Jenna Gibson was just 39 when she was training for a marathon five years ago — but her plans were cut short by a stroke that almost took her life.

Nearly 60% of stroke deaths occur in women, according to a recent study by Mayo Clinic — and now Gibson, a Michigan mother of two, aims to help others to be more aware and prioritize their health.

"Once I learned that strokes are happening to younger people, I had to share my story," she told Fox News Digital. 

5 WOMEN’S HEALTH TIPS TO PREVENT AND DETECT STROKES, ACCORDING TO CARDIOLOGISTS

"In most cases, strokes are preventable if you know what to look for."

On the day of Gibson’s stroke, she was feeling great.

It was a beautiful day, she’d nailed a presentation at work, and she was enjoying a walk outside with her mother after dinner.

"We were talking about how I was training for the Detroit marathon for my 40th birthday, and then all of a sudden, out of the blue, it felt like I was hit with a ton of bricks," she told Fox News Digital.

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Gibson stopped walking, then suddenly fell over into the grass. 

Her mother thought she was joking at first. "She actually took a picture of me lying in the grass, saying, ‘C’mon, get up, what are you doing?’"

Her mother helped her up, but Gibson couldn’t walk straight. 

"I felt like I was drunk — something just wasn't right," she said.

Even so, Gibson did not experience any of the textbook symptoms of a stroke, such as the facial droop, severe headache or vision disturbances.

They made it back home, where Gibson assumed she was having a migraine. She took some headache medicine and went to bed.

"A couple of hours later, I woke up and still didn't feel right — I couldn't get out of bed, I couldn't move," she recalled. 

TIAS AND MINI-STROKE RISKS: CARDIOLOGIST SHARES WARNING SIGNS AND PREVENTION TIPS

That’s when they headed to the emergency room. Gibson’s mother told the medical team that her daughter was having trouble walking and might be having a stroke.

"They checked me over, did all the tests, and didn't see the typical signs that they would be looking for," Gibson said. "Part of it was because I was young."

She added, "I didn't have the facial droop. I could walk, although not very well. I could get some words out."

After a CT scan, the medical team decided that Gibson was likely having an optic migraine. The next morning, when she still wasn’t feeling right, the neurologist ordered another scan with contrast — and that time, the stroke finally showed up.

"They could see that there was a blockage on the left side of my brain, and I was actively having a stroke," she said. 

Gibson was immediately airlifted to another hospital, where she had emergency brain surgery to remove the blood clot. 

"There was obviously a risk of death — if we didn't move fast enough, the time frame would be over," she said.

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As she was flown to the hospital, Gibson said she felt certain she was going to die and would never again see her husband or her daughters, who were just 8 and 4 at the time.

"I thought I’d never get to see my children grow up and get married, or that I’d have to live in some kind of vegetative state and would never work again."

"I was thinking, ‘Did I tell my girls enough times that Mommy loves them? Does my husband know how proud I am of him?’"

The next thing she knew, Gibson was waking up from surgery in the ICU — and facing a long road to recovery.

"At first, I couldn't speak at all. I couldn't move my right side. I was trapped in my head — I could see what was happening and hear people asking me questions, but I couldn't answer."

Over the next few days, Gibson said her capabilities slowly started coming back. 

She received speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy — and over time began to regain movement on her right side. 

REPORTS REVEAL THE RISK FOR STROKES IS ON THE RISE IN YOUNG ADULTS

Her first "assignment" was to tell her daughters that she loved them and that "Mommy’s going to be OK."

After a couple of weeks, Gibson returned home and continued with outpatient therapy for three hours a day, three days a week for a four-month period.

"It was during the first six weeks that we saw the quickest improvement, and then after that, it was slower and slower," she said.

"I had to relearn everything. And now, by the grace of God, I can do all the things."

Today, Gibson is still completely numb on the entire right side of her body. She also still sometimes struggles with finding the right words while speaking, she said, especially when she’s tired or stressed.

"But if you saw me, I look like a normal person," she said.

And in a full-circle moment, Gibson was finally able to complete the half-marathon last October.

