Lake Regional Health System | Thrive | Fall 2019

lakeregional.com 7 Why is stroke always an emergency? A stroke starves the brain of the nutrients it needs. As a result, the areas of the body controlled by the affected part of the brain lose function. That’s why stroke is a leading cause of disability in the United States. It kills brain cells. “The earlier a patient receives the proper treatment, the greater their chances are for survival and recovery,” Dr. Kurle says. What are the symptoms of a stroke? The major symptoms of a stroke can be best remembered by the acronym FAST, which stands for: • Face drooping. Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? A quick way to assess this is to ask the person to smile. Is the smile uneven or lopsided? • Arm weakness. Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm dip downward? • Speech difficulty. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is their speech slurred, or are they not able to speak at all? • Time to call 911. This isn’t a symptom but instead an urgent reminder to get help right away — even if the symptoms go away. The best way to get emergency medi- cal help for a stroke is to call 911. Get care at a stroke center Lake Regional was among the first Missouri hospitals to earn a Level II Stroke Center designation. Among other things, Lake Regional offers: • A 24/7 acute stroke team. The team includes neurologists physical therapy and occupational therapy, before going home. • Home Health. Your doctor may order home health services to provide individualized care and support as you recover at home. • Physical Therapy. You may need physical therapy to overcome weakness and difficulty moving. • Occupational Therapy. If you have disabilities, occupational therapy may help you work around them to regain skills. and others experienced in stroke diagnosis and treatment. • Excellent coordination with emergency medical services personnel. This allows care to start before the patient reaches the Emergency Department door. • Fast access to brain imaging services. This cuts the time it takes to diagnose a stroke. The sooner a diagnosis is made, the sooner treatment can begin. • Ability to perform thrombolysis with tPA, a lifesaving treatment that can immediately break up a clot that is causing an ischemic stroke. “Years ago, stroke patients were considered lucky if they survived, and significant lifelong disabilities were just ac- cepted,” Dr. Kurle says. “Those days are long gone. From the time our patients arrive until they finish their rehab, we are working to help them get through their stroke with as few limitations as possible.” • Speech Therapy. A speech therapist can help you with speech or swallowing problems. • Chronic Care Management Program. This program helps patients with two or more chronic conditions navigate their health care for better outcomes. • Stroke Survivors Support Group. Stroke changes lives. This support group will help you take on the challenges and thrive after stroke. National award We’re proud to have achieved recognition by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association for following the latest research-based standards for stroke care. Learn what our Get With The Guidelines Achievement Award means for you at lakeregional.com/strokegold .