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**TorryJens** · 07-14-2012, 08:53 AM

According to About.com's stroke expert, Dr. Jose Vega, this message was clearly authored by someone with no real medical knowledge and shouldn't be taken seriously. Following the instructions above, in fact, might do more harm than good.

"The email conveys multiple unfounded ideas about stroke," Vega writes, "but by far the most dangerous one of all is the suggestion that people should not be taken to a hospital until all their symptoms are resolved, on the grounds that 'all the capillaries in the brain will burst on the way to the hospital.' This statement is untrue and totally irresponsible."

The first thing you should do if you or someone you know exhibits symptoms of a stroke is call an ambulance. The most effective stroke treatment known, a blood thinner called tPA, must be administered within three hours of the onset of symptoms, so every minute counts. Delaying hospitalization for any reason may worsen the patient's prognosis.

Prior to the 19th century, bloodletting was a standard "cure" for practically everything, including stroke ("apoplexy"). In western medicine the practice was based on the ancient Theory of Humours, which held that all disease results from an imbalance of four bodily fluids: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. Siphoning off a certain amount of blood -- often copious amounts of it, actually -- was believed to restore the balance necessary for recovery from illness and long-term good health.
Like most medical advice dispensed in the form of a chain e-mail message, it has no scientific basis. In fact, following its advice can do harm.
Forcing a stroke victim to sit up is never a good idea, because it can cause a drop in blood pressure, says Dr. Larry Goldstein, director of the Duke Stroke Center.
It would be better to help the person lie down.
Pricking the victim's finger also is a bad idea, not only because it is futile, but because doing so can delay medical treatment, which is the only thing that can help.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Only emergency medical treatment can help a stroke victim.

Read more: Reality Check: Can pricking a stroke victim's fingers can help delay symptoms? - seattlepi.com

07-14-2012, 08:53 AM	#9
TorryJens Join Date Nov 2008 Posts 4,494 Senior Member	According to About.com's stroke expert, Dr. Jose Vega, this message was clearly authored by someone with no real medical knowledge and shouldn't be taken seriously. Following the instructions above, in fact, might do more harm than good. "The email conveys multiple unfounded ideas about stroke," Vega writes, "but by far the most dangerous one of all is the suggestion that people should not be taken to a hospital until all their symptoms are resolved, on the grounds that 'all the capillaries in the brain will burst on the way to the hospital.' This statement is untrue and totally irresponsible." The first thing you should do if you or someone you know exhibits symptoms of a stroke is call an ambulance. The most effective stroke treatment known, a blood thinner called tPA, must be administered within three hours of the onset of symptoms, so every minute counts. Delaying hospitalization for any reason may worsen the patient's prognosis. Prior to the 19th century, bloodletting was a standard "cure" for practically everything, including stroke ("apoplexy"). In western medicine the practice was based on the ancient Theory of Humours, which held that all disease results from an imbalance of four bodily fluids: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. Siphoning off a certain amount of blood -- often copious amounts of it, actually -- was believed to restore the balance necessary for recovery from illness and long-term good health. Like most medical advice dispensed in the form of a chain e-mail message, it has no scientific basis. In fact, following its advice can do harm. Forcing a stroke victim to sit up is never a good idea, because it can cause a drop in blood pressure, says Dr. Larry Goldstein, director of the Duke Stroke Center. It would be better to help the person lie down. Pricking the victim's finger also is a bad idea, not only because it is futile, but because doing so can delay medical treatment, which is the only thing that can help. THE BOTTOM LINE Only emergency medical treatment can help a stroke victim. Read more: Reality Check: Can pricking a stroke victim's fingers can help delay symptoms? - seattlepi.com
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