FAST (stroke)

Imagine your body has a secret code to tell you when something is wrong. FAST is a special code for recognizing a stroke! A stroke is like a traffic jam in your brain. When this happens, your brain can't get the oxygen it needs. FAST is a super helpful way to remember the main signs. It's like a secret handshake for helping people!

The first part of FAST is 'F' for Face. If someone has a stroke, one side of their face might droop. It's like when you try to smile, but one side of your mouth won't go up! They might have trouble keeping their mouth closed, and sometimes spit can dribble out. It's a big clue that something isn't right.

Next is 'A' for Arms. This means one arm might feel weak or heavy. If you ask someone to lift both their arms up, one arm might not go up as high as the other, or it might even fall down! They might also have trouble holding onto things, like a toy or your hand. It's like their arm is saying 'I'm too tired to move!'

Then comes 'S' for Speech. Someone having a stroke might talk funny, like their words are all jumbled up. They might slur their words or have trouble saying simple sentences, like 'The sky is blue.' The last letter, 'T', is super important: it stands for Time! If you see any of these signs, it's time to call for help right away. Every second counts!