Stroke is the third largest cause of death in America today. More than half a million people suffer a stroke every year. Stroke is the leading cause of disability among adults.

Fortunately, many interventions can be carried out to reduce the risk of stroke. Risk factors for stroke include hypertension, cigarette smoking, heart disease, advanced age, high cholesterol, and obesity.

The major manifestations of stroke are:
1. Sudden onset of weakness or numbness in the face, arm, and leg, usually on one side of the body.

2. Sudden change in vision or loss of vision in one eye.

3. Sudden loss of speech or slurred, garbled speech.

4. Sudden excruciating headache without past history of headaches.

5. Dizziness and loss of balance, especially if in combination with any of the above.

Stroke symptoms can be temporary and are called TIA’s (transient ischemic attacks). The experience of a TIA should prompt emergent medical evaluation.

If you experience stroke symptoms call 911 and get to the Emergency Room immediately. Prompt evaluation and treatment will improve your outcome. Evaluations will include specialized neurological examination, imaging studies such as CT scans or MRI scans, and tests of blood circulation such as ultrasounds. Treatments that currently can be carried out include blood thinners, removal of plaque from the arteries in the neck, treatment of underlying heart disease or blood disorders, and in some cases medications to dissolve blood clots. Following a stroke which has left a person with disabilities, rehabilitation can be carried out.

Neuro-Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is an important part of treatment for many conditions that involve the nervous system. Illnesses that may lead to neuro-rehabilitation include stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and nerve disorders such as the Guillain-Barre syndrome. The goal of rehabilitation is designed to help a person return to independent living.

Rehabilitation is usually carried out by a team of professionals, which includes the rehabilitation physician, physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and recreational therapists.

During rehabilitation the team will work on many important areas.

These include:
1. Mobility skills, such as transferring from a bed to a chair, propelling a wheelchair, or walking.

2. Self care skills, such as feeding, grooming, bathing and dressing.

3. Communication skills, involving speech and language.

4. Cognitive skills, dealing with memory or problem solving.

5. Socialization skills in interacting with other people.

Rehabilitation can be carried out at home, in an outpatient center, or in a rehabilitation unit in a hospital. Rehabilitation will increase the chance that a person can return to independent living, and realize his/her greatest potential following a serious neurologic illness.