Brain damage can occur within minutes of a stroke so it is extremely important to recognize the symptoms and seek medical assistance. Symptoms include: sudden numbness, paralysis, weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body, new problems with walking or balance, sudden vision changes, drooling or slurred speech, new problems speaking or understanding simple statements, feeling confused and sudden, severe headaches that are different from past headaches. A stroke can be diagnosed within 3 hours of experiencing symptoms.

Treatments vary based on the type of stroke. For an ischemic stroke, medicine is given to dissolve blood clots. For a hemorrhagic stroke, surgery may be required, as well as other medicines. After having a stroke, stroke therapy may be recommended by your doctor in order to regain mobility.

In order to prevent a stroke, it is important to avoid smoking, eat a heart-healthy diet, get at least 2.5 hours of exercise a week, stay at a healthy weight, control your blood pressure and cholesterol level, keep your sugar levels as close to normal as possible if you are diabetic and limit your alcohol intake.

Dr. Marian said that it is imperative to know the warning signs of stroke. These include sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes; sudden trouble speaking or confusion; sudden trouble walking or loss of balance or coordination; sudden severe headache.

Furthermore he added, it is important to know and treat your own personal risk factors for heart disease and stroke as they are unique to each individual. Common risk factors include high blood pressure and cholesterol; diabetes; smoking; excess alcohol or illicit drug use; and known heart disease. Work with your doctor to keep these under control.

To learn more about stroke and its warning signs visit the neuroscience department at NorthShore University HealthSystems.

The Hong Kong study of 286 people with normal-tension glaucoma found a high incidence of silent cerebral infarcts among those whose loss of vision progressed more rapidly. The finding is in the July issue of Ophthalmology.

The study found that 29.6 percent of people with silent cerebral infarcts — symptomless blockages of small brain arteries — experienced steady deterioration of their vision, whereas such infarcts occurred in only 15.3 percent of those whose glaucoma-caused vision loss did not progress.

The next step in the Hong Kong research program will be to determine whether the severity of the silent infarcts correlates with the degree of vision loss in glaucoma. To learn more about the study, visit NorthShore University HealthSystem’s News section.

The foundation for the current study was based upon a study conducted in 2006 in which Italian researchers found that music with faster tempos resulted in increased breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. When the music was paused, breathing, heart rate and blood pressure decreased, sometimes below the beginning rate. Slower music caused declines in heart rates.

This current study is an extension of those findings in which researchers discovered swelling crescendos appear to induce moderate arousal while decrescendos induce relaxation. In music, a crescendo is a gradual volume increase, and a decrescendo is a gradual volume decrease. The study consisted of 24 healthy Caucasians matched for age and sex — 24 to 26 years old with 12 experienced singers (nine women) and 12 participants (seven women) who had no previous musical training. Study participants were fitted with headphones and were attached to electrocardiogram (ECG) and monitors to measure blood pressure, cerebral artery flow, respiration and narrowing of blood vessels on the skin.

Five random tracks of classical music were played — including selections from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony; an aria from Puccini’s Turandot; a Bach cantata (BMW 169); Va Pensiero from Nabucco; Libiam Nei Lieti Calici from La Traviata — as well as two minutes of silence.

Researchers found:

• Every crescendo led to increased narrowing of blood vessels under the skin, increased blood pressure and heart rate and increased respiration amplitude. In each music track the extent of the effect was proportional to the change in music profile.
• During the silent pause, changes decreased, with blood vessels under the skin dilating and marked reductions in heart rate and blood pressure. Unlike with music, silence reduced heart rate and other variables, indicating relaxation.
• Music phrases around 10 seconds long, like those used in “Va Pensiero” and “Libiam Nei Lieti Calici,” synchronized inherent cardiovascular rhythm, thus modulating cardiovascular control.

These new findings provide great potential for the way stroke victims can be treated. To learn more about treatment options and recent treatment discoveries for stroke patients visit NorthShore University HealthSystem’s neuroscience department.

