This about says it all! I thought this sign was funny; my kids did not! It is hard to believe summer has come and gone. This month we look at the effects of cerebrovascular disease on activities of daily living.

Cerebrovascular Disease

Cerebrovascular disease refers to a group of conditions that affect the circulation of blood to the brain. Many of these conditions are capable of causing a limitation of, or more severely, a complete loss, of blood flow to specific areas of the brain. The most common types of cerebral vascular disease include stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini stroke), and subarachnoid hemorrhage.

A stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disturbed or interrupted. The main symptoms of a stroke can be remembered with the word FAST:

Face- you face may fall to one side, you may not be able to smile, or your mouth or eye may have drooped.

Arms- you may not be able to raise one or both arms and keep them there, due to arm weakness or numbness.

Speech- you may have slurred speech.

Time- it's time to dial 911 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.

A transient ischemic attack (TIA/mini stroke) is caused by a temporary drop in the blood supply to part of the brain, which results in a lack of oxygen to the brain. Symptoms usually last from only a few minutes to 1-2 hours, but are similar to a stroke. TIA's can be a warning sign of an impending stroke, and medical attention should be sought immediately for stroke prevention. There's approximately a 20% chance that people who have a TIA will experience a full stroke during the four weeks that follow the TIA.

A subarachnoid hemorrhage is a less common cause of cerebrovascular disease. It occurs when blood leaks from blood vessels onto the surface of the brain. During a subarachnoid hemorrhage, the bleeding occurs in the arteries that run underneath a membrane in the brain called the arachnoid, which is located just below the surface of the skull. Like all cerebrovascular events, a subarachnoid hemorrhage is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment to prevent serious complications, brain damage, or death.Three quarters of all subarachnoid hemorrhages are the result of an aneurysm rupturing. Other causes of subarachnoid hemorrhage include traumatic brain injury to the head, and malformation of blood vessels.

While cerebrovascular disease can be very serious, many patients receive proper medical treatment and are able to recover from the event.This recovery is often a long, gradual process, in which immediate needs are addressed first: these include the recovery of speech, the ability to feed,bathe, and dress oneself, stand, walk, and hopefully drive. In many situations, patients, and their physicians, are left feeling grateful that they are alive, and have regained these functions. However, some of these same patients later suffer from residual symptoms of dizziness and imbalance.These symptoms decrease the patient's ability to perform independent activities of daily living, thus contributing to an overall decline in the person's quality of life.

The main balance center of the brain, the brain stem, is particularly susceptible to cerebrovascular disease. Disruption of cerebellar function due to cerebrovascular disease can cause dizziness, vertigo, ataxia (uncoordinated gait),imbalance, increased risk of falling, and functional disability. A thorough assessment of the balance systems of the human body is an integral part of identifying these functional balance deficits. Getting to the right physical therapy clinic is key: there is often still room for recovering quality and independence of living!

Patient Testimonial

After my stroke, I suffered from dizziness and imbalance and was not able to do what I was able to before. Thankfully, my doctor referred me to you guys. I mostly was with Angie, who was a great therapist and friend. I can now do things by myself that before I was afraid to do. I will tell all my doctors and friends.

G. H. Amelia

Monthly Quote

I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.

- Thomas Jefferson

Fall Prevention Tip of the Month

Remember to talk to your doctor about keeping your prescription medications up to date, and to ask about any interactions with drugs you may already be taking.

The Center for Balance only treats patients suffering from dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance; we are not just another PT clinic. We treat out patients in comfortable surroundings and each treatment session is 1 on 1 with our trained specialists. You will not be passed onto someone else or told to do exercises by yourself.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick Shumrick BS, MHS, DPT
The Center for Balance

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