Dr. Annie Tsui, chief of neurology at Access TeleCare, who is based in Texas, emphasized the prevalence of strokes among women and urged awareness.

"Strokes can occur for various reasons across different age groups and genders," Tsui, who was not involved in Gibson’s care, told Fox News Digital. "Even though strokes can occur at any age, women between the ages of 20 and 39 are at twice the risk compared to men."

While the primary risk factors for stroke are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, obesity and diabetes, the causes for strokes in younger age groups differ from those typically associated with older people, Tsui noted. 

Those may include cardiac issues, blood clotting disorders, genetic predispositions, vascular abnormalities or trauma.

"Although no one is completely immune to the risk of stroke, individuals at higher risk should work with their doctor to develop a prevention plan," Tsui advised. "In general, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial, as up to 80% of strokes can be prevented."

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It's crucial to be aware of the symptoms to receive treatment as quickly as possible, according to Tsui.

She recommends using the FAST acronym, shown below, as a convenient tool for identifying stroke indicators. 

"The chances of survival and positive outcomes are highest when the patient receives prompt medical attention," Tsui told Fox News Digital. 

Some stroke treatments are only effective if administered within three hours of when symptoms begin, she warned — with the risk of permanent brain damage or death rising with each passing minute.

"It's important to be vigilant in recognizing stroke symptoms and to seek medical assistance immediately at the first sign," Tsui said. 

"Every second counts in reducing the risk of brain injury, permanent disability or even death."

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

“Pineapples can also have an array of health benefits to women specifically as it contains compounds that support bodily functions”

View the full post Pineapples and women’s health on NOW Grenada.

View the full post PAHO evaluating Grenada’s National Immunisation Programme on NOW Grenada.

On Thursday May 23, 2024 an eight-month-old child was referred to the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital by a private medical practitioner. The child arrived at the AED in an unconscious state and died following failed resuscitation efforts.

It is known that in keeping with common practice for children of such age, the child had been immunised. The immunisations were administered at the St Philip Polyclinic including the two, four- and six-month vaccines, with the last dose being administered on April 2, 2024.

The MHW, however, wishes to clearly state that the child had not received the MMR vaccines as being misleadingly stated in the public domain. The policy of the MHW is that minimum age at which this vaccine is administered to children is one year of age.

In keeping with the Laws of Barbados, in cases of sudden and unnatural death, an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of this unfortunate death. The MHW takes this opportunity to extend its condolences to the family of the deceased child.

Vaccines have been issued by the expanded programme of immunisation in Barbados since the late 1970s. The vaccines used locally have been demonstrated to be effective at reducing the risk of disease. The Ministry of Health and Wellness reminds parents to keep their children’s vaccinations up-to-date according to the recommended schedule to the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.

The Ministry further wants to clarify the incorrect information on COVID deaths in the public domain. These numbers stand at 648 with no deaths in the last reporting period of April 13th and May 10th. The COVID19 vaccine was made available to the public by Ministry of Health and Wellness during the pandemic as part of its commitment to use evidence-based measures to reduce the risk of severe illness and death.

The MHW urges members of the public to desist from spreading alarm amongst the population through the practice of maliciously circulating misinformation.

(Statement made by Dr Ingrid Cumberbatch, Senior Medical Officer of Health (South), Ministry of Health and Wellness on 26th May 2024.)

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Michelle Straughn, walk manager for the event, speaking to the media after the starter fired the pistol to get walkers, runners, rollerbladers, skaters and children on scooters, underway, expressed her enthusiasm about the growing numbers and the importance of raising awareness for prostate cancer.

“This is now our second walk for the Prostate Cancer Walk. We started last year, it was our first. And we’ve certainly done a lot better this year in terms of numbers,” Straughn said. 

“We were expecting maybe about, I would say, 2,000 persons. And I believe that we would have gotten that. And we’re all excited because this means that awareness is spreading.”

Rollerbladers also took part in this year’s event.

She noted the initiative, aimed at bringing awareness to prostate cancer, served a crucial role as there was a critical need for early detection, not only for cancer but cancer of the prostate.

