What are the symptoms of a stroke?

Q: What is a stroke and what kind of symptoms can warn me that I'm having one?

A: Stroke is a form of brain injury. It occurs when normal blood flow to the brain is interrupted, depriving the brain of oxygen. The brain cannot tolerate a lack of oxygen for more than a few minutes.

If normal blood flow is not restored quickly, then permanent brain damage occurs. This results in a stroke.

Generally speaking, stroke symptoms are sudden in onset and include the following:
- Inability to speak or understand speech.
- Loss of vision in one or both eyes.
- Loss of strength, particularly on one side of the body.
- Facial weakness or drooping.
- Loss of sensation, again often on one side of the body.
- Severe vertigo, particularly if accompanied by double vision, nausea and vomiting.

Sean C. Orr, M.D. is board certified in Neurology and Magnetic Resonance Imaging with the Stroke Center at Baptist Medical Center.

Q: I believe that I have a sinus infection. Do I need antibiotics?

A: Cold viruses are by far the most common cause of upper respiratory tract infections. Most colds resolve in one or two weeks and antibiotics are not effective for viral infections. Although, they can be effective for sinus infections caused by bacteria.

Bacterial sinus infections are often considered if symptoms last more than seven to 10 days. However, a recent study suggests that the duration of symptoms and the presence of facial tenderness or colored nasal discharge cannot reliably predict whether a sinus infection is due to bacteria. The authors recommend that antibiotics should not be prescribed for most episodes of sinusitis. However, if you have recurrent episodes of sinusitis or a chronic sinus infection, antibiotics should be prescribed.

Sanjay Swami, M.D. is board certified in Internal Medicine and Allergy and Immunology with First Coast Allergy and Asthma.

Q: I'm a recovering alcoholic and so is my husband. Our 14-year-old daughter grew up with both of us drinking but we both got sober through Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) four years ago. Our daughter seems to be more sensitive than other girls her age. She gets her feelings hurt easily and always worries about hurting other people's feelings. Is her sensitivity and worry a normal teenage stage or is this because of her parents past drinking?

A: First, good for you and your husband! Four years ago, you both made the most important decision for the health and well being of your child and for yourselves. Now to answer your question, yes. Most teenage girls have a tendency to feel overly sensitive, easily hurt and to worry about things, even if their parents have never touched a drop of alcohol! However, children who grow up in an environment where alcohol or other drugs are abused may have the ''volume turned up'' on these types of feelings and reactions.

Many children of addicted parents feel responsible for everyone else's feelings and might feel like they have to control everything around them. I am responding in this way not to make you feel guilty; it appears you and your husband, have an illness which is now in remission and that is wonderful.

However, any illness a parent has also affects the rest of the family. This is true for all illnesses, not just addiction. The great news is that there is much help available for your daughter, in the same way AA was available to you.

Alanon is a 12-Step program much like AA, but it is designed specifically for families and friends of alcoholics.

Alateen is an Alanon program for adolescents who are or were affected by someone else's drinking.

There are several Alateen meetings offered throughout Jacksonville. Access to information about free meetings, locations and times is as easy as picking up the phone and calling (904) 350-0600 or logging on to: www.al-anon.alateen.org/alateen.html.

Individual and/or family counseling are also recommended to help your daughter process her feelings.

If her sensitivity or worries are significantly impairing her relationships or performance at school, I would strongly recommend an evaluation by a qualified mental health professional. Lastly, it is important to know that many children of addicted parents grow up into happy, healthy people who make good choices in their lives because of seeing the not-so-great choices their parents once made.

So, move forward and give your daughter lots of love and support, as you already have done just by reaching out!

Heidi Pomm, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist with St. Vincent's Family Medical Center.

APPETITE FOR HEALTH

Hummus

By Kerri C. Napoleon, RD, LD

Most people have heard of the popular Middle Eastern/Mediterranean bean dip called Hummus.

It's a simple recipe of chick peas, olive oil, Tahini paste (crushed sesame seeds) - found in specialty stores, fresh lemon and garlic. It's a great side that can add beneficial heart healthy fat to your diet.

