Pediatric stroke awareness uses a blue and purple ribbon. General stroke awareness uses a red ribbon. May is stroke awareness month in the United States. October 29th is World Stroke Day.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has information on strokes for patients and caregivers. The NIH describes stroke as:
“A stroke is a brain attack. It is a sudden interruption of continuous blood flow to the brain and a medical emergency. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked or narrowed, or when a blood vessel bursts and spills blood into the brain. Just like a heart attack, a stroke requires immediate medical attention.
Some brain cells die because they stop getting the oxygen and nutrients needed to function. Other brain cells die because they are damaged by sudden bleeding in or around the brain. Some brain cells die quickly but many linger in a compromised or weakened state for several hours. Stroke causes permanent brain damage over minutes to hours.
With stroke, “time is brain,” meaning that the sooner treatment begins, the better. Knowing the signs of stroke and calling 911 immediately can help save a relative, neighbor, or friend. With timely treatment it is possible to save these cells and greatly reduce and reverse the damage.“
Strokes in children are rare but significant when they happen. Signs of childhood stroke include (but are not limited to) weakness or numbness on one side of the body, seizures, confusion, vomiting, nausea, trouble walking, slurring of speech, and severe headache. Risks for strokes include heart problems, as well as, complications from infection. It is important to act quickly to receive medical care when a pediatric stroke is suspected.
The stroke awareness acronym is “BE FAST” used to help remember the signs of stroke. The stroke acronym means balance, eyes, face, arm, speech, and time.
- BALANCE – Balance loss or loss of coordination
- EYES – Eyesite changes: Loss, blurred, or double vision
- FACE – Face drooping or numbness
- ARM – Arm weakness or numbness in arms or legs on one side
- SPEECH – Speech difficulty: slurred speech or hard to understand
- TIME – Time for Help: If you experience stroke symptoms, it is important to quickly get medical care
The pediatric stroke awareness ribbon is available on a variety of merchandise that already has a variety of messages. There are also blank blue and purple awareness ribbon merchandise options too that can be customized. All items in the Awareness Gallery store can be customized with your own words and images. The red awareness ribbon is for general stroke awareness. There are also blank red awareness ribbon merchandise options for personalizing.
