f
you have had a stroke, or have had stroke warning signs
or risk factors, it is very important to seek prompt
medical attention. Your doctor will work with
you to find the cause of your problem and determine
the best treatment. Even if your symptoms resolve
without treatment, you should still discuss them with
your doctor. Don't assume that a problem is unimportant
if it goes away on its own. Never try to make a diagnosis
by yourself.
IMPORTANT: If you or someone you
know is having stroke symptoms now, call 911!
Stroke is a medical emergency. Click here
to read about the warning signs
of stroke.
The first step in understanding your problem
is to obtain a careful medical history. Your doctor
or health care provider will ask questions about your
situation. If you can't communicate, a family
member or friend will be asked to provide this information.
Your doctor will ask about the symptoms you are having
now and have had in the past, previous medical problems
or operations and any illnesses which run in your family.
Be sure to bring a current list of all the medicines
you take (prescription and non-prescription). If your
symptoms lasted only a while, your doctor might also
want to talk with someone else who was with you at the
time.
The next step is a thorough physical examination.
Your doctor will check your pulse and blood pressure,
and examine the rest of your body (heart, lungs, etc).
The neurologic examination includes detailed tests of
your muscles and nerves. The doctor will check your
strength, sensation, coordination and reflexes. In
addition, you will be asked questions to check your
memory, speech and thinking.
Depending on the results of your evaluation,
your doctor may need additional tests to fully understand
your problem. Detailed information about each of these
tests can be found on the following pages.
You may also be referred to a medical
specialist in brain disorders (neurologist), brain surgery
(neurosurgery) or another area.
Be patient. Sometimes it takes a while
to discover the cause of stroke symptoms, and sometimes
the cause of a stroke cannot be determined.
Be sure to discuss any questions or concerns
with your doctor or health care provider.
The information contained in this
web site is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment.
Consultation with your doctor or health care professional is recommended.
About Stroke
f
you have had a stroke, or have had stroke warning signs
or risk factors, it is very important to seek prompt
medical attention. Your doctor will work with
you to find the cause of your problem and determine
the best treatment. Even if your symptoms resolve
without treatment, you should still discuss them with
your doctor. Don't assume that a problem is unimportant
if it goes away on its own. Never try to make a diagnosis
by yourself.
