Stroke is an interruption in blood flow to the brain, either due to a blockage in a blood vessel or a burst blood vessel. Each stroke is unique, but as the leading providers of care for stroke patients in the state, the team at the Stroke Centers is prepared to help in every situation.
There are three types of stroke:
Each has slightly different symptoms and care options.
Acute stroke
Symptoms
- Muscular: trouble walking, weak or stiff muscles, coordination trouble or paralysis on one side of the body
- Visual: blurry vision, double vision, sudden loss of vision or temporary loss of vision in one eye
- Body: lightheadedness, exhaustion, dizziness, weakness or numbness in arms and legs, headache
- Speech: trouble speaking or inability to speak, slurred speech
- Sensory: reduced sensation of touch, pins and needles
- Face: muscle weakness or numbness, trouble swallowing, rapid involuntary eye movement
- Cognitive: trouble understanding, confusion
Treatment
We will quickly give patients clot busting medication to help minimize damage to the brain. Other treatments will help limit complications from the stroke and prevent additional ones. In the long run, speech, physical and/or occupational therapy may be needed through a stroke rehabilitation program.
Embolic stroke
Symptoms
- Muscular: weakness, trouble walking, coordination issues, muscle stiffness, weakness or paralysis of one side of the body
- Visual: trouble recognizing half of the visual field, blurred vision, sudden vision loss, temporary loss of vision in one eye
- Body: dizziness, fainting or feeling faint, nausea, sleepiness
- Speech: trouble talking or slurred speech
- Sensory: numbness in the legs, reduced sense of touch, or pins and needles
- Face: muscle weakness or numbness, trouble swallowing
- Cognitive: altered level of consciousness, inability to understand language, mental confusion
Treatment
As soon as possible, we will give the patient medication or perform a surgical procedure called an embolectomy to break up the clots causing the stroke. Long-term care usually includes stroke rehabilitation.
Hemorrhagic stroke
Symptoms
- Muscular: weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- Body: bleeding, fainting, headache, seizures
- Speech: trouble speaking
- Sensory: sensitivity to light
- Face: muscle weakness or numbness, trouble swallowing, rapid involuntary eye
- Cognitive: decreased or altered level of consciousness
Treatment
Emergency care is needed as soon as possible. We give medications and monitor these patients in an intensive care unit. In rare cases, surgery might be needed to relieve pressure around the brain.