May is Stroke Awareness Month, and our friends at Riverside are using the opportunity to not only treat, but educate patients on strokes and stroke prevention.
Meet Mrs. Royal
Jamika Royal started having some weird symptoms and messaged her doctor on MyChart. Her doctor told her to go straight to the emergency department, because she was having a stroke!
It’s of utmost importance to call 911 right when you realize you may be having a stroke or a brain attack. This is because the longer it takes to open the blood vessel up which caused the stroke, the more damage you will have to your brain.
Different Types of Strokes
There are two different kinds of strokes. The first is caused by the blockage of a blood vessel in the brain, the second is caused by a ruptured blood vessel, or bleeding in the brain.
Symptoms of a stroke can range from very mild to severe. When it comes to symptoms of a stroke- remember the acronym BEFAST. Balance (or dizziness), Eyes (trouble with vision), Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech slurred, Time to call 911!
Mrs. Royal was sent home after her initial ER visit due to lack of lasting symptoms. When she went to follow up with her primary care provider the following week, she went numb again- this time on the right side instead of the left. She was rushed to Riverside so the physicians could quickly take action.
Sometimes a person might not even realize that they are having a stroke, because the part of the brain that would alert them is the same part that is being damaged.
Comprehensive Stroke Centers
Riverside has a Comprehensive Stroke Center, which brings the highest level of stroke care possible to the patients and the community.
If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of a stroke, please call 911 immediately.
For more information:
https://www.riversideonline.com/medical-services/stroke/riverside-stroke-centers
https://www.facebook.com/riversidehealth
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