“It’s so important. The early detection of prostate cancer, as you know, is all about the males. And we have to protect them. So we’re very, very happy to see the response. And we know that next year will be better, because we have a bigger and better plan for next year. Maybe a lot more activities on the day. Listen out for it.”

There were some changes made this time around to the route, to accommodate different participants’ preferences. Whereas last year there was one route, Straughn explained some members of the public called for there to be a run in addition to the walk and this time around, the run was added along a separate route. (RG)

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Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Sunday presented Prime Minister Mia Mottley with the Director-General’s Award for Global Health.

Mottley is one of three people being awarded this year.

The awards are usually presented during the WHO’s most important meeting of the year — the World Health Assembly, which is being held on Monday. However, Mottley was presented with the award at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on Sunday to allow her to travel to Antigua and Barbuda for the United Nations fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), which begins on Monday.

Back in 2019, the WHO Director-General gave Global Health Leaders Awards to a number of individuals who have shown outstanding commitment to public health goals. The awards are now presented on an annual basis to selected individuals or groups of individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership to achieve tangible health impacts.

In her acceptance speech, Mottley thanked the WHO Director-General for being there and for steadfastly supporting small countries.

“[The] COVID pandemic for us was the wild wild west in every sense of the word. When we could access goods, we learned that export restrictions would be put on them. When we could access vaccines, export restrictions were also put on them. When we could pay, we couldn’t get orders because our orders were simply too small to be taken, whether for equipment or medicines,” Mottley said.

Both the WHO and the Pan American Health Organization stood up for the region, Mottley said, while also paying tribute to PAHO’s Director Emeritus Dr Carissa F Etienne who died last year.

“You were the two people who were directly accessible at midnight … and that speaks volumes to the difference you made in saving lives — I dare say hundreds of thousands, if not millions of lives across the Small Island Developing States,” Mottley said.

“I thank you on behalf of my country for the honour which you are conferring on me. I take it not as my own, I take it as an honour to Barbados.”

Mottely also saluted the island’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kenneth George, “who was on the front-lines, but I also want to salute my Ministers of Health, Lt Col Jeffrey Bostick and Senior Minister Jerome Walcot, who effectively carried and continue to carry the day-to-day battle in this critical area of health.”

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Guyanese are living longer and fewer mothers and children are dying, President Irfaan Ali announced Saturday night at a flag-raising ceremony held in Linden to usher in Guyana’s 58th Independence anniversary. He said that from 2020 to now, the country’s life expectancy has increased by two years overall to 70 in males, and 74 for ...

The saying that age is just a number could easily be applied to 100-year-old Veronique Minnie McCollin.

Unlike many others in her age group, the island’s latest centenarian is independent. She takes her own baths, cooks her own meals and on top of that can boast of good health as she has no illnesses.

At birthday celebrations at her house in Jackson Land, Silver Hill, Christ Church on Friday, Minnie, as she is affectionately called, told journalists that she was overjoyed to reach this milestone, even though she did not think she would. She said she loves cooking, especially making soup and makes sure to “put in everything”. She also likes to eat rice with vegetables and green bananas with salt fish.

Regarding her daily routine, she likes to be outdoors soaking up the fresh air. She said after taking her bath and drinking tea she would go outside and pray. Afterwards, she would watch people pass along the roadside. 

Minnie added that she came to Barbados after landing a job opportunity to take care of someone’s child. Her children said she left Dominica at age 18. 

She became known from then onward as a domestic worker of excellence and was showered with tributes during the celebrations.

Matriarch of the Jordan family, Marsha, said Minnie took care of her children and household needs for 35 years.

She described the birthday girl as a wonderful woman, who had a kind, calm and pleasant personality. She said she was also grateful for the nurture she gave her children and values she instilled in them. 

Minnie, who at one point lived in The Pine, St Michael, did small domestic chores after her time at the Jordans. Her children said her last official year of work was 2007.

President Dame Sandra Mason also paid Minnie a special visit and had a lively chat with the centenarian. 

