TESTIMONIALS

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Stoke

The following links may be beneficial in gaining more information. If you find information which is inappropriate contained on any link on our site, please report it to us immediately. Thank you

Stroke Connection ( 1-800-553-6321) Web-Site http://www.strokeassociation.org

American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas TX 75231-4596, Tel: 800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721), Fax: 214-987-4334 Web-Site: http://www.amhrt.org

Brain Aneurysm Foundation, 295 Cambridge Street, Old Forge Realty Bldg., Boston MA 02114, Tel: 617-723-3870, Fax: 617-723-8672

National Stroke Association, 9707 East Easter Lane, Englewood CO 80112-3747, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,
Tel: 303-649-9299 800-STROKES (787-6537), Fax: 303-649-1328 Web-Site: http://www.stroke.org

Stroke Clubs International, 805 12th Street, Galveston TX 77550, Tel: 409-762-1022 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Texas Rehabilitation Commission (210-805-2200, San Antonio) Texas State employment agency for those with disabilities to help prepare for and obtain employment. Prospective clients may self-refer or may also have referral from counselors or physician. Web Site: http://www.rehab.state.tx.us

National Aphasia Association, 156 Fifth Avenue, Suite 707, New York NY 10010, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web-Site: www.aphasia.org , Tel: 212-255-4329 800-922-4NAA (-4622), Fax: 212-989-7777

This following fact sheet is in the public domain. You may copy it. Provided compliments of:
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

What is Stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the part of the brain is suddenly interrupted (ischemic) or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into the spaces surrounding the brain cells (hemorrhagic). The symptoms of stroke are easy to spot: sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking; dizziness; or loss of balance or coordination. Brain cells die when they no longer receive oxygen and nutrients from the blood or when they are damaged by sudden bleeding into or around the brain. These damaged cells can linger in a compromised state for several hours. With timely treatment, these cells can be saved. Stroke is diagnosed through several techniques: a short neurological examination, blood tests, CT scans, MRI scans, Doppler ultrasound, and arteriography. Stroke seems to run in some families. Family members may have a genetic tendency for stroke or share a lifestyle that contributes to stroke. The most important risk factors for stroke are hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and cigarette smoking. Other risks include heavy alcohol consumption, high blood cholesterol levels, illicit drug use, and genetic or congenital conditions. Some risk factors for stroke apply only to women. Primary among these are pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause.

Is there any treatment?
Generally, there are three treatment stages for stroke: prevention, therapy immediately after stroke, and post-stroke rehabilitation. Therapies to prevent stroke are based on treating an individual's underlying risk factors. Acute stroke therapies try to stop a stroke while it is happening. Post-stroke rehabilitation is to overcome disabilities that result from stroke damage. Medication or drug therapy is the most common treatment for stroke. Surgery can be used to prevent stroke, to treat acute stroke, or to repair vascular damage or malformations in and around the brain. For most stroke patients, physical therapy is the cornerstone of the rehabilitation process.

What is the prognosis?
Although stroke is a disease of the brain, it can affect the entire body. Some of the disabilities that can result from stroke include paralysis, cognitive deficits, speech problems, emotional difficulties, daily living problems, and pain.

What research is being done?
Some brain damage that results from stroke may be secondary to the initial death of brain cells caused by the lack of blood flow to the brain tissue. This brain damage is a result of a toxic reaction to the primary damage. Researchers are studying the mechanisms of this toxic reaction and ways to prevent this secondary injury to the brain. Scientists hope to develop neuroprotective agents to prevent this damage. Another area of research involves experiments with vasodilators, medication that expand or dilate blood vessels and thus increase the blood flow to the brain. Basic research has also focused on the genetics of stroke and stroke risk factors. One area of research involving genetics is gene therapy. One promising area of stroke animal research involves hibernation. The dramatic decrease of blood flow to the brain in hibernating animals is extensive enough t that it would kill a non-hibernating animal. If scientists can discover how animals hibernate without experiences brain damage, then maybe they can discover ways to stop the brain damage associated with decreased blood flow in stroke patients. Other studies are looking at the role of hypothermia, or decreased body temperature, on metabolism and neuroprotection. Scientists are working to develop new and better ways to help the brain repair itself and restore important functions to the stroke patients. Some evidence suggests that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), in which a small magnetic current is delivered to an area of the brain, may possibly increase brain plasticity and speed up recover of function after stroke.

Related NINDS Publications (Pls request these through NINDS web-site: ) Stroke: Hope Through Research
Stroke Risk Factors and Symptoms
Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Fact Sheet
Stroke Rehabilitation Information Page
Brain Basics: Preventing Stroke
Previniendo la Apoplejía (Preventing Stroke)
Proceedings of a National Symposium on Rapid Identification and Treatment of Acute Stroke
Transient Ischemic Attack
Multi-Infarct Dementia
Stroke Scales and Related Information
Referral page to the Brain Attack Coalition "Acute Stroke Toolbox" site for the NIH Stroke Scale, stroke admission orders, and other items for clinicians treating acute stroke.