Hummus, Arabic for chick pea, has been apart of the Mediterranean diet for thousands of years. Chick peas are a legume that are often used as a rotation crop to wheat and barley. Planted in alternate years, these rotation crops replenish nitrogen in the soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.

As you can see, they are not only nutritionally beneficial, they are great for the environment as well.

One half cup of chick peas has 135 calories, 2 grams of fat, 22 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of fiber and 7.5 grams of protein. They are an excellent source of iron, and contain a good amount of soluble fiber - the type of fiber that decreases your cholesterol.

Fortunately chick peas are only one part of the equation that makes hummus so great, the other main ingredient is olive oil.

If you're interested in the least bit in good nutrition, you know the health benefits of olive oil - high in the heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. When combined with chick peas, olive oil gives you a powerful heart-healthy dip that is high in good fat, contains some protein and fiber, too.

Most people eat hummus as a dip that goes great with pita bread. No doubt, that makes a great snack or appetizer, but let's venture further and borrow some ideas from those who hail from the beautiful area along the Mediterranean, who consider hummus as part of the meal.

The Mediterranean diet has long been touted as a heart-healthy way of eating, typically offering plenty of grain products, vegetables, legumes, nuts, fruits, fish, poultry and moderate amounts of wine. Other sources of protein include yogurt and cheese. Hummus, on the other hand, is often used as part of a meal whether it is the binder for a vegetarian sandwich or the side/dip for chicken kabobs, it serves as a heart-healthy, satisfying fat.

The next time you're planning a meal, think about utilizing the delicious and satisfying Middle Eastern favorite - Hummus.

HUMMUS WITH TAHINI
Yield: 3 cups
Prep Time: Less than 10 minutes
Cook Time: Approximately 15 minutes
4 garlic cloves, minced and then mashed
2 15-oz cans of garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed
2/3 cups of tahini (found in specialty stores)
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon of salt

Pine nuts (toasted) and parsley (chopped) for garnish
In a food processor, combine the mashed garlic, garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, 1/2 cup water, and olive oil. Process until smooth. Add salt, starting at a half a teaspoon to taste.
Spoon into serving dish and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and chopped parsley.
Serve with crackers, raw vegetables such as carrots or celery or with pita bread.

GRILLED VEGGIE WRAPS
Yield: 2 Servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
1 medium zucchini, cut in half lengthwise
1 medium yellow squash, cut in half
1 medium red bell pepper
1 medium green bell pepper
Salt and black pepper
Olive oil
1? 2 cup shredded fresh spinach leaves
2 - 8'' herbed or spinach wraps
2 Tbsp Sabra Roasted Garlic Hummus

Drizzle squash and peppers with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill, turning frequently until outer skins of peppers are charred and squash is almost cooked through. Remove from grill and allow to cool. Spread each wrap with heaping 2 Tbsp of Sabra Roasted Garlic Hummus.
Sprinkle evenly with chopped spinach leaves. Peel roasted peppers and remove stem and seeds. Slice in to thin strips and set aside. Slice squash thinly on the diagonal. Divide grilled vegetables in half and arrange over Sabra Hummus and spinach in center of wraps. Roll one end in and tuck both sides while rolling. Squeeze as you roll to keep shape. Secure with toothpicks and slice in half on the diagonal.

Recipe provided by www. sabra.com

FOCUS ON FITNESS

TRAQ 3D

By Holli Welch

One Jacksonville fitness center has proven that getting fit and staying in shape is really a matter of playing games.

TRAQ 3D Health Fitness, located in Mandarin, opened its doors in January and doesn't boast a room full of weight machines or treadmills. In fact, the only machine you'll find is the TRAZER, a simulator that provides more than 17 virtual-reality activities for participants.

TRAQ 3D - short for Training, Reaction, Agility and Quickness - is based on the ''movement is life'' concept. Participants wear a belt with an infrared sensor that tracks his or her movement with the TRAZER. During a 30-minute session, the participant works through various games with the belt recording his or her speed in all directions, tracking acceleration, deceleration, calories burned and heart rate.

