Signs of Stroke? Act Immediately!

When experiencing the most common type of stroke caused by blocked arteries, every minute counts. Time lost is brain lost. An estimated pea-sized piece of brain dies for every 12 minutes that treatment is delayed. (Learn more)

Receiving medical attention and clot-dissolving treatment as soon as possible after symptoms begin can significantly reduce the extent of brain damage or risk of death. Some research suggests that the first three hours after the onset of symptoms is the most crucial period for receiving treatment.

So learn to recognize a stroke, and act quickly if you or someone with you experiences any of these early signs of stroke:
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Sudden, severe headache with no obvious cause.
• Sudden blurred vision in one or both eyes that does not clear when you blink.
• Sudden dizziness, trouble with movement, loss of balance or coordination.

Call 9-1-1 for an ambulance, or be driven to a hospital immediately. Stroke is a medical emergency.

Talk to your doctor about your stroke risk.
Learn more about stroke
Find out your stroke risk factors
Take action to lessen your stroke risk

The Benefits of Biking

Along with dandelions and warmer days, bicycles are back! Neighborhoods are busy with children riding on driveways and sidewalks, biking enthusiasts pedal rather than drive to their destinations, and bike stores are hopping with brisk business.

What can biking do for your health? Cycling is a form of aerobic exercise, and can be as gentle or as vigorous as you want it to be. Even pedaling at a steady, moderate pace of 10-15 mph on level ground for an hour raises your heart rate and burns 300 calories or more. Major muscle groups in your legs are exercised as well. Because cycling is low weight-bearing, it is gentler on certain joints and may be ideal for people who are unable to do running or jumping exercises.

If you find cycling strains your spine or neck, or if it troubles your joints, talk to your doctor. You may not need to give up biking. Your doctor will be able to advise on treatment options, or refer you to specialty care or physical therapy as needed. There are also alternative bikes you can try, such as a recumbent (reclining) bicycle. Rather than perching high and leaning forward as on a regular bicycle, you lean back to pedal, and your spine is supported by a back rest. Pedaling on a recumbent bicycle uses different leg muscles, but is still great exercise.

Added bonuses of biking? It's affordable transportation and it's gentle on the environment.

When out biking, be smart and wear a helmet to protect your head in case of a fall.
Download Dean's complimentary $5-off coupon (PDF) for your next purchase of any CPSC, ASTM, or Snell-approved bicycle helmet at participating retailers.

Start the helmet habit early with children. Talk to children about why they need to protect their heads. Let them know:
• Their bikes are not toys, but their first vehicles.
• Helmets help protect their head and brain from serious, permanent damage.

More about Dean's Crash Helmet Program
Tips on how to wear a helmet correctly
Resources for biking enthusiasts in Wisconsin

Fiber-Rich Breakfast Ideas

Get Recipes:
Breakfast Granola | Apple Bran Muffins

Fiber, or "roughage", is found mostly in fruits and vegetables, legumes, grains and nuts. It is best known for helping to keep food moving regularly and smoothly through your digestive tract and prevent constipation.

Fiber has other lesser-known health benefits. For persons with diabetes, fiber contributes to good health by helping to control blood sugar levels. Fiber in beans, oats, barley, fruits and vegetables can help lower blood cholesterol levels. Fiber can also assist in weight control by helping you feel full sooner and for a longer period of time so you tend to eat less.

For most adults, it is recommended that you try to reach a goal of 20-35 grams of fiber daily. Many people only get half or less this amount. Our recipes for high-fiber breakfast foods will give you a jump-start on your fiber intake for the day. The Breakfast Granola is filled with fiber-rich grains, nuts and seeds. For a lighter-calorie on-the-go snack, try our tasty Apple Bran Muffins.

Learn more about fiber in your diet.

Recipes submitted by Dean Dietitian Shirley Shelley, MS, RD, CD