Women And Neurological Conditions (NAPSA)—Thelast decade has seen dramatic changes in under- standing the underlying causes of many neurological conditions. This has led to new methods of treatment and, in some cases, the promise of prevention. Developments in two neurological conditions—stroke and multiple sclerosis—are of special inter- est to women. According to a new report by the National Women’s Health Resource Center (NWHRC), women are more likely than men to have a stroke and morelikely to die from it. A stroke happens when clot shuts off blood flow to the brain or a blood vessel in the brain bursts. One reason a stroke may be more fatal to womenis that they are less likely to receive the necessary diag- nostic tests, even when exhibiting the symptoms. They are also less likely to receive post-stroke inter- ventions and more likely to be depressed and have impaired functions six monthsafter the stroke. Medical advances in treatment of stroke have made it possible to reduce permanent damage from stroke, yet only 10 to 20 percent of stroke victims are eligible because the time during which they can be effectively treated is so short. Patients must arrive at a hospital and begin treatment with clot- busting drugs within three hours of the first symptom. According to the NWHRC’s new report, it is imperative for women Stroke Symptoms If you see or have oneor moreofthese symptoms, don’t wait; call 911 right away: Sudden numbness or weaknessofface, arm orleg, especially on oneside ofthe body Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech Sudden troubleseeingin one or both eyes Sudden trouble walking,dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination Sudden severe headache with no known cause. multiple sclerosis (MS). The condi- tion, in which the immune system attacks nerve cells, is twice as common in women, leading some researchers to suspect a link between estrogen levels and the disease. Today, most people receive disease-modifying therapies as soon as they are diagnosed with MS. Such therapies are most effective when the disease is diagnosed early. Women who have MSneed to know that the effects of the disease can vary widely and that the disease typically strikes younger women. Thanks to the advances in how neurological diseases are diagnosed and treated, there’s a better understanding of the way diseases affect individuals. For more infor- mation on neurological diseases or for a complimentary copy of to learn to recognize stroke symp- Women and Neurologic Condi- of special interest to women is at www.healthywomen.orgor call 877-986-9472. toms andaskfor diagnostic tests. Another neurological condition tions,” visit the NWHRC Website
