaps:

Boating Incidents:

Dehydration:

Sunburns:

Athletes Foot:

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The post Summer safety tips appeared first on Your Health Matters.

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Keep older adults safe from burns

Is there an older adult living with you? They are at higher risk for burn injuries. Keep them safe with these tips:

Wear short sleeves or tight-fitting clothes when cooking. Loose clothing can catch fire. Don’t cook or be close to flames when feeling ill.

Don’t smoke or have open flames near medical oxygen. Keep all candles, lighters, cigarettes etc. away from medical oxygen.

Test the water before bathing or showering. Older adults’ skin becomes thinner with aging, making them at higher risk for burn injuries. Install anti-scald devices in the bathroom.

Make accommodations for disabilities. Install smoke alarms and alert devices (strobe lights or bed/pillow shakers) for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Ensure anyone with a disability is included in your fire escape planning.

Remember, older adults are at a higher risk for burn injuries for many reasons, including slower reaction times and reduced mobility, balance, vision and hearing.

Learn more at ameriburn.org or health.sunnybrook.ca

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