Stroke Specialist
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Affinity Neurocare
Nnamdi C. Dike, DO
Neurologist & Neurologist located in Carrollton, TX & Frisco, TX
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in America, yet up to 80% of all strokes could be prevented by lowering your blood pressure and eliminating other well-known risk factors. Nnamdi Dike, DO, at Affinity Neurocare specializes in stroke prevention, provides experienced medical care for strokes, and continues to support patients in their ongoing post-stroke recovery. To schedule an appointment, use the online booking feature or call the office in Frisco, Texas.
Stroke Q & A
What causes a stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to your brain is blocked, depriving the brain of essential oxygen and leading to the death of brain cells. If you get treatment within four hours of a stroke, you’ll minimize brain damage, lower your risk of complications, and improve your chance for recovery.
What symptoms develop due to a stroke?
The FAST acronym can help you remember the key symptoms of a stroke, plus it’s a reminder to act quickly to get emergency treatment:
- Face: One side of the face droops; it’s often easy to notice that one side of the mouth turns down
- Arm: Weakness in one arm; when the person raises and hold up both arms, one arm drifts downward
- Speech: Speech is slurred, or they have difficulty speaking
- Time: Getting fast treatment is essential; call 9-1-1 immediately
Patients who have had a stroke may also experience symptoms such as:
- Confusion
- Severe headache
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Blurry or double vision
- Difficulty walking
- Loss of balance
All these symptoms appear suddenly when they’re caused by a stroke.
What are the different types of stroke?
There are three different types of strokes:
Ischemic stroke
About 87% of all strokes are ischemic strokes. They occur when the artery is blocked by a blood clot or by cholesterol deposits that accumulate and harden into plaques, a condition called atherosclerosis.
Hemorrhagic stroke
A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures. The most common cause is high blood pressure. However, a hemorrhagic stroke may also arise due to blood vessel conditions, such as an aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation (AVM).
Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
A TIA is like a stroke, but it only lasts a few minutes and you don’t suffer brain damage. TIAs are warning signs because one-third of patients who have a TIA eventually have a full stroke, often within a year.
How are strokes treated?
Ischemic strokes are treated by restoring blood flow. The clot blocking the artery may be dissolved with medication or you may undergo a minimally invasive procedure to remove the plaque and open the artery.
Treatment for hemorrhagic strokes focuses on stopping the bleeding and reducing pressure in your brain. Your doctor may use medication or surgery to treat the aneurysm or AVM.
Dr. Dike takes proactive steps with his patients, identifying their risk factors for a stroke and creating a plan to help them prevent one from occurring. He offers exceptional post-stroke care, supporting your long-term health and helping you manage post-stroke rehabilitation.
To get exceptional treatment for stroke, call Affinity Neurocare or book an appointment online.
