Stroke
What is a Stroke?
A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to any part of the brain. It is sometimes called a "brain attack" or cerebrovascular disease. Every 45 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke, which occurs more frequently in men. Ischemic stroke, the most common type, results from clogged arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis. Fatty deposits collect on the wall of the arteries, forming a sticky substance called plaque. Over time, the plaque builds up, causing the blood to flow abnormally and form a clot. A clot that stays in place in the brain is called a cerebral thrombus. A clot that breaks loose and moves through the bloodstream to the brain is called a cerebral embolism. This is often caused by an irregular heartbeat, called atrial fibrillation. High blood pressure is the number one reason for a stroke. The risk is also increased by age, family history, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Other risks include alcohol consumption, excess body weight, illicit drug use, and sleep disorders.
Warning Signs
Common symptoms of stroke include weakness or paralysis of any part of the body, numbness, tingling, vision changes, slurred speech, swallowing difficulties, loss of memory, vertigo, loss of balance, mood changes, drowsiness, lethargy, uncontrollable eye movements or loss of consciousness.
Stroke Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation plays a critical part of recovery for many stroke survivors. Although it cannot completely reverse the effects of a stroke, rehabilitation does help survivors build strength, capability, and confidence. Depending upon the severity of stroke, rehabilitation may address any or all of the following independent living skills:
- self-care skills such as feeding, grooming, bathing and dressing
- mobility skills such as transferring, walking or self-propelling a wheelchair
- communication skills in speech and language
- cognitive skills such as memory or problem-solving
- social skills for interacting with other people
Services offered during rehabilitation may include:
- rehabilitation nursing
- physical therapy
- occupational therapy
- speech-language pathology
- audiology
- recreational therapy
- nutritional care
- rehabilitation counseling
- social work
- psychiatry/psychology
- chaplaincy
- patient/family education
- support groups
- vocational evaluation
- driver's training
Our Brain Attack Network
The Brain Attack Center, developed in 2001, has expanded to a comprehensive network, offering a full continuum of care. An interdisciplinary team consisting of neurologists, neurosurgeons, interventional neuroradiologists, registered nurses, therapists (occupational, physical, & speech), technicians and case managers work together to provide care specific to the needs of stroke patients. Through its partnership with local Emergency Management Systems (EMS), stroke care begins at the scene of an attack and provides patients with rapid assessment in the Emergency Department. The “Code Gray Team” uses the most current evidence based protocols to treat brain attack patients in an effective and timely manner, resulting in improved patient outcomes.
The Brain Attack Network at Florida Hospital is led by a team of strokologists, who specialize in stroke care. In addition, Florida Hospital offers the only 24/7 interventional neuroradiology coverage in Central Florida, providing minimally invasive treatment for stroke victims. Through the Brain Attack Network, every Florida Hospital facility in Central Florida offers access to these stroke specialists, thereby improving patient survival rates and overall quality of life.
To learn more about stroke and the advanced treatments being provided, contact us.