Dr. Ziad Darkhabani is an interventional neurologist with Aurora BayCare. He joined us on Wisconsin Tonight to talk about National Stroke Awareness Month.
A stroke is a “brain attack.” It can happen to anyone at any time. It occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off. When this happens, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die. When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area of the brain are lost.
Because it’s the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Stroke kills nearly 130,000 people each year. Add to that the growing trend toward stroke striking younger patients – over the last decade, there has been a spike of 44% in the number of young Americans (under 45 years) hospitalized due to stroke – and you can see the importance of a month dedicated to stroke education and awareness.
How can we avoid stroke?
* Lowering blood pressure
* Losing weight
* Quitting smoking
* Changing your diet
* Increasing your physical activity
What are the warning signs of stroke?
* Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
* Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
* Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
* Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
* Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
What should we do if we suspect someone is having a stroke?
Act FAST: Use this acronym to quickly identify a person experiencing stroke
Face – Ask the person to smile. Check to see if their smile is uneven, droops or is numb.
Arms – Ask the person to raise both arms. Check if one arm is weak and drifts downward.
Speech – Ask the person to speak. Listen for slurring. Are they unable to speak?
Time – Call 911 at the first sign of stroke. Note the time the symptoms began.
For more information, call Aurora BayCare Medical Center-Interventional Neurology at 920-288-8044.
