Treating Stroke, Pain and Other Neurological Conditions

The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. At Henderson Hospital, we combine technology with empathy and skill to deliver dedicated care. Neurologists at Henderson Hospital treat a wide range of neurological conditions, including stroke.

Stroke Services

Doctors at Henderson Hospital make every effort to foster the best outcome possible for people who have experienced a stroke. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or stopped. Within a few minutes of a stroke, brain cells begin to die. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a major cause of disability in the United States. In fact, someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds. That's why prevention is at the core of our care.

Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification

Henderson Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Heart Association®/American Stroke Association® Heart-Check mark for Advanced Primary Stroke Certification.

Learn more

We offer screenings and education and participate in community events to promote awareness of the risk factors and warning signs of possible stroke. Our multidisciplinary team works together to personalize your treatment plan in a way that works best for you. Your care does not stop when you leave the hospital. We also offer stroke rehabilitation referrals to help patients regain their independence and get back to living their lives. We also offer stroke survivor support groups and host events within the community for survivors and their families.

Our nurses receive specialized training in the care of stroke patients and the complicating factors often associated with stroke. Our nursing staff begins stroke education with patients and caregivers immediately upon admission. We also provide extensive educational materials to take home when patients leave the unit.

Stroke Types and Symptoms

There are two kinds of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic. In ischemic stroke, the most common type, a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain. In hemorrhagic stroke, a blood vessel breaks and bleeds into the brain. Symptoms of possible stroke include:

  • Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg — especially on one side of the body
  • Difficulty with speaking or understanding speech
  • Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • Severe headache with no known cause

Think FAST

If you or someone you're with has any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 or get to a hospital immediately. Staff in the emergency department will administer acute stroke medications to try to stop a stroke while it is happening. Ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke, is treated with the clot-busting drug known as tPA. The drug must be given to patients within three- to four-and-a-half hours after the onset of stroke symptoms, and preferably sooner.

Use the acronym FAST to quickly identify possible strokes:

F = FACE

Smile. Does one side of the face droop? Can you see the same number of teeth on each side of the face?

A = ARMS

Hold up both arms for 10 seconds. Does one drift downward?
 

S = SPEECH

Repeat a simple sentence. Is the speech slurred or strange? Can you understand the person?

T = TIME

If these signs are present, every second counts. Call 9-1-1 immediately.

Preventing Stroke

The best way to keep your brain healthy is to avoid a stroke in the first place. Some ways to prevent stroke are to do the following:

  • Keep your blood pressure controlled through lifestyle changes and/or medications
  • Don't smoke or stop smoking
  • Take steps to manage your cholesterol
  • Limit your alcohol consumption
  • Exercise regularly
  • Maintain a healthy weight

Find a Doctor

For a non-emergency referral to a neurologist at Henderson Hospital, contact our free physician referral service at 702-388-4888.