The Human Condition: Brain Attack

Defined as a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel leading to the brain, stroke is America's third leading cause of death. Each year, almost 700,000 Americans suffer a stroke, leading to costly, painful lifestyle changes for both patient and family. Combining two real life stroke cases with expert medical opinion, this video briefly but clearly outlines the scope of the problem and points the way to prevention and treatment programs available to help alleviate this health epidemic. Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels are two key elements in any prevention plan, together with reducing weight and stress, increasing exercise, and pinpointing other necessary lifestyle adjustments. Brain Attack discusses the all-important warning signs of a stroke, notably weakness or numbness on one side, and/or problems with vision, walking, or speaking, reminding viewers that if any of these symptoms persist for more than 10 minutes, it's time to seek prompt medical help. In fact, swift medical intervention can limit, even reverse much stroke damage; however, the window of opportunity is brief, no more than a couple of hours. The program explains different types of stroke; outlines new methods of treatment, such as "clot busting" drugs; and examines current technology, including MRI imaging. A good first step towards increasing public awareness of stroke, this program is part of the 26-volume video/telecourse series The Human Condition (series price: $899), which offers a comprehensive overview of health and health care issues, ranging from individual conditions (such as Brain Attack, which can be viewed independently) to inequities in health care delivery. Although medical information is extremely time-sensitive, either Brain Attack separately, or this general survey as a whole, is likely to be valuable in both health libraries and public library collections (supplementary print and online texts are available with series purchase). Recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)