The administration of satins to stroke victims which include medications such as Crestor, Lipitor, Pravachol and Zocor are being officially recommended by world class neurologists. According to the May 26 issue of Neurology, 800 people who had strokes found a 35% lower frequency of a second stroke and a 57% decreased death rate.

Dr. Giannopoulos of the SPARCL study, the cholesterol lowering activity of statins may not be the direct reason for the reduced occurrences of stroke. Giannopoulos said that, “Statins have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects and they also prevent blood clotting and stabilize plaque in the arteries. So, one of these mechanisms may help to prevent recurrent stroke.” According to the doctor statins are already dramatically affecting medical practice guidelines when dealing with stroke victims.

To learn more about stroke and to stay up to date on the latest findings in the field of neurology visit NorthShore University HealthSystem’s neuroscience department.

The study included 2,518 immobile patients in Europe and Australia who were admitted to hospital within one week of experiencing an acute stroke. Some patients received routine care plus thigh-length graduated compression stockings, while other received routine care only.

Ultrasounds of the patients’ legs were performed between seven and 10 days and at 25 to 30 days after they were enrolled in the study. The researchers were checking for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that can break up and get carried through the bloodstream to the heart and lungs, which is a potentially life-threatening problem.
Why does this study matter? So many hospitals try using compression stockings. Perhaps this approach needs to be revised to find a more effective preventative measure.

The following are identified risks that are unique to women.

• Taking birth control pills
• Being pregnant; stroke risk increases during a normal pregnancy due to natural changes in the body such as increased blood pressure and stress on the heart
• Using Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), a combined hormone therapy of progestin and estrogen, to relieve menopausal symptoms
• Having a thick waist and high triglyceride (blood fat) level; post-menopausal women with a waist size larger than 35.2 inches and a triglyceride level higher than 128 milligrams per liter may have a five-fold increased risk for stroke
• Being a migraine headache sufferer; migraines can increase a woman’s stroke risk 3-6 times, and most Americans who suffer migraines are women

These are just some of the identified risk factors that women should be aware of. To gain further insight on the risk factors of stroke visit the NorthShore University HealthSystem’s neuroscience department.

The key to returning to a routine life is quickly and effectively pursuing occupational therapy. Occupational therapy will help a stroke patient with daily acts of independence, like learning again how to wash, get dressed, and brush their teeth. Occupational therapy focuses on two main things: restoring independence and quality of life. Here are some of the key areas occupational therapists focus on:

Early therapy

It is important to purse occupational therapy immediately after a stroke while the patient is still in the hospital. While patients are in the hospital, their brain remains in its weakest state. If occupational therapy begins at the brains weakest state it provides the brain with the largest possibility for development.

Individual sessions

Therapy sessions must continue with one on one consultations. Just because a patient begins to display improvement in their ability to perform daily tasks does not mean their treatments should conclude. If the therapy is terminated, the patient has an 88% probability of losing their development since the stroke. Occupational therapy should continue to be an integral part of a stroke survivor’s daily routine for the duration of their life.

For more information and tips on how to return back to a routine life after a stroke visit the NorthShore University HealthSystem Live doctor chat as Dr Issam Awad will discuss “Hope for Stroke: How to Prevent It & Life After a Stroke.”

As previously discussed, it is essential to know the warning signs of stroke, as having the quickest reaction time is in direct correlation of how much damage can be avoided.

Additionally, the National Stroke Association has put together a list of resources for people looking to get the word out about stroke.  The list of participation ideas is great for events whether they’re online, or in person.

How will you promote Stroke Awareness Month?

What are some warning signs of a stroke?

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

• Sudden confusions, trouble speaking or understanding what is being said to you

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

NorthShore University HealthSystem suggests that, “Individuals who believe they may be having a stroke should call 911 and immediately get to an Emergency Room. Successful stroke treatment depends on a very rapid response—the sooner one is seen in the Emergency Department and receives appropriate treatment the better the result in limiting the severity and long term effects of stroke”.