When people think about a stroke, symptoms such as paralysis of limbs or an entire side of the body, and loss of motor coordination come to mind. But a stroke doesn't always happen this way. In fact, when a person experiences milder symptoms, it's easier to explain them away because they don't necessarily point to a health emergency. But dismissing symptoms because of uncertainty can be dangerous.
Strokes are the third-leading cause of death, behind heart disease and cancer, and a leading cause of disability in the United States, according to the American Stroke Association.
A stroke is an interruption of blood to the brain, either from a blood clot or the rupturing of a blood vessel, which results in a certain area of the brain not receiving the critical oxygen and nutrients it needs to function properly.
One type of stroke is a transient ischemic attack (TIA), a stroke-like event that can be just as serious. Often called a "mini-stroke," a TIA has similar signs, with symptoms that don't last as long. A TIA occurs when a blood clot briefly blocks an artery that supplies blood to the brain. TIA symptoms may include:
• Severe, sudden headache;
• Weakness, numbness or paralysis of the face, arms or legs on one side of the body;
• Difficulty walking, and/or loss of balance or coordination;
• Dizziness;
• Vision problems, such as blurred or double vision;
• Confusion or trouble speaking clearly or understanding communication.
A TIA should be considered a warning sign. It has the same symptoms as a stroke, but TIA symptoms are temporary and produce no lasting damage to the brain. However, it's important not to take a TIA lightly; it's a strong predictor of a possible full-scale stroke which could be just a matter of days, weeks or months away. According to the American Stroke Association, more than one third of individuals who suffer a TIA will later have a stroke.
What makes a TIA even more dangerous is that an astonishing number of people do not realize they are experiencing a mini-stroke and do not seek immediate medical care. A 2006 study by the American Heart Association found that less than half of people who suffer symptoms of a mini-stroke seek medical attention promptly, and only 10 percent go to the emergency room. Notably, 20 percent of patients incorrectly identified their symptoms as stress, fatigue, eye problems or a migraine.
If you suspect someone is having a stroke, don't waste a precious second -- call 911 immediately. The emergency room at Siloam Springs Regional Hospital is here for you and your family 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Through the AR SAVES program, SSRH uses a high-speed video communications system to help provide immediate, life-saving treatments to stroke patients 24 hours a day. The real-time video communication enables a stroke neurologist to evaluate whether emergency room physicians should use a powerful blood-clot dissolving agent within the critical three-hour period following the first signs of stroke.
Your provider can administer several tests to diagnose TIA and determine your future risk of stroke. This includes a review of your medical history, a physical and neurological exam, blood tests and various diagnostic tests. Diagnostic tests may include imaging tests (such as a CT scan or MRI, which take a picture of the brain); electrical tests which examine brain waves or study how the brain handles various sensory information: hearing, touch or vision; and finally, blood tests (an ultrasound or arteriogram, which give an idea of blood flow and the condition of your arteries).
TIA is a threat to your health -- but also an opportunity to learn and step up your prevention efforts. To learn more, talk to your doctor or visit SSRH.net.
Northwest Health
Northwest Health is one of the largest health networks in Northwest Arkansas, with five hospitals: Northwest Medical Center -- Bentonville, Northwest Medical Center -- Springdale, Northwest Medical Center -- Willow Creek Women's Hospital, Siloam Springs Regional Hospital and Northwest Health Physicians' Specialty Hospital. The system has 487 beds, a combined active medical staff of more than 540 physicians and 2,200 employees working together to provide quality healthcare for the region. Collectively, Northwest Health hospitals had more than 18,000 inpatient admissions, 90,000 emergency room visits and 4,200 deliveries in 2015. Northwest Health Physicians' Specialty Hospital is owned in part by physicians.
Editorial on 09/21/2016