Whilst many of the admissions passing through the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital ER are of a traumatic nature, many potentially life threatening medical conditions are simultaneously dealt with. Following the recent appointment of a Neurologist, together with a long standing Neurosurgeon, the hospital is able to accommodate the patient presenting with a Stroke or Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA) and provide the most appropriate care and treatment options.
A stroke or CVA may be defined as a disorder involving a sudden, focal interruption of cerebral blood flow that results in a neurological deficit. A transient stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is differentiated from a CVA by virtue of neurological symptoms typically lasting less than 1 hour and without evidence of cerebral infarction (permanent brain cell damage) arising from a partially blocked artery. A stroke involves the arteries of the brain, either the anterior circulation (internal carotid) or posterior circulation (branches of the vertebral or basilar arteries) and are the 4th most common cause of death and the most common cause of neurologic disability in adults. |
Different strokes for different folks...
A Stroke may be categorized as either ischemic (occurring in 85% of cases) or hemorrhagic (15%) in nature. Ischemic strokes occur when a blood vessel that supplies blood to an area of the brain is blocked by a locally formed blood clot (thrombotic stroke) or a blood clot from elsewhere (embolic stroke), whilst a hemorrhagic stroke may be characterized by a bleed into the brain tissue due to a break in the blood vessel adjacent to the brain tissue. Hemorrhagic stokes may be further divided into subarachnoid and intracerebral bleeds, varying in the anatomical area of injury.
- Biller J, Love BB, Schneck MJ. Vascular diseases of the nervous system: ischemic cerebrovascular disease. In: Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, eds.Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice
The symptoms associated with a stoke may be related to the area of the brain injured. The diagram on the right depicts the areas of the brain, and their function. For example, and area of injury overlying the posterior left frontal lobe will result in an impairment of speech function as the Motor speech area of Broca is located in this area. |
- Morgenstern LB, Hemphill JC 3rd, Anderson C, Becker K, Broderick JP, Connolly ES Jr, et al. Guidelines for the management of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: a guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.Stroke
- Manage high blood pressure or high cholesterol by working with your doctor.
- Manage diabetes. Keep your blood sugar levels within a target range.
- If your doctor recommends that you take aspirin or a blood thinner, take it. This can help prevent a stroke.
- Take your medicine exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
- Don't smoke or allow those around you to smoke.
- Limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day for men, and 1 drink a day for woman.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Do activities that raise your heart rate. Get at least 30min of exercise on most days of the week.
- Eat heart healthy foods, including: fruits, vegetables, high-fiber foods, and foods low in sodium, saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.
Stroke prevention:
- Furie KL, Kasner SE, Adams RJ, Albers GW, Bush RL, Fagan SC, et al. Guidelines for the prevention of stroke in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack: a guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.Stroke
An Injury and Prevention Awareness Project brought to you by Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital Trauma & Emergency Centre.