The beautiful Nichelle Nichols, 82, who was one of the original ensemble members in the Star Trek TV series and films by playing Lt. Uhura, suffered a mild stroke Wednesday night, according to a post Thursday on her Facebook page.
“Last night, while at her home in L.A., Nichelle Nichols suffered from a mild stroke,” said Zach McGinnis of Galactic Productions. “She is currently undergoing testing to determine how severe the stroke was,” the statement continued. “Please keep her in your thoughts.”
In a statement to CNN, McGinnis gave an update on Nichols’ status: “CAT scan came back negative, and we are awaiting the results from the MRI. Currently, she is awake, eating, in good spirits and able to have full conversations. Her right side has shown minor signs [of] mobility loss, but she is not showing any signs of paralysis.”
But what is a “mild” stroke anyway? And can a person have one without knowing it?
A transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called a “mini stroke” or “mild stroke,” occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow in the brain. The block is temporary (transient), and unlike an actual stroke,……TIA doesn’t generally kill brain tissue.
Symptoms of a mini stroke are often brief, normally lasting a few minutes to a couple hours, though some people may have symptoms for up to 24 hours. Knowing the signs of a TIA can help you get the treatment you need as early as possible.
F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the sudden signs of full stroke. When you can spot the signs, you’ll know that you need to call 9-1-1 for help right away. F.A.S.T. is:
Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?
Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
Time to call 9-1-1 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.
We are monitoring Ms. Nichols request and look forward to her speedy recovery.
Stay tuned here for updates!