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www.strokenewsletter.co.uk
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| Welcome
to the first issue of Stroke Newsletter, an organ
of the North Manchester Stroke Council, a voluntary
forum which aims to increase awareness of stroke
and reduce the burden of stroke (brain attack) in
the community of North Manchester. It will be published
monthly and circulated widely throughout North Manchester.
It is a newsletter for everyone - patients, carers,
healthcare professionals, managers and every member
of the public. Therefore, everyone is also welcome
to contribute to the Stroke Newsletter. Similarly,
everyone is invited to join the NM Stroke Council
- together we will reduce the burden of stroke! |
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| Stroke,
or brain attack, is similar to heart attack. Stroke
is the number one cause of adult disability in the
UK. Stroke is also the third most common cause of
death in the UK. Both of these consequences of stroke
cause enormous burden on families and communities.
The
good news is that we can do a lot to prevent stroke
(brain attack) ourselves. We can also increasingly
do a lot to reduce the consequences of stroke
and the impact on families and communities. These
will be the focus of the Newsletter - and we welcome
comments, questions and suggestions from everyone.
We would also like to hear and share in your experiences
of stroke and related matters.
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- Increase
awareness of stroke in North Manchester
- Promote
the development of an integrated stroke service
in North Manchester
- Promote
and support a multi-disciplinary Stroke Team
working in hospital and the community
- Give
advice and support to stroke patients, their
carers and others
- Promote
training in stroke care
- Develop
in-house training for members of the stroke
team
- Promote
evidence-based stroke care
- Improve
stroke care through regular audit
- Advance
stroke knowledge and practice through research
- Develop
links with other stroke groups locally, nationally
and internationally
- Establish
links with voluntary organisations involved
in stroke e.g. Stroke Association, Different
Strokes, etc
- Develop
and support a community user group for stroke
(Stroke Club)
- Reduce
the burden of stroke in North Manchester
Membership
of the Stroke Council is open to all patients,
carers, healthcare professionals involved in stroke
care, members of staff of North Manchester General
Hospital, general practitioners, members of the
community stroke team and interested members of
the public. Officers of the Stroke Council include
patients' and carers' representatives as well
as members of various healthcare professions.
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Some
of the common causes of stroke (brain attack)
include :
1.
High Blood Pressure
You
need to have your blood pressure checked at every
opportunity (at least twice a year) in order to
find out if you have high blood pressure. Adequate
control of blood pressure, with medications and
lifestyle changes, prevents stroke.
2.
Diabetes
Having
high blood sugar (diabetes) also causes stroke,
amongst other problems. Testing for the level
of sugar in blood is the best way of finding out
if you have diabetes or not. This should be done
at every opportunity. Adequate control of diabetes
with diet and/or medication reduces the risk of
complications including stroke.
3.
Smoking
This is a major cause of stroke, in addition to
heart disease, bronchitis and lung cancer.
4.
Excessive alcohol use
Is also an important cause of stroke, amongst
many other problems such as liver disease.
5.
Physical Inactivity
Is also a risk factor for stroke. Regular exercise
is very important in promoting good health and
reducing the risk of stroke.
6.
High blood cholesterol
Predisposes
to heart disease and stroke. A health diet (low
in saturated fat) and/or medication to reduce
blood cholesterol, protects against heart disease
and stroke.
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Patients
with stroke are often looked after by several healthcare
professionals, (in hospital and in the community).
Their team approach improves the outcome of stroke
for patients and their families. Some members of
the stroke team include :
- General
Practitioners (GPs)
- Nurses
- Physiotherapists
- Speech
and Language Therapists
- Occupational
Therapists
- Psychologists
- Dieticians
- Social
Workers (Care Managers)
- Stroke
Liaison Officer
- Hospital
Doctors
We
will carry a brief description of the role of
each of the other members of the stroke team in
subsequent issues, starting here with the most
important member of the team - the nurse.
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These
briefly include
- Organisation
and co-ordination of care on a 24-hour basis
- The
administration and monitoring of several acute
interventions/treatments in stroke, including
thrombolytic therapy;
- continuation
of therapy;
- maintenance
of skin integrity, bowels, bladder, hydration
and nutrition;
- prevention
and treatment of disease and complications;
- patient/carer
education, support and counselling;
- participation
in research and audit, as well as training and
development in various skills and knowledge
areas.
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- North
Manchester Stroke Club :
Contact
Marion Sharkey (Secretary) Telephone 0161 720
2510 FAX 0161 720 2503
- Next
social event :
Thursday evening 4 May 2000 Imperial Club, Delaunays
Road, Crumpsall, M8 9JS
- Smoking
Cessation :
Crumpsall Clinic, Humphrey Street, Crumpsall,
M8 9JS
Jane and Denny : telephone 0161 720 8181
0161 205 5998 (Manchester)
0161 787 0296 (Salford & Trafford)
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Mrs
Brenda Gibbons (Secretary)
- Telephone
0161 795 4567
- Bleep
4053
Dr
U Ahmed (Chairman)
- Telephone
0161 720 2790
- FAX
0161 720 2613
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| Thursday
25 May 2000 1.00 - 2.00 p.m.,
Stroke Rehabilitation Unit (Homewood), Seminar Room,
North Manchester General Hospital |
| This
Newsletter is supported by an educational grant
from Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd |
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