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See the article below for information on how to reduce the risk of Diabetes and Stroke by improving your diet. Article by Jamie Mok of the Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.

The Diabetes Prevention Program, a large study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, found that high-risk individuals who lost 5-10% of body weight with diet and exercise significantly reduced their chance of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%. If the word “diet” makes you want to throw in the towel, do not give up hope! The old-fashioned “diabetic diet” is far off from today’s nutrition recommendations. Diabetes experts recognize that nutrition for diabetes is not “one size fits all”. Successful meal plans should consider age, gender, height, weight, physical activity, medical history, medications, and personal goals. Low carb? Sugar-free? Gluten free? Wheat free? With over 100 million Americans trying to lose weight, this $80 million dollar industry keeps new fad diets trending. Subscribing to one “miracle diet” after another is unhealthy and can be harmful, especially to those with medical conditions like diabetes. So what should we be eating? A healthy diet for a diabetic is generally the same as someone who is not diabetic. The key to eating for better health is a matter of quality and quantity. It’s important to understand that not all nutrients are created equal. A healthy meal plan is a balance of high quality carbs, proteins and fats. The majority of carbs we eat should be minimally processed. Whole grain breads, cereals, crackers and pasta; brown and wild rice, oat bran, beans, lentils, sweet potatoes, fresh fruits and vegetables are examples of high quality carbs rich in vitamins, minerals and soluble fiber, which slows the rise of blood sugars. On the contrary, low quality carbs, or refined sugars, are discouraged as they offer little nutritional value. Foods like white breads, cereals, crackers, pasta and rice; chips, cookies, cakes, candy, soda and juice hit the blood stream quicker causing blood sugars to rise more rapidly. Pairing high quality carbs with high quality proteins and fats further slows the rise blood sugars as the body works on digesting and absorbing all three nutrients at once. Fish, skinless chicken and turkey, lean pork and beef, egg whites, nonfat milk, yogurt, and cheese; beans, lentils, peas, soybeans, tofu, tempeh, soybeans, nuts and seeds are delicious sources of high quality protein. In addition to blunting the rise of blood sugars, high quality fats, namely monounsaturated fats and omega 3 fatty acids, offer cardiovascular benefits including improve blood cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, reduce blood clots and decrease inflammation. Therefore consuming more high quality fats reduces risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Olive oil, canola oil, avocado, peanuts, pecans, almonds, Brazil nuts, and all-natural nut butters are good sources of monounsaturated fats. Omega 3 fatty acids are found in wild-caught coldwater fish like salmon, herring trout, tuna, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, ground flaxseed, flaxseed oil, chia seeds, walnuts, walnut oil and canola oil. We can see that the “super-sized” shift in our eating patterns correlate to the rise in obesity and numerous related chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes. Portion control is equally as important as the quality of food we eat. As mentioned earlier, every body is different therefore the “right” meal plan varies between individuals. Advise a registered dietitian for nutritional guidance to customize a meal plan that’s right for you. To get started, visit the American Diabetes Association website (diabetes.org) and Joslin Diabetes Center (joslin.org) for diabetes and nutrition resources.

~Jamie Mok, MS, RDN Clinical Dietitian II, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center

Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of disability. When considering risk factors for any disease, the approach of most people is to lower their risk of death, but stroke offers a whole host of other maladies to take into consideration. Granted a person survives their stroke, they are at a 90% chance of suffering permanent disability – often of which, is quite frightening. One of the most common side effects of a stroke is Aphasia – the condition in which a survivor is unable to communicate at no loss to their former intelligence. The condition is looked at in many ways, as being stuck inside of one’s body.

A recent article published by the Washington Post, in light of Stroke Awareness Month, details a Brain Stem Stroke Survivor’s feeling of ‘being trapped inside’ of her body post stroke. She endured a long and daunting road to recovery and suffered from a paralyzing condition called ‘Locked-in Syndrome,’ in which, she was fully aware of her surroundings but completely paralyzed and unable to communicate.

