Strokes: What You Need to Know

By Annie Stuart

Did you know that stroke is the third leading cause of death in this country? Strokes also cause more serious, long-lasting disabilities than any other disease. More than three-quarters of a million people in the U.S. have strokes each year.¹

                First, let’s get clear on exactly what a stroke is. A stroke – or “brain attack,” as it’s sometimes called – is a medical emergency just like a heart attack. It occurs when blood flow to the brain stops, causing blood cells to die within minutes. Usually a blood clot blocks a vessel in the brain. But a blood vessel that breaks may bleed into the brain, also causing a stroke. “Mini-strokes” occur when the brain’s blood supply is cut off for a short time.²

                Could you become one of the dreaded stroke statistics? Possibly. You are at increased risk for stroke if you are over age 55; male; African-American, Hispanic, or Asian/Pacific Islander; or if you or someone in your family has had a stroke in the past.

                Even if you have all of these uncontrollable risk factors, you can take steps to prevent stroke. In fact, 8 out of 10 strokes can be prevented by:

• Reducing blood pressure to readings below 120 over 80
• Quitting smoking (this alone doubles your risk)
• Drinking fewer than two drinks a day
• Reducing blood cholesterol to levels below 200 mg/dL
• Controlling diabetes, a disease that causes abnormally high sugar levels in the blood
• Exercising regularly
• Eating a low-sodium diet
• Getting treatment for a heart circulation problem or an irregular heart rhythm, called atrial fibrillation³

                Our Health Mart website can give you more tips on reducing some of these risks.  Start here: http://www.healthmart.com/senior_health_wellness.php.

                If you have a stroke, more than one ability may be affected, including your speech, memory, sight, movement, balance, and coordination. In addition, you may experience a severe headache, numbness, weakness, or even paralysis. Symptoms come on suddenly and often affect only one side of the body.^2,3

                If you ever have any of these symptoms, get yourself to the hospital right away. Don’t wait, even if you’re not sure you’re having a stroke. Treatment can quickly dissolve clots or reduce bleeding.² With prompt treatment, some people recover completely.³

                What’s life like after a stroke? If you or a loved one have had a stroke, you know how challenging it can be. A stroke can cause a range of problems from trouble with language, swallowing, or movement to depression, or personality changes and cognitive challenges. It’s important to know that many resources are available to help you. They include:

• Strength training, balance, and movement therapy
• Occupational therapy, which can help with self-care skills
• Speech-language therapy to aid communication
• Cognitive training to help with memory or problem-solving
• Psychology, psychiatry, or support groups to help with social skills and emotional health⁴       

                If you need advice about these and other forms of assistance. such as adaptive technology or home health care products, we can help point you in the right direction. There’s no need to suffer in silence or alone.               

SOURCES

1. National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. “Know Stroke: Know the Signs. Act in Time.” http://stroke.nih.gov/.
2. MedlinePlus website. “Stroke.” http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/stroke.html
3. National Stroke Association website. “What Is Stroke?” http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=PREVENT
4. American Stroke Association website. “Post-Stroke Rehabilitation.” http://www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1041

Medications with a Personal Touch - January 2009

“Before the advent of multi-billion dollar drug companies, pharmacists were compounders by definition. It has been estimated that ‘a broad knowledge of compounding’ was still essential for 80 percent of all prescriptions dispensed in the 1920’s.” _¹

   Industrialization meant that many of the medications that the pharmacist prepared could be mass-produced more economically, and in some cases, more elegantly, due to the equipment possessed by manufacturers. Specialties made locally by the compounding pharmacist were replaced by patented drugs which were widely marketed by the drug companies. But, many health care professionals now realize that bigger is not always better, and that one size does not fit all, and once again, realize the advantage of prescribing compounded medications that can be customized by the local compounding pharmacist to solve problems that have not responded to commercially available medications, or to facilitate treatment of patients who are unable to take commercially available medications. Certainly, improved technology and new discoveries in chemistry and physiology have enhanced the modern pharmacists’ ability to formulate unique preparations to meet specific patient needs. A pharmacist who has received advanced training in the art and science of extemporaneous compounding and who possesses the proper equipment and quality ingredients, can work together with the patient and his/her physician, dentist, or veterinarian (and other health care professionals who are licensed to prescribe) to customize a medication containing the proper dosage of the needed drug(s) in the most appropriate dosage form for administration by the preferred route. Now, approximately 2 to 5% of all prescriptions in the U.S. are for compounded medications.

   In addition to providing medications in strengths, flavors, and dosage forms that are not commercially available, compounding pharmacists can also prepare medications that are temporarily unavailable or have been discontinued for non-safety issues such as decreased usage or short shelf life which makes the medications unprofitable to mass produce.

   Compounding pharmacists are regulated by their State Boards of Pharmacy and are required to follow federal guidelines known as USP chapters 795 (for non-sterile) and 797 (for sterile compounding). Compounds can be assayed for potency, and in the case of sterile preparations, for sterility. In addition, professional organizations have established rigorous accreditation standards, and excellent continuing education courses and international seminars are available, allowing compounding pharmacists to network with their colleagues and discuss novel preparations that meet specific patient needs.

¹ Dentaltown, July 2007; 8(7):62-66.

Copyright 2008, Storey Marketing - Compounding News. All rights reserved. Questions regarding this article should be directed to the compounding professionals at Moye's Pharmacy.