Durham, N.C. - May is American Stroke Month - a good time for all of us to learn to recognize the signs of stroke and what to do if we think someone's having a stroke. Dr. Larry Goldstein, a professor in the Division of Neurology and director of the Stroke Center at Duke University Medical Center, describes the typical warning signs of stroke:

"Sudden onset of numbness or weakness, particularly on one side of the body difficulties with speech or understanding speech severe headache new or abrupt problems with coordination loss of vision in one eye or seeing to one side."

Goldstein, chairman of the advisory committee of the American Stroke Association, says if you suspect someone's had a stroke, every minute counts. The longer it takes to get a stroke victim to the hospital, the greater chance of brain damage, long-term disability or death.

"The response should be to call 9-1-1. If 9-1-1 is activated, the likelihood that a patient will get to a hospital and that something can be done right away is much better than if they don't call 9-1-1."