‘Locked-in Syndrome’ is just another after effect of stroke to consider in this month dedicated to raising awareness. To read the article on Alfaro and her experience with ‘Locked-in Syndrome’, click on the link below. Another aspect of Alfaro’s story to take into account is that she was just 32 when she experienced the stroke that left her temporarily paralyzed.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/%E2%80%98i-was-still-in-there%E2%80%99-a-32-year-old-learns-what-it%E2%80%99s-like-to-be-trapped-inside-her-own-body/ar-BBswF4i?li=BBnbfcL

Stroke warning signs:

• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding
• Sudden dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
• Facial drooping limited to one side of the face

Get to the Hospital within 3 hours and as soon as possible by calling 911 if any of these signs are noticed. 3 hours is the Goldilocks window to save yourself or another person from permanent brain damage or death in the event of a stroke.

Also, consider the core 4 risk factors of stroke:

• Hypertension
• Diabetes/Obesity
• Heart Disease
• Depression

A recent article published by The Huffington Post Australia and written by stroke survivor David Roland, details how life after a traumatic event can – if the sufferer chooses it, become more positive. In the article, David Roland explains how the advent of his stroke made him question the bigger things in life, such as who he wanted to be and who he wanted to spend time with. David then went on further to explain that after the ‘dark years’ of questioning and healing had passed, he grew to appreciate the person he had become, rather than the person he was. The phenomena is known as ‘Posttraumatic Growth’ in which essentially the sufferer of a traumatic event becomes stronger and more positive as a result of the trauma. Roland finished off by explaining that now he’s learned to appreciate the simpler things in life that we all take for granted. For a link to this insightful article that would be of value to any stroke survivor reeling from a recent stroke, see the url below.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/david-roland/disability-sucks-sometimes_b_9154614.html

In February of 2016, the foundation entered into a new frontier of stroke prevention and awareness. Since 1998, the Foundation has been focused on educating an 18+ demographic, but February saw the Foundation entering into high schools to educate the youth on the dangers of America’s top five killer. For three straight weeks the SMART Staff of the RTH Stroke Foundation entered into Anaheim High School and educated a body of four hundred ninth grade students on stroke. The first week was a summation of stroke and what causes stroke, the second week was an interactive session where the students performed activities that would make them relate to stroke and understand it, and the third week consisted of video testimony of stroke survivors.

The program received and overwhelmingly positive response and the body of four hundred students are now well versed in stroke signs and symptoms, what leads to them, and how to prevent them. The SMART Program will be returning to Anaheim in March and April with the groundwork already laid out for sessions to continue during the next school year.

Our second seminar of the year which was conducted in partnership with the Downey Patriot, PIH, Rio Hondo Event Center, and USC, saw a record number of attendees. Around 200 people hungry for stroke information and screenings packed the venue and sat for the presentation given by Dr. Tara Dutta. Don’t miss out on our next big event. All of our seminars and screenings are offered at no charge to attendees. See the events calendar below for a list of upcoming seminars and sign up for one today.

https://rthfoundation.org/events-calendar/

Our stroke support group broke new ground this year with dozens of new attendees and two exciting holiday parties. Our Halloween office party saw dozens of stroke survivors and their caregivers dressed in costumes and enjoying themselves over the potluck menu. This Tuesday, we held another stroke support group party for Christmas etc. Many of the group members enjoyed themselves over conversation, sandwiches from Steffanos, and holiday Christmas caroling courtesy of Laguna Hills High School and their talented students. Our stroke support group hosted by Tiffanie and Donna went above and beyond this year to ensure that those who may have started off the year with many challenges in the aftermath of their strokes, ended the year with clarity and enjoyment in their lives. The RTH Stroke Foundation is fiercely committed to preventing strokes just as much as it is dedicated to mitigating their after effects. The stroke support group was fundamental this year in accomplishing that goal.

The RTH Stroke Foundation presents the ‘3rd Annual Strikes Against Stroke’ fundraiser event, ‘Night At The Races.’ The event will be hosted September 26th 2015 at the Astor Classic Museum in Anaheim, in attendance will be special celebrity guest, Dan Dotson of ‘Storage Wars.’ Proceeds from the event will be directed toward our educational and stroke awareness programs. For more information contact Janet French at (888)-794-9466 or email to: [email protected].

Watch the video below to learn more about the horse races!

For more information on where the event will be held, visit the Astor Classic Museum’s website www.astorclassics.com. Showcased at the museum are a whole line of classic automobiles and other historical items.

To see the package options for the event as well as donation information, please view or download the brochures below.

Sponsorship Packages And Registration Forms

Donation Form

We hope to see you there!

