Stroke stories can be strange

Stroke strikes at odd times and in strange circumstances, depending on where you happen to be at the time. I just happened to be sleeping and was very fortunate that a case of hiccups woke me up. Not an uncommon occurrence, I have heard. However, there are more exciting circumstances for lightning to strike. How about piloting a plane or in the middle of running for re-election? Alas, relaxing with a daily pint of green tea (not beer!) may help to balance things out. I do drink a daily cup of green tea to help control my weight. My husband does too. I am at my fighting weight. I guess it’s not working for him; he needs to drop about 20 pounds. Enough about me…here are the more interesting topics that came up in the news in September.

Minnesota-made parachute deployed in crash

A small plane that crashed in Indianapolis deployed a whole-plane parachute made by Ballistic Recovery Systems Inc. The plane itself was also manufactured by a Minnesota company, Duluth-based Cirrus Design Corp.

The plane's pilot reportedly may have suffered a fatal stroke while flying the plane. In an Associated Press news report, witnesses to the crash, who helped rescue the pilot's family members after the plane hit the ground, reported hearing 'a big poof' when the parachute deployed.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2006/08/28/daily13.html

Epilepsy and Stroke

Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by seizures -- caused by changes in the way brain cells send electrical signals to each other. The National Epilepsy Foundation says epilepsy can be triggered by conditions that affect the brain, such as stroke or a tumor, or the disease can be inherited.

http://www.foodconsumer.org/777/8/Health_Tip_Understanding_
Epilepsy.shtml

Stroke, Sleep apnea and Age

Older adults with sleep apnea may face a more than doubled risk of stroke, according to a new study. Aug. 30, 2006 -- Older adults with sleep apneasleep apnea may face a more than doubled risk of strokestroke, according to a new study.Researchers found undiagnosed sleep apneaapnea increased the risk of stroke by 2.5 times among the elderly. Previous studies have linked severe sleep apnea to strokes in middle-aged adults, but researchers say this is the first study to show an increased risk associated with the sleep disorder among older adults

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/126/116517

Green Tea for Long Life?

People who drink at least a pint of green tea each day have a lower risk of death, a Japanese study shows. Green tea may prolong your life through reducing heart disease and stroke," Kuriyama tells WebMD. "Our findings might explain the differences in mortality profile between Japan and the United States. The Japanese age-adjusted rate of mortality due to [heart disease and stroke] is about 30% lower than that of the United States."

The findings appear in the Sept. 13 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association. Green Tea: Might Americans Benefit? Kuriyama's study is based on data collected since 1994 among more than 40,000 healthy Japanese people aged 40 to 79. More than 86% of the study participants remained in the study for 11 years. Participants filled out detailed questionnaires about their daily diets and health.

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/127/116678

Congressman has Stroke

DOVER, Del. Aides to Delaware Congressman Michael Castle say he's recovering from two small strokes. Doctors say they expect the Republican lawmaker to recover fully with no lasting effects from the stroke. Castle, who is 67, is said to be talkative and in good spirits. DOVER, Del. Aides to Delaware Congressman Michael Castle say he's recovering from two small strokes over the weekend. Doctors say they expect the Republican lawmaker to recover fully with no lasting effects from the stroke. Castle, who is 67, is said to be talkative and in good spirits.

Castle, a former two-term governor, lieutenant governor and state legislator, is Delaware's longest-serving congressman. He is seeking an eighth term as the state's sole representative in the House.

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