Description A sudden interrupti...
Description
A sudden interruption of blood flow to a portion of the brain causing injury. Some strokes are associated with bleeding into the damaged area. Most strokes are caused by a blocked artery in the brain from hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) or from a blood clot that travels from another area (embolus). The symptoms experienced depend on the artery blocked. Survival and the best outcome depend on seeking medical care immediately. Also known as a stroke.
Symptoms
Weakness of an arm, leg, side of the face, or any part of the body. Numbness, decreased sensation, vision changes, slurred speech, inability to speak, inability to understand speech, difficulty reading or writing, swallowing difficulty, drooling, loss of memory, vertigo (spinning sensation), loss of balance or coordination, personality changes, mood changes (depression, apathy), drowsiness, lethargy, or loss of consciousness, uncontrollable eye movements, double vision, nausea, vomiting.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests such as a CT scan or MRI scan of the brain will be performed to identify the location and cause of the stroke.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Electrocardiogram (EKG), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Ultrasound, X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Head and Neck CTA, carotid ultrasound, echocardiogram, PT (Protime), PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time)
Specialists:
Neurology, Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Pediatric Neurology
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests such as a CT scan or MRI scan of the brain will be performed to identify the location and cause of the stroke.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Electrocardiogram (EKG), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Ultrasound, X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Head and Neck CTA, carotid ultrasound, echocardiogram, PT (Protime), PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time)
Specialists:
Neurology, Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Pediatric Neurology
Treatment
A stroke is a medical emergency. Therapy depends on the size of the stroke, its location in the brain, the medications the patient is taking, how long the symptoms have been present and other associated diseases. Treatment may include: blood pressure medication, anti-platelet medications (aspirin, clopidogrel/Plavix), anticoagulants (heparin, enoxaparin, warfarin), thrombolysis (tissue plasminogen activator/t-PA), intravascular thrombolysis, physical therapy, speech therapy, and/or occupational therapy. Blood pressure and cholesterol medications are usually recommended to reduce the risk of recurrence.