HJAR Sep/Oct 2020

48 SEP / OCT 2020 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS COLUMN NEUROLOGY Ali Krisht, MD, FACS Director Arkansas Neuroscience Institute CHI St. Vincent THINK of a stroke as a brain attack. Some- one who has a stroke either has a clot or a bleeding blood vessel in the brain. And the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen. Without oxygen brain cells start to die withinminutes. And once they’re dead they can’t be replaced. Treatment Options For a stroke caused by a blood clot a drug called tPA is used. That stands for tissue plas- minogen activator. It dissolves the blood clots that cause stroke. This drug dramatically reduces the amount of damage caused by stroke when not treated or when treatment is delayed. The sooner these drugs are given the less damage to the brain and the body and less disability to the patient. For bleeding blood vessels that cause stroke, treatment is surgery. Tiny clamps are STROKE AWARENESS used to stop blood flow and to keep the aneu- rysm from bursting. In a few cases a bypass surgery on a blood vessel in the brain can be performed to direct blood to a region of the brain. It’s the same type of surgery that is used in heart bypass surgery – just on the brain. Time Matters The window of time for the best results is within three hours of the first signs of stroke. After three hours treatment is less effective because brain cells die by the minute. Signs of a Stroke Stroke symptoms often occur suddenly including numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. Con- fusion, trouble speaking or understanding. A ‘Time is Brain’ when it comes to treatment and brain health after a stroke. Dr. Ali Krisht, director of the Arkansas Neuroscience Institute at CHI St. Vincent, said when asked about stroke treatment and care. person might have trouble seeing in one or both eyes. They might have trouble walking, become dizzy or lose their balance. And some patients say they have a severe headache that hits like a clap of thunder – the worst head- ache they’ve had in their life. If you suspect you or someone you love is experiencing stroke-like symptoms, call 9-1-1 or visit the nearest emergency room immediately. n