Downey Patriot, July 18, 2013 For the third time in as many events, a person’s life was spared because of a life-saving screening at the Primary Stroke Prevention Seminar Wednesday at Rio Hondo Event Center. This remarkably successful series of events has provided free carotid artery, aortic abdominal aneurysm and blood pressure screenings for more […]

The Downey Patriot, May 23, 2013 The more than 200 people who attended the May stroke seminar in Downey got a real medical two-fer.  First they heard a compelling presentation on the causes of strokes and strategies to prevent them from Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center’s Amytis Towfighi, MD. Dr. Towfighi is Chair of […]

  The Downey Patriot, February 28, 2013 On a Wednesday at the Rio Hondo Event Center, more than 300 people attended a free stroke prevention seminar and took part in carotid artery screenings. At the doctor’s office, these screenings would have cost a total of more than $150,000. But on this day, the RTH Stroke […]

The Downey Patriot, February 21, 2013  When a front page story in The Downey Patriot announcing a stroke prevention seminar appeared last February, the response was overwhelming and a lot more. The 80 people who expressed interest the first day of the announcement ended up ballooning to well over 300 attendees by the day of […]

The Downey Patriot, February 7, 2013  The  piece opens with the odyssey of Sarah, a young mother who suffered her first stroke.  Its theme: Sarah’s stroke didn’t have to happen, and neither do the thousands of strokes that occur each day. The article goes on to describe the efforts of the RTH Foundation and others […]

From Keck School of Medicine of USC, Wednesday, August 23, 2012 Dr. Bruce Ovbiagele, professor of neuroscience at the University of California, San Diego, gave the first Roxanna Todd Hodges Visiting Lectureship in Stroke Prevention and Education on July 31, 2012. Dr. Ovbiagele examined the connection between  chronic kidney disease and stroke. The lecture was […]

From Keck School of Medicine of USC, Wednesday, May 16, 2012  The Roxanna Todd Hodges Foundation, which is dedicated to preventing stroke, made a $6 million gift to establish the Roxanna Todd Hodges Comprehensive Stroke Clinic and the Roxanna Todd Hodges Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Program at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. “This […]

There are 790,000 strokes in the U.S. annually, 610,000 of which are first-time strokes. Stroke is the Number 4 cause of death, and the leading cause of adult disability in the U.S.

It’s natural for stroke survivors to get a serious case of the blues. Your world has been unexpectedly turned on its head. But you don’t have to go it alone during your recovery and beyond.  The RTH Stroke Foundation offers free twice monthly Stroke Support Groups where stroke survivors and their family members, friends and […]

Be looking for the following stroke warning signs: Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination Sudden, severe headaches with no known cause […]

Bri Winkler to share her stroke survival story

Free event will include complimentary blood pressure, carotid artery screenings.

WRITTEN BY :   Greg Waskul, Contributor

DOWNEY – The RTH Stroke Foundation announced today that it has opened up 150 additional seats for its upcoming free Primary Stroke Prevention seminar on Wednesday, July 30 because of a very special guest who will be joining the program.

“ABC-7 meteorologist Bri Winkler will be joining us to share her very personal experience with stroke at the July 30 seminar, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Rio Hondo Event Center,” said RTH Stroke Foundation President Deborah Massaglia.

Seminar attendees will also receive free carotid artery screenings (which can cost more than $500 in a doctor’s office).  Free blood pressure screenings will also be offered to all seminar participants. The screenings are being underwritten by PIH Health.

Reservations may be made online at rthfoundation.org/seminars or by phone at (888) 794-9466.

“Based on our previous experience, these slots will be filled very quickly, so we suggest that those wishing to attend this free stroke prevention event sign up immediately,” Deborah said.

In addition to Bri Winkler, who will talk about her stroke, her recovery and why she feels she was given a second chance at life, the seminar will feature a presentation by renowned physician and researcher Dr. Nerses Sanossian.  He will speak about the warning signs of stroke and how people can reduce their risk of having a stroke.  Dr. Sanossian is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the USC Keck School of Medicine and Director of USC’s Roxanna Todd Hodges Comprehensive Stroke Clinic.

“Attending this seminar is very important, because about 80 percent of strokes can be prevented,” Dr. Sanossian said. “More than 800,000 new stroke cases are reported each year in the United States,” Dr. Sanossian said. “Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in our country, with about 130,000 people dying because of stroke each year. By attending this seminar, you will learn how not to be part of those statistics, he said.