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb

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This was the warning from Senior Environmental Officer responsible for vector control Dale Holligan as she joined her colleagues and partners of the Ministry of Health for a National Mosquito Fair. The event highlighted the integrated measures that the government uses to control mosquitoes, and encouraged the public to become more involved in mosquito prevention.

“Mosquitoes are more than just a bother; they are among the deadliest creatures out there,”  she warned, pointing to the recent dengue outbreak in Barbados earlier this year, as evidence of the threat they pose.

“We wanted to bring more public awareness to the mosquito population, their breeding habits, life cycle, habitats, and the surveillance and resistance testing conducted by the Ministry of Health,” Holligan told Barbados TODAY.

The event saw participation from Rentokil, Armstrong Agencies, and Massy, demonstrating a collaborative approach to mosquito control.

“It was not hard to get them on board,” Holligan said. “These organisations already work with vector control. It was best to have them here to show the public that it’s not only the government involved; there are other entities and products available for mosquito control.

She detailed practical steps residents can take to reduce mosquito breeding sites, especially with the rainy season approaching. “The first thing people need to do is check around their homes for containers that can collect water. If you need them, put them in areas where mosquitoes can’t reach them. If you don’t need them, discard them,” she advised. “Mosquitoes lay eggs in containers waiting for water. When it rains, these eggs develop into larvae. So, protecting or discarding containers is crucial.”

Holligan also urged residents to inspect their roof gutters, animal water containers, and any natural or man-made depressions where water might collect. “We need to be vigilant about our surroundings and ensure there are no areas where water can settle and provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes.”

Addressing the broader public health implications, Holligan noted that the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which spreads dengue, also carries other diseases like chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever. “We don’t see yellow fever or malaria here because those diseases are carried by different mosquitoes. However, the threat remains significant.”

Despite ongoing efforts, the senior environmental officer acknowledged the challenges in getting the public to take preventive measures seriously. “People tend to be more responsive after experiencing one of these diseases. Until then, mosquitoes are often just seen as nuisances,” she said.

The event is part of a larger outreach programme aimed at increasing public participation in vector control. “You can expect to see more events like this, possibly in combination with rodent control initiatives,” Holligan confirmed.

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This positive trend comes as the organisation prepares for its second annual Cemix Prostate Cancer Run/Walk, set for Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Garrison Savannah. The event aims to raise further awareness and support for early detection of prostate cancer.

During a site visit at the Garrison Savannah, where the event will kick off, Michelle Straughn, walk manager for the Barbados Cancer Society, said the simplified testing process has had a significant impact on numbers.

“Early detection is important in any disease and before it used to be an invasive test, but it’s changed to a blood test. So if the PSA [prostate-specific antigen] levels are raised, then you get further tests,” she said.

Straughn also noted the availability of a DNA test for genetic predisposition to prostate cancer at a reduced price, making early detection more accessible.

“If there were any males in your family that would have had prostate cancer, then obviously you would have a greater level of being susceptible to the disease,” she said. “So there’s also a DNA test that can be done to show if it’s in your family line and that test is at a reduced price of $200,” she said, noting a significant reduction from the usual cost of around $1 000.

The event manager stressed the importance of community support in conducting the necessary research on prostate cancer and further offsetting associated costs for men across the island.

Straughn outlined the routes for the walk and run which will both start and end at the Garrison, with the run beginning at 3:45 p.m. and the walk at 4 p.m.

She added that partners, the Scottish District Grand Lodge of Barbados, were instrumental in putting the routes together.

Glyne Grannum, a member of the lodge, said: “This is a very important event for Barbadian men and we were very privileged … when we were able to find a willing partner to raise the profile of the disease and its impact on Barbadian men and at the same time, to be able to, from that awareness, get greater sponsorship for the issue.”

Grannum also revealed what he described as a significant increase in registration by lodge members.

“The registration for this year from the Scottish District Grand Lodge is indeed a greater number than last year and not only testimony to the seriousness with which the lodge treats this project but also wider understanding within Barbados,” he said.

The organisers have called on the community to join the event, highlighting the collective effort needed to continue improving health outcomes for Barbadian men.

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