No Title 2206
SMART HEALTH – Strokes strike suddenly
SMART HEALTH – Strokes strike suddenly
Stroke is the # 3 cause of death in the
United States, trailing only heart disease and cancer
Dr. Michael R. Dobbs, UK College of Medicine assistant professor of neurology, defines stroke as the sudden onset of brain dysfunction usually caused by a blood clot in an artery, causing poor blood flow to a part of the brain or by the less common factor of bleeding into or around the brain.
“Stroke can affect anyone, including healthy young people,” says Dobbs. “Top risk factors include age, high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking. There are other very serious risk factors in many people, such as a common heart rhythm abnormality called atrial fibrillation. Smoking while taking oral contraceptive pills is dangerous and it is fairly common to see strokes in young women due to this.”
Quickly seeking medical attention is key for strokes. Call 911 for Emergency Medical Services at the first sign of a stroke.
“If someone is having a stroke, sometimes it is possible to lessen or reverse the damage with urgent treatment. Tissue plasminogen activator, or TPA, is a medication that is given soon after a stroke to help the body break apart blood clots that have formed in blood vessels,” says Dobbs. “The longer it takes to receive treatment, the less chance there is for a good recovery.”
Dobbs suggests you ask EMS to take you to a hospital that is a certified stroke center if one is nearby. In Kentucky they are: Baptist Hospital East, Central Baptist Hospital, Jewish Hospital and St. Mary’s HealthCare Inc., The St. Luke Hospitals Inc., University of Kentucky Hospital, and University of Louisville Hospital.
STROKE SYMPTOMS
Symptoms come on suddenly. Learn to recognize them, which may include any or all of the following:
* sudden weakness or numbness of one side of the body
* sudden dizziness
* sudden facial droop of one side of the face
* sudden difficulty speaking or understanding others
* sudden severe headache
Amy Ratliff provides health information for UK HealthCare.
Does my charitable contribution qualify for a deduction?
Thanks to IRS deductions, charitable contributions are still a win-win for both the giver and the recipient.
According to Michelle Musacchio, CPA and owner of Fit Money CPA in Louisville, “When you give to a qualified charity such as the Salvation Army, Humane Society, Goodwill, or your church, depending upon your taxing situation, you may be entitled to a charitable deduction on Schedule A of your individual income tax return.”
Musacchio offers these tips to help you qualify for deductions:
1. Save the receipt: “All qualified charities are required to give you a receipt for donations, no matter what the dollar amount,” Musacchio says. “You may not take a deduction for cash contributions unless you have a receipt.”
2. Household and clothing items: “You need a receipt for these items as well,” Musacchio mentions. “Clothing and household items should be in good condition to be donated.”
3. What about donated time? While it’s admirable to donate precious time to any organization, “You are unable to take a charitable deduction for your time or services rendered,” she notes. “But you may take a charitable deduction for mileage driven for charitable purposes and out-of-pocket expenses.” You must keep a record with receipts and mileage logs.
Sara Peak is a freelance writer with expertise in finance and wealth management. Have a money question? E-mail us at e-mail@kentuckyliving.com.
