How soon after a stroke should you see a neurologist?

Timing the follow-up

Typically, if no active neurology issues persist, neurologists recommend that patients return to their internist within a few weeks of the stroke, even if they are seeing other specialists or are undergoing physical therapy or speech therapy. Some say that the sooner that happens, the better.

Should you see a neurologist after a stroke?

Stroke survivors often need long-term care to recover. While initial treatment after a stroke is vital, follow-up care with a neurologist is also important. Neurologists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system, including stroke.

What does a neurologist do for stroke victims?

These physicians know the symptoms and signs found in stroke patients and the detailed differential diagnosis of stroke subtypes. They are very familiar with the symptoms, signs, and diagnosis of other neurological disorders. They are knowledgeable about stroke recovery and rehabilitation.

How long do you have to get medical attention after a stroke?

For many patients, the blood clot can be treated with clot-dissolving medications like tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) or tenecteplase (TNK). The medication needs to be given within 3 hours of having a stroke, or for some eligible patients, up to 4 ½ hours after the onset of a stroke.

How long after a stroke can an MRI detect it?

Unlike a CT scan, which takes several hours to reveal any blockages of blood flow, an MRI can uncover any brain damage within an hour of the onset of the stroke symptoms. MRIs are also more accurate than CT scans since they are far more sensitive.

A Neurologist discusses Strokes

What should you not do after a stroke?

What tests are done after a stroke?

How likely is a second stroke?

Even after surviving a stroke, you're not out of the woods, since having one makes it a lot more likely that you'll have another. In fact, of the 795,000 Americans who will have a first stroke this year, 23 percent will suffer a second stroke.

What happens if you wait too long after a stroke?

It means that delays in getting care when experiencing stroke symptoms reduces a patient's treatment options and increases the risk of lasting disability or death, says vascular neurologist Mohammad Shafie, MD, PhD, associate director of the UCI Health Comprehensive Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center.

How long after a stroke does brain damage occur?

Brain Damage Occurs Within Minutes From The Onset Of A Stroke, Study Reveals. Summary: Harmful changes to the brain's synaptic connections occur within the first three minutes following a stroke. The finding, using mouse models, suggests cardiac arrest and stroke in humans would trigger a similar chain of events.

How long is life expectancy after a stroke?

How Does a Stroke Impact Life Expectancy? Despite the likelihood of making a full recovery, life expectancy after stroke incidents can decrease. Unfortunately, researchers have observed a wide range of life expectancy changes in stroke patients, but the average reduction in lifespan is nine and a half years.

What questions should you ask neurologist after a stroke?

How can a neurologist tell if you had a stroke?

A CT scan of the head is usually one of the first tests used for a stroke. A CT scan can show bleeding in the brain or damage to brain cells. The CT scan also can find other problems that can cause stroke symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Is brain damage from a stroke permanent?

Strokes are serious and can lead to long-term brain injury, physical disability and even death. Stroke-induced brain injury is permanent cannot be reversed. Therefore, it is essential to recognize the signs quickly and seek treatment immediately if someone is having a stoke.

What are the signs of a second stroke?

Is a second stroke worse than the first?

Second strokes are serious medical emergencies, and the risk of recurrent stroke increases greatly after a single stroke. All of this makes second stroke prevention a crucial part of recovery.

What medication is given after a stroke?

Aspirin and other antiplatelets

Most people will be given aspirin straight after having an ischaemic stroke. As well as being a painkiller, aspirin is an antiplatelet, which reduces the chances of another clot forming. Other antiplatelet medicines may be used later, such as clopidogrel and dipyridamole.

What to expect 6 months after a stroke?

After six months, improvements are possible but will be much slower. Most stroke patients reach a relatively steady state at this point. For some, this means a full recovery. Others will have ongoing impairments, also called chronic stroke disease.

How can you prevent a stroke from happening again?

Managing blood pressure levels, reducing or quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and regular physical activity will reduce the risk of a second stroke, along with managing conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.

Can you have another stroke while on blood thinners?

Unfortunately, blood thinners can reduce the risk of clot-related stroke only to increase the risk of stroke related to bleeding and blood vessel rupture. To prevent unwanted complications from blood thinners, patients may need to make lifestyle and adjustments moving forward.

Can doctors tell if you had a stroke in the past?

Usually, a silent stroke is discovered unexpectedly on a brain CT or brain MRI. These imaging tests can easily distinguish past strokes from recent strokes.

When should a CT scan be repeated in a stroke?

Within 48 hours of the ictus, findings on the CT scans may look completely normal (1– 5). As a result, it has become common practice for many physicians to repeat the CT scan 48 to 72 hours after the ictus, or to obtain a magnetic resonance (MR) image.

What are the three main causes of strokes?

A stroke happens when blood flow to your brain is stopped. It is an emergency situation. It can be caused by a narrowed blood vessel, bleeding, or a clot that blocks blood flow.

What to expect a week after a stroke?

Movement problems

Strokes can cause weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, and can result in problems with co-ordination and balance. Many people also experience extreme tiredness (fatigue) in the first few weeks after a stroke, and may also have difficulty sleeping, making them even more tired.

Do you need lot rest after stroke?

Give yourself plenty of time to recover from your stroke. It can take many months before post-stroke fatigue starts to lift. Accepting that it takes time to improve can help you to cope better. Find out how much you can do in a day and stick to it.