For local franchise owner Danny Murphy, it's the idea of playing a game that makes TRAQ 3D so successful.

''With many other workouts, there is an incorrect perceived exertion; people think they are working harder than they really are,'' said Murphy, who has more than 20 years of experience in the fitness industry as an exercise merchandise sales rep. ''But it's the opposite with TRAQ 3D. When you are playing the different activities, your concept of work is lowered but you are really burning calories.''

Murphy said some people may burn 15 to 25 calories in a minute while playing the games.

For this reason, many parents find this new concept to be ideal, especially for children who refuse to exercise but are willing to play a game for 30 minutes.

''We are able to serve those who are not engaged by the gym - like children,'' Murphy said. ''The kids are mentally engaged in the game, not thinking about getting a workout even though that is what they are achieving.''

For the founders of TRAQ 3D, this is a step toward fighting the growing rate of childhood obesity as more than 9 million children in the United States were considered overweight in 2007, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Intervention.

The facility is open to a wide range of members as young as 5 and up to 95. The only other TRAQ 3D facility in the United States is located in Ohio and boasts a 90-year-old member among others.

SKIN SENSE

The Beauty of Pregnancy

By Noreen Young

''You're pregnant,'' possibly two of the happiest words most women want to hear. You'll escape in the wonder of it all, questioning whether the baby will be a girl or a boy or perhaps twins. Nonetheless, it's a joyous time filled with many changes from moods to skin and even more obvious - your body.

One mommy-to-be, Teri, a local hair stylist who stands on her feet most of the day cutting hair, has already noticed the changes - itchy tummy, nausea, enhanced food cravings, and a few mood swings. All, mind you, within the first eight weeks of her pregnancy.

My mom, Jessie, craved sucking on coal chips before I was born and had a lot of bloating. Her complexion remained calm and smooth.

While no one can predict how you will feel or how your skin will react to the many hormonal changes or even how large your belly bump will be, it's important to keep your pregnancy stress-free with a little pampering!

Remember, surround yourself with people who make you happy and who are supportive. No gloom and doom friends or family with wives tales of horrible pregnancy symptoms. Keep a happy spirit!
Beauty bytes for the mommy-to-be:

It's best to avoid hair color after your first trimester. Instead, try highlights as they do not penetrate the scalp and the blood stream like hair color.

Don't think about getting your teeth whitened. Instead, use mild whitening toothpaste and mouth wash.

Add massage to your life and get one at least monthly. Ask the therapist to use a non-scented oil just in case you get nauseous from the scent.

Your skin may go haywire or it may be glowing, no one knows for sure until you are in the midst of pregnancy. Moisturize well. If you have heat waves use Asian powder papers to blot oil and refresh your face.

Go for a facial either once a month or every few months. It cleanses your complexion thoroughly as well as balances your skin and mood.

To control an itchy tummy and to help with stretch marks, use shea or cocoa body butter.
Moisturize from head to toe. Wear a lip conditioner with vitamin E, rose oil, or macadamia oil at night. They help nourish dry or flaky lips and keep you kissable. Yes, you still want to be kissed! Let your baby feel the LOVE!

Stay out of the jacuzzi but a warm bath is fabulous and add a bit of aromatherapy for bubbles. The same goes for tanning beds!

Pretty and pampered hands and feet are a must. You won't even be able to see them at some point, so keep them looking their best. A leg massage will help with the swelling and dryness you may have.

Your breasts will be EXTRA luscious so moisturize them and massage a light fragrance-free skin cream all over them.

Keep your pantry stocked with anything ginger: cookies, crackers, etc. It helps with nausea.

Keep a journal or diary of your pregnancy and give to your child later. It's a great way to keep your sanity while your body is changing and hormones are raging.

Being pregnant doesn't mean you have to go out of style. Wear splashes of color near your face. Try a new scarf, necklace, earrings, shawls or blouse.

Look for H Magazine in the first week of each month.

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