“Dr. Sanossian is always a very highly rated speaker, and we are excited to pair him with Bri for this very special event in our Downey seminar series, which has already saved many lives and has been the most successful stroke prevention seminar series in the history of our nation,” Deborah said.  “Bri’s stroke at such a young age shows us that we must all do everything we can to prevent a stroke, regardless of our age.”

Here is a snapshot of Bri’s stroke experience, as captured by KABC’s Emmy award-winning health reporter Denise Dador:

You know her as part of the weather team at ABC7.  But meteorologist Bri Winkler wants to share a story that few have known about — until now.  And what you learn from her story, could save someone’s life.

Just three years ago, at the age of 24, Bri woke up feeling a numbness spread from her face to her entire right side. She didn’t know it at the time, but Bri was having a stroke, and now she is on a mission to let people know how stroke can hit anyone, at any age.

Bri predicts weather patterns for a living, but no one could predict the health scare she endured Sept. 12, 2012. She had set her alarm for 5 a.m. to exercise, but five minutes after she woke up, she realized something was terribly wrong.

“First, I lost the hearing out of my right ear,” said Bri. “The numbness spread to my face and went down to my arm and my leg. When I went to stand, I realized I couldn’t. So then I had to get on the floor and crawl.”

She crawled to her phone and called her sister, Tara, who lives 3,000 miles away in Boston.

“My sister thought that I had low blood sugar, so she was trying to coax me down to the kitchen. At the time, I lived in a two-story condo, so I had two flights of stone steps to get down,” said Bri.

Bri “army crawled” all the way down, dragging her body only using her left arm and leg. Looking back, Tara recalls she thought it might be a stroke but she second-guessed herself.

I thought, ‘Why would a 20-year-old girl with no history? No one in our family has ever had a stroke. Why would it be a stroke?” said Tara.

One telltale sign of stroke is slurred speech, but Bri was speaking clearly. Eventually, Tara realized it was something serious and reached out to a family friend in Southern California, who called 911.

Paramedics rushed Bri to Huntington Hospital. For someone to have a stroke in their 20s is very rare. But the type of stroke Bri had was exceptionally rare. The cause was a vertebral artery dissection. She had a flap-like tear in a key blood vessel.

“It could either be spontaneous, meaning that it just happens. It can be because of some sort of trauma,” said Dr. Arbi Ohanian, a neurologist at Huntington Hospital.

Ohanian says in Bri’s case that trauma could have been triggered by certain yoga poses or chiropractic manipulation. Bri did both shortly before her stroke. Doctors still can’t say for sure what caused the tear, but what they do know is that a blood clot had formed, blocking a key artery in Bri’s brainstem in the area that controls breathing and heart rate.

“It was in a very scary location,” said Ohanian.

And the clock was ticking. The standard treatment is giving a drug called TPA, sometimes called a “clot buster,” which can reverse the effects of a stroke.

But it has to be given within three hours of the stroke. By the time Bri arrived at the hospital, doctors had little time to assess her condition.

With only two minutes left, Ohanian had to make the crucial decision. He felt it was Bri’s only chance. To his relief, it worked.

“Within what felt like seconds, I could feel my face again and it spread down to my arm and my leg. It was this insane pins and needles, but it was such a beautiful awakening. It was like every cell was becoming alive again,” said Bri.

After her stroke, Bri looks back and realizes so many things could have gone wrong.

“I view it as such a positive thing in my life because I do appreciate everything a lot more,” she said.

If she didn’t wake up to exercise, she might have slept through the stroke. If she couldn’t get someone to call 911, she might have missed her treatment window. At any point, things could have ended far differently and she knows it.

“There’s a reason why I’m here today and I really think a big part of that is spreading the story,” Bri said. “And if that’s all that I can do to make one person learn the symptoms and maybe they save a life or they save their own life, then I’ve done my job.”

“Perhaps Bri or Dr. Sanossian will help you save your life or the life of someone you love on Wednesday, July 30 at Rio Hondo Event Center,” Deborah said. This is one event you do not want to miss!

http://www.thedowneypatriot.com/article/bri-winkler-to-share-her-stroke-survival-story/

June 9 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

THE OC STROKE ASSOCIATION SUPPORT GROUP WELCOMES STROKE SURVIVORS & CAREGIVERS TO, TWO SESSIONS twice a month. Dates: Second and Fourth Tuesday of every month in 2015 Session One: 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Location: 23382 Mill Creek Drive, Suite 130, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Our first session deals with…