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Pitfalls of Advance Directives in the Post-Acute Space
Mary Vigal JD, LL. M. Tax
At any age, a medical emergency can leave a person too ill to make his or her own health care decisions.
Typically health care choices are documented in living wills and/or durable powers of attorney for health care.
These are referred to as advance directives and are not intended to be end of life instructions.
Often they are done as a part of an estate plan. ...
The Essential Guide to Stroke: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and Natural Approaches
Dawn Sheldon, MSN, RN Jul 9 2023
theepochtimes.com
Strokes, or brain attacks, are a leading cause of death in America . In 2020, stroke caused 1 out of 21 deaths in the United States. Luckily, many who survive a stroke can recover with minimal complications. Rehabilitation and lifestyle changes can improve recovery and minimize the risk of recurrence.
A stroke is a medical emergency caused by a loss of oxygen to the brain. Within minutes, brain cells die, which can result in lifelong complications or even death.
Recognizing the symptoms or signs of a stroke quickly will improve the chances of successful recovery. ...
Intakes of Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium and Risk of Stroke
Stroke remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality.1 Blood pressure (BP) is a major stroke risk factor.2 Since previous studies showed inverse relationships of potassium, magnesium, and calcium with BP,3–5 these electrolytes may also be useful in reducing stroke risk. Meta-analyses of prospective studies pointed toward inverse associations of dietary magnesium6 and potassium7 with stroke. For calcium, inverse associations have only been reported in populations with low dietary calcium intakes.8 Few studies included supplements in their estimates of electrolyte intakes.
We investigated whether higher dietary and total (diet plus supplements) potassium, magnesium, and calcium intake is associated with reduced stroke occurrence ...
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Complex function of magnesium in blood clot formation and lysis
Magnesium salts alone or mixed with other minerals and vitamins are commonly used as dietary supplements. Also, magnesium is infused intra-operatively in a variety of surgeries. Magnesium is one of the most plentiful intracellular divalent cation and is a cofactor in approximately 300 enzymatic reactions. Magnesium is considered safe; however, there are some reports on its health risk when overdosed. It has been reported that Mg2+ ions play a role in blood clotting competing with Ca2+ ions. Moreover, magnesium has a different and conflicting role on proteins of coagulation cascade and its net action on coagulation is difficult to predict. For this reason we have investigated whether magnesium can change clotting characteristics of plasma and blood. We have found that magnesium increases the clotting time in plasma and in whole blood in a concentration-dependent fashion. Also, blood clotted in the presence of increased concentration of magnesium, has progressively shortened the lysis time of whole blood clots. We postulated that Mg2+ exerts its anticoagulant influence by acting at the stage of prothrombin activation in the blood coagulation cascade competing with calcium needed for thrombin activation. Shortening lysis of whole blood clots can utilize an alternative mechanism. PAI-1 in the presence of thrombin, vitronectin and Ca2+ or Mg2+ is inhibited, causing larger amounts of tPA to remain in the free form. Excessive amounts of tPA activate plasminogen that lyses clots faster. However, further investigations are required to determine the clinical relevance of these observations ...
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A Stroke Unrecognized or Not Treated Timely Can Cause A Swallowing Danger
When a stroke damages the part of the brain that controls your throat muscles, the brain cannot send the correct signals to those muscles anymore. As a result, it can affect the ability to swallow. The severity of dysphagia ranges. Some stroke patients can swallow with difficulty, but others can't swallow at all.
Dysphagia is one of the most common sequels of acute stroke, affecting as many as 50% of acute stroke survivors. The presence of dysphagia in stroke survivors has been associated with increased mortality and morbidities such as pulmonary complications, malnutrition, and dehydration.
Patients with trouble swallowing following a stroke or other medical event are more likely to die in the hospital according to analysis led by researchers from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in 2018.
“This isn’t about money, as nothing can bring back the people we have lost. This is about recognition.”
MIDEO - My Informed Decision on Video
Many who have a Stroke are of advanced age. If you have a stroke, then what you're supposed to do is act quickly. You probably have a living will or an advance directive. Also, in certain states when you enter a hospital, medical orders such as physicians orders for life sustaining treatment may be completed on you without your understanding or permission. This is very important as when you're having a stroke often, you're not aware of your surroundings and your loved one or your health care agent may not be with you. There is new patient safety technology in the form of video based advance directives and medical orders called MIDEO. MIDEO is lifesaving patient safety technology to keep you safe when you're not able to speak for yourself. MIDEO complements your existing living will or advance directive and helps to ensure you receive the right care at the right time. With a Stroke, it’s imperative to act quickly and safely. Keep yourself safe with having your own personalized MIDEO ID.
Magnesium - Fact Sheet for Health Professionals
This is a fact sheet intended for health professionals. For a reader-friendly overview of Magnesium, see the consumer fact sheet on Magnesium.
Introduction
Magnesium, an abundant mineral in the body, is naturally present in many foods, added to other food products, available as a dietary supplement, and present in some medicines (such as antacids and laxatives) ...
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Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease
It affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it starts to die.
F.A.S.T. is:
Face Drooping Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
Arm Weakness Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech Difficulty Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "the sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly?
Time to call 911 If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.
