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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dr. Jodi Dodds, MD, Neurologist and Novant Health Neurology Specialist talks about how strokes can be prevented and what to do if you or someone you’re with experiences a stroke.
May is National Stroke Awareness Month. Strokes are treatable if patients seek early care, despite the myth that strokes cannot be treated.
One sign of stroke is, “FAST,” which stands for “face, arm, speech, time.” A stroke could be taking place if one side of their face begins to droop. If one arm is weak when both are lifted in front of you, this could be another sign.
Slurred speech that is difficult to understand and difficulty to produce words is another symptom of a stroke.
If you experience yourself or someone else having a stroke, call 911 immediately and get to the nearest hospital.
A medication called t-PA (Tissue plasminogen activator), can dissolve blood clots if given early enough into a stroke. After 4 hours, t-PA will no longer be useful because the damage is already done.
Smoking cigarettes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure are sometimes the causes of strokes. Poorly controlled diabetes, an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation, and obstructive sleep apnea (not getting enough oxygen to the brain during sleep) all increase the risk of a stroke.
Some patients taking hormone replacement therapy after menopause may also be at risk for having a stroke.
Physical therapists focus on helping a person learn to walk while other therapists help a person learn to perform their daily activities independently and help to rehabilitate a persons speech after a stroke.
