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Stroke: Education is your best defense

Imagine you are enjoying a quiet weekend with your family and suddenly you can't hear your grandson's laugh. Trouble hearing and understanding others is just one of the symptoms of a stroke, also known as a brain attack. A brain attack can cause permanent disability or even death if left untreated.

In the case of a medical emergency, always call 911

Emergency rooms at the following Aurora hospitals have specially trained teams to provide care for patients experiencing a stroke:

• Aurora Lakeland Medical Center, Elkhorn
• Aurora Medical Center in Hartford
• Aurora Medical Center in Kenosha
• Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center
• Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Milwaukee
• Memorial Hospital of Burlington
• Aurora St. Luke's South Shore, Cudahy
• St. Luke's Medical Center, Milwaukee
• Aurora West Allis Medical Center

Rapid medical care can either prevent a brain attack from occurring or reduce the damage, so go to an ER that is prepared:

• Equipped with state-of-the-art technology for prompt diagnosis and treatment of brain attacks
• Comprehensive care from education and prevention through treatment and rehabilitation
• Access to Aurora's brain attack team which consists of highly experienced neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuroradiologists, rehabilitation physicians, nurses and support staff

What is a brain attack?

A brain attack, or stroke, occurs when the normal flow of blood carrying oxygen to the brain is cut off because blood vessels either rupture or become clogged. Lack of oxygen causes brain cells to stop working and eventually die.

Every year brain attacks strike nearly 730,000 Americans. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and the first leading cause of adult disability. Research shows that the majority of Americans are not aware of the symptoms of stroke or how critical immediate treatment is.

If you experience any symptoms of brain attack, please get to a hospital immediately. If treated within three hours, we may be able to minimize the damage from the brain attack and help you hear your grandson's laugh again. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Brain attack is a medical emergency

Know the warning signs:

• Sudden weakness or numbness of face, arm or leg on one side of the body
• Loss of speech or trouble understanding speech
• Sudden dimness or loss of vision
• Sudden severe headaches
• Dizziness, especially when combined with other stroke symptoms

If you experience these symptoms get immediate medical care, even if the symptoms disappear after a few minutes. The earlier treatment begins, the greater the possibility of reducing or reversing brain damage. Treatment must be provided within three hours. Please call 9-1-1 immediately if you experience any of the symptoms listed here.

Brain attack support groups

Aurora Health Care offers several support groups for those who have