Stroke is one of the most common and deadly diseases in the Western world and is known to be the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer. It can cause severe disability and death. Like in many other diseases, correct lifestyle, awareness, routine tests and timely treatment can prevent the disease and its severe manifestations.
By Prof. José Cohen
In recent years, stroke care has undergone a complete revolution. With the increase in awareness of this difficult disease innovative treatment techniques and effective drugs have been developed and imaging technologies have come into use including the use of CT and MRI. These techniques allow us to understand, treat and even prevent the disease.
Risk factors and methods of prevention of stroke
Stroke is caused in part from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, heart disease and carotid artery disease. To avoid the onset of the disease, it should be treated by reducing these factors by:
- Lowering blood pressure
- Balancing diabetes and bad cholesterol to avoid the appearance of high cholesterol
- Smoking cessation
- Heart function tests and treatment in accordance with the findings
- Neurological tests using CT and Duplex scanning of the neck
What are the signs of appearance of a stroke?
The sudden appearance of one or more of the following requires an immediate turning to the hospital:
- Sense of weakness in the arm or leg
- Difficulty speaking and understanding
- Drooping angle of the mouth
There is immense importance to early diagnosis and detection of stroke to maximize the success of treatment as much as possible.
With the appearance of one of the signs, ask the complainant to raise his hands, check whether his smile is symmetrical or not, prompt him and try to get an impression of whether his speech is fluent. If any of these signs is problematic - go immediately to the emergency room.
The professional staff at Hadassah Hospital
For the last two years, a professional team working at Hadassah is available at all times of day that includes a neurologist in the emergency room, a neuroradiologist (brain imaging specialist), and a neurosurgeon who specializes in innovative endovascular treatments (treatments performed within the blood vessels). Each patient that arrives at the emergency room at Hadassah with suspected stroke undergoes immediate initial assessment by the neurologist on call. If necessary, he is transferred for advanced brain imaging, which allows exact pinpointing of the location of the problem and helps to determine the course of treatment. If an infarction is detected, the patient will undergo diagnostic and therapeutic catheterization in the blood vessels of the neck and brain to open the blockages and improve the functioning of the patient.
With the establishment of the Advanced Center for Stroke Treatment, Hadassah joined a small group of similar centers in the world that operate with similar technology. Since its inception, the center has treated a large number of patients, and in many cases has prevented severe disability and saved lives.
For questions and inquiries please contact the Neurology clinic on 02-677-8437.