Heart Disease and Stroke
The leading risk factors for heart disease and stroke are:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Cigarette smoking
- Diabetes
- Unhealthy diet and physical inactivity
- Overweight and obesity
These can all be controlled by a person. If they continue long-term, these risk factors cause changes in the heart and blood vessels that can lead to heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes. It is important to address risk factors early in life to prevent the development of chronic cardiovascular disease, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.. Cardiovascular health is significantly influenced by numerous factors, including:
- Childhood health
- Access to educational opportunities
- Availability of healthy foods, physical education, and extracurricular activities in schools
- Opportunities for physical activity, including access to safe and walk able communities
- Access to healthy foods
- Quality of working conditions and worksite health
- Availability of community support and resources
- Access to affordable, quality health care
Magnesium and Blood Clots
Magnesium is a mineral essential to many bodily functions, one of which is the regulation of blood clots. Blood clots are particles of blood that congregate to form a plug that inhibits bleeding and promotes healing. The presence of magnesium benefits blood vessel health by balancing with calcium in the body. The ratio of calcium to magnesium is important because while calcium is responsible for the formation of blood clots, magnesium is responsible for their termination ...
Visit website »Magnesium: Nature’s Miracle Mineral
Magnesium is one of the body’s most essential minerals, needed for the correct function of over 350 biochemical reactions in the body including maintenance of normal nerve and muscle function, regulation of blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, and support of a healthy immune system. Magnesium helps to regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels which is essential for brain function and also plays a critical role in the production of ATP (energy molecules) and protein synthesis...
Visit website »Mobile Stroke Units Make Brain-Saving Treatment Faster
The mobile stroke unit is a specialized ambulance equipped with a portable CT scanner.
It is among the most feared medical emergencies. What else but a stroke could make you think you'd rather have a heart attack? Sure, heart attacks are more fatal, but at least if you survive you can carry on more or less as before — without a dimming of the mind or the loss of key bodily functions.
Kids Learn Stroke Signs in Class Through Imitation
Andrea Esteban tried to smile with half her face, crossing her eyes in the process, and her third-grade classmates giggled. Matthew Velez struggled to speak, "Luh, luh, uh, gronk," and the kids erupted in laughter.
But the funny faces, the gibberish and some arm flapping were all part of a serious lesson to help kids learn the telltale signs of a stroke by imitating them. The idea is to enlist children, particularly those who may live with older relatives, as an army of eyes to help recognize the warning signs, get help for victims more quickly and hopefully save lives.
Atrial Fibrillation - AFib
Atrial fibrillation is a heart rhythm disorder that causes a rapid and irregular heartbeat.
AFib is the most common arrhythmia diagnosed in clinical practice. Estimates of the prevalence of AFib in the United States ranges from about 2.7 million to 6.1 million. That number is estimated to rise to 12.1 million in 2030.
Read how AFib untreated can lead to an unrecognized stroke.
This person had blood pressure at 210/90 when admitted to the ER and a pulse rate fluctuating between 80 and 130 beats per minutes. That's AFib!
Aging in America: A Cautionary Tale of Wrongful Death in Elder Care
Available in Paperback and Kindle formats
The Effect of Magnesium Intake on Stroke Incidence
The effect of magnesium on stroke has been consistently discussed less, and the results of previous studies have been contradictory. We reviewed the latest literature and quantified robust evidence of the association between magnesium intake and stroke risk.
Download PDF »Magnesium in Stroke Treatment
Magnesium is involved in multiple physiological processes that may be relevant to cerebral ischaemia, including antagonism of glutamate release, NMDA receptor blockade, calcium channel antagonism, and maintenance of cerebral blood flow. Systemically administered magnesium at doses that double physiological serum concentration significantly reduces infarct volume in animal models of stroke, with a window of up to six hours after onset and favourable dose-response characteristics when compared with previously tested neuroprotective agents. Small clinical trials have reported benefit, but results are not statistically significant in systematic review. A large ongoing trial (IMAGES) will report in 2003–4 and further trials are planned.
Download PDF »Magnesium-Rich Foods May Lower Stroke Risk
People who eat more foods rich in the mineral magnesium appear to reduce their odds of having a stroke, a new study shows.
The link between magnesium in the diet and stroke risk was strongest for ischemic stroke, which is when a clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain.
Researchers found that the risk for ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke in older people, was reduced by 9% for each additional 100 milligrams of magnesium a person consumed each day.
Serum and Dietary Magnesium and Risk of Ischemic Stroke
The authors sought to examine the relation between serum or dietary magnesium and the incidence of ischemic stroke among blacks and whites. Between 1987 and 1989, 14,221 men and women aged 45–64 years took part in the first examination of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study cohort. The incidence of stroke was ascertained from hospital records. Higher serum magnesium levels were associated with lower prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus at baseline. During the 15-year follow-up, 577 ischemic strokes occurred. Serum magnesium was inversely associated with ischemic stroke incidence. The age-, sex-, and race-adjusted rate ratios of ischemic stroke for those with serum magnesium levels of :::1.5, 1.6, 1.7, and 2:1.8 mEq/L were 1.0, 0.78 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.62, 0.96), 0.70 (95% CI: 0.56, 0.88), and 0.75 (95% CI: 0.59, 0.95) (Ptrend 0.005). After adjustment for hypertension and diabetes, the rate ratios were attenuated to nonsignficant levels. Dietary magnesium intake was marginally inversely associated with the incidence of ischemic stroke (Ptrend 0.09). Low serum magnesium levels could be associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke, in part, via effects on hypertension and diabetes.
Download PDF »Strokes are the #4 cause of death and the
#1 cause of disability in the United States
Today you may be happy, enjoying life, feeling good and having a great day. But, imagine tomorrow waking up and not be able to swallow or talk. No warning. You cannot ask for help. You cannot tell anyone that something is wrong. Your cries for help will not be heard. No one can hear you. You may even have medical personnel around you who do nothing or who actually incorrectly diagnose you and make you worse. You cannot tell them what is wrong. Precious time starts slipping by.
Fred Meyer Community Rewards
You can help the Survive a Stroke Foundation earn donations just by shopping with your Fred Meyer Rewards Card!
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