Healthy Perspectives - Fall 2012 - (Page 5)

Stroke Reduce your risk with this essential information 01 1 S Meeker Memorial Hospital’s Veda Stockland, R.N., and medical staff member David Detert, M.D., with the Telehealth Network monitor. troke is the third leading cause of death among Americans and the No. 1 cause of disability in adults. That’s the bad news. The good news is, 80 percent of strokes are preventable. As with anything, the first line of defense is knowledge. Take control by learning the facts. 5. Is it treatable? Yes, but get to the hospital quickly. Some people will qualify for clot-buster drugs, if they arrive early enough. “The drug used to break up clots is time-sensitive—the sooner it can be given the better the chance for full recovery,” says Mark Young, M.D., a neurologist at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. In addition, “Patients who go to the emergency room at Meeker Memorial now have the benefit of being seen through the use of a Telehealth Network monitor,” Young says. “With this computer monitor, I can see and talk to the patient simply by using a laptop computer. Use of this technology helps the emergency department physicians, the patient and their family have a face-to-face conversation, providing specialty care closer to home.” 1. What is stroke? Blood vessels that carry oxygen to the brain become blocked or burst. When the brain cannot get enough oxygen, cells begin to die, causing disability and sometimes death. 2. Who’s at risk? Anyone, at any age, can have a stroke. Certain factors, including being 55 and older and being male, put you at greater risk. 3. How can it be prevented? Control high-risk factors: D Manage your blood pressure and cholesterol. D Don’t smoke. D Maintain a healthy weight. 6. What happens after a stroke? Patients should take part in a stroke rehabilitation program—which may consist of physical, occupational and speech therapy—as soon as they’re strong enough. 1 4. What are the symptoms? Recognizing a stroke and seeking immediate treatment are keys to reducing the damaging effects. If you notice the Mark Young, M.D., neurologist following sudden symptoms, call 911 immediately; do not drive to the hospital. D Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side DoWnloaD a stroke of the body. IDentIfIcatIon carD D Confusion, trouble speaking To find out what to look for and what to do if you or understanding. think someone is having a stroke, download the card at D Trouble seeing. meekermemorial.org and click “Emergency Services” in the D Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss “Services” drop-down menu. You can also visit the Minnesota of balance or coordination. Stroke Association at strokemn.braininjurymn.org. D Severe headache with no known cause. learn more about the Telehealth Network at meekermemorial.org. Enter “Telehealth” in the search box. 5 http://www.meekermemorial.org http://strokemn.braininjurymn.org http://www.meekermemorial.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Healthy Perspectives - Fall 2012

Healthy Perspectives - Fall 2012
Reduce your risk with this essential information
Our program can help you recover after a heart attack
Welcome our new Ob-Gyn
A Healthy Beginning

Healthy Perspectives - Fall 2012

https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/healthyperspectives_2016spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/healthyperspectives_2016winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/healthyperspectives_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/healthyperspectives_2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/healthyperspectives_2015spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/healthyperspectives_2015winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/healthyperspectives_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/healthyperspectives_2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/healthyperspectives_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/healthyperspectives_2014winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/healthyperspectives_2013fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/healthyperspectives_2013summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/healthyperspectives_2013spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/healthyperspectives_2013winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/healthyperspectives_2012fall
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com