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What is a Stroke?

An illustration of a brain having a stroke or "brain attack." The brain is outlined in glowing white on a black background, the aneurysm is highlighted in glowing red.

A Stroke or “Brain Attack” is a form of cerebrovascular disease that affects the blood supply to the brain. It interrupts the flow of blood to the brain and can occur from one of two ways:

A silhouette of a human head, facing left, with an image of a brain, various arteries and the carotid arteries and a blood clot, layered within the human head silhouette. An oval containing an enlarged illustration of a blood clot in the cerebral artery within the brain is off to the right. Descriptive words surround both illustratio
  • A Blood clot blocks a blood vessel or artery. It is called Ischemic stroke.
An illustration of a silhouette of a human head, facing right with an illustration of a brain within the silhouette. Layered on to of the brain is an enlarged illustration, in a square frame, of an artery within brain about to rupture from a cerebral aneurysm.
  • A Blood vessel or artery breaks. This is called a Hemorrhagic (heh-more-raj-ik) stroke. The most common causes are high blood pressure and brain aneurysm. An aneurysm is a weakness or thinness in the blood vessel wall.

Dr. Diane’s® stroke was from a cavernous hemangioma, which is a bundle of capillaries. The capillaries broke and bled in her head, while driving. This bleeding caused Dr. Diane to pass out while driving, resulting in a 60- mile an hour head-on automobile accident. Five months later, Dr. Diane had to have brain surgery to remove the cavernous hemangioma.

TIA is a transient ischemic attack. This means there is a brief reduction of the blood flow to the brain. It mimics stroke symptoms stated below and also can be confused with symptoms of a migraine headache or partial seizure. The difference is the amount of time involved. The best advice is always to contact your medical doctor if you have any of the symptoms listed below.

A top view illustration (similar to an MRI scan film) of a Hemorrhagic Stroke. The brain is colored light pink and the hemorrhagic stroke is highlighted in red

Symptoms of a Stroke

The most common symptoms of a stroke are:

  • Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body
  • Loss of vision or dimming (like a curtain falling) in one or both eyes
  • Loss of speech, difficulty talking, or understanding what others are saying
  • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
  • Loss of balance or unstable walking, usually combined with another symptom.

Causes of a Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency and can cause permanent neurological damage and death. Risk factors for stroke include old age, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, tobacco smoking, previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), and atrial fibrillation. High blood pressure is the most important modifiable risk factor of stroke.

Post Injury Symptoms of a Stroke

How a person is affected by their stroke depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged. For example, someone who had a small stroke may only have minor problems such as temporary weakness of an arm or leg. People who have larger strokes may be permanently paralyzed on one side of their body or lose their ability to speak. Some people recover completely from strokes, but more than 2/3 of survivors will have some type of disability.

Both Stroke and Brain Aneurysm are types of Brain Injury. Therefore, individuals who have had a Stroke or Brain Aneurysm may experience the same symptoms as someone who has suffered a Brain Injury or Concussion.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms as a result of a brain injury, Dr. Diane’s Brain Rehabilitation Program can help you regain your life. The goal of brain rehabilitation is to help regain a resilient brain and mind and return your life to its optimal level.

Post Injury Symptoms Include

 

 

  • Fatigue
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Hearing problems
  • Headaches
  • Blurred vision
  • Dizziness
  • Nightmares/Flashbacks
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Falling asleep unexpectedly
  • Hand or leg tremors
  • Sensitivity to light and/or sound
  • Sexual dysfunction or loss of sex drive
  • Gait imbalance
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Loss of taste and smell

 

  • Confrontational attitude
  • Explosive temper
  • Fearfulness
  • Impatience
  • Thoughtlessness
  • Hypervigilance

 

  • Depression
  • Agitation
  • Apathy
  • Irritability
  • Fear of “going crazy”
  • Frustration or anger
  • Guilt or shame
  • Feelings of helplessness
  • Anxiety
  • Frequent mood changes

 

  • Distractibility
  • Disorientation
  • Temporary Amnesia
  • Problems with Speaking
  • Poor Judgment
  • Slow Thinking
  • Inability to Focus Attention
  • Problems Remembering What You Heard
  • Word Finding Problems
  • Feelings of Confusion
  • Long or Short Term Memory Problems

Schedule Your Consultation

Are you ready to relieve the pain and suffering caused by your traumatic brain injury? Contact Dr. Diane and her team of experts today, and get your life back on track.


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Find Help and Hope in Dr. Diane’s Book!

Coping with Concussion and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

If you're suffering from a concussion, or any other form of mild traumatic brain injury, pick up Dr. Diane's book Coping with Concussion and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and start healing today!


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CONTACT DR. DIANE®

Dr. Diane® Roberts Stoler, Ed.D.
7 Hodges Street
N. Andover, MA 01845
Phone: (800) 500-9971
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Dr. Diane is a catalyst for change

Image Credit Elaine Boucher

Within each person shines an inner light that illuminates our path and is the source of hope. Illness, trauma, suffering and grief can diminish the light and shroud hope. I am a catalyst for hope and change, offering a way to rekindle this inner light.

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