Stroke is a leading cause of death in the U.S., and when someone has a stroke, it's absolutely critical to get immediate medical care. At the Atlantic NeuroSurgical Specialists (ANS) brain and spine center, we offer state-of-the-art, compassionate stroke care and rehabilitation. For more information about ANS, contact your local office today.
Because the brain isn't getting the oxygen and/or blood that it needs, the cells and tissues become damaged and start to die. The severity of stroke is determined by the event's duration and area of attack, as well as the percentage of the brain that is affected. This means some stroke sufferers may experience only minor to moderate issues and/or see vast improvement with rehab, while others may face more serious side effects and ultimately be unable to recover lost functionality.
For ischemic stroke and TIA, the goal of treatment is to break up or remove blood clots and strengthen damaged arteries. This could include intravenous treatments or medicines delivered directly to the brain, as well as a carotid endarterectomy to rid crucial arteries of plaque, removal of a clot via stent or angioplasty and insertion of stents to open blocked arteries.
In cases of hemorrhagic stroke, however, the goal is to make the blood clot to stop the bleeding. Doctors can utilize a variety of surgical interventions to eliminate bleeding, such as clamping an aneurysm, implementing coils to stop an aneurysm, removal of smaller arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and more. Transfusions and drugs may also be used depending on the circumstances.
Afterwards, doctors may prescribe blood pressure medication, anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs to help prevent another stroke from occurring. Patients may also need rehabilitative therapy to help regain functions that were lost or weakened by the stroke.
While the outcome of stroke varies from patient to patient, many are able to make a full or substantial recovery afterward. To learn more about stroke treatment options, schedule an appointment with the brain and spine center at ANS, where highly trained neurosurgeons, stroke neurologists and stroke rehabilitation experts provide quality care throughout New Jersey.