BE FAST is more than just an acronym to help you identify symptoms of stroke—it’s also a major clue to the type of symptoms you should never ignore. The mnemonic BE FAST stands for Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time. Although there are some common stroke symptoms that could have other causes, it’s the sudden …
3 subtle stroke symptoms you should never ignore Read More »
Throbbing pain. Sensitivity to light. Nausea. Auras. For the 30 million people in the United States who experience migraines on a regular basis, they aren’t just a nuisance. They can interfere with your life and keep you from doing the things you love. They also could be a sign that you’re at an increased risk …
Migraines? It could be a sign of increased stroke risk Read More »
If you or a loved one is experiencing stroke symptoms, it’s time to get to the emergency department—ASAP. That’s because if there’s a blood clot in the brain, the longer the blood flow and oxygenation to the brain are affected, the sooner that tissue can die. When stroke physicians say, “time is brain,” their goal …
What to expect when you go to the ED with stroke symptoms Read More »
Although stroke is known as the “silent killer,” there are some things you can do to reduce your risk and even prevent strokes before they happen. Thomas Madaelil, MD, a neurointerventional surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano, tells us how. Ischemic strokes (aka the most common type) …
Are you at risk for stroke? And what you can do to lower your odds Read More »
For Hsujeng and Amy Liu, dancing has always been their love language. They met while dancing at a birthday party in 1976 and have been dancing through life together ever since. “He was a gentleman, which was extremely rare on the dance floor,” Amy said. “It also helped that he was a good dancer.” When …
Dancing as therapy: After stroke, husband and wife rediscover love for dance Read More »
Despite being a very common condition, epilepsy is often stigmatized and misunderstood. Epilepsy is the generic term for a medical condition that affects approximately 3.4 million people in the US—that’s more than 1 percent of the population—and 50 million people worldwide. Epilepsy encompasses more than 40 different syndromes. It’s the one of the most common …
Epilepsy 101: Seizure symptoms and how to help someone having a seizure Read More »
As an avid cyclist of more than 50 years, Jim Crawford enjoys several long bike rides every week, totaling about 150 miles. But after a near-fatal stroke, he is grateful to be alive, much less back on the bicycle. One day in January, Jim went for his usual ride. After he finished, he entered the …
After major stroke, cyclist grateful to be back on the bike Read More »
Do you often find yourself having trouble deciphering if the pain you’re feeling is just a bad headache or a migraine? Don’t worry — you aren’t alone. Headaches and migraines can be difficult to distinguish, even for practiced healthcare providers. Being a family medicine physician and migraine sufferer myself, I’ve seen the full spectrum of …
My head hurts! Is it a migraine or just a normal headache? Read More »
Are you or a loved one experiencing concussion symptoms? If you’re worried you may have experienced a concussion, it’s important to get checked out right away—an untreated concussion can be dangerous. The good news is, if your concussion is mild, a virtual visit can get you connected with expert care from the comfort and safety …
With up to 3.8 million sports-related concussions occurring each year, it is possible that you or someone in your family will at some point sustain a concussion. And athletes aren’t the only ones susceptible to a concussion—it can happen to anyone. While concussions are serious injuries, with the right information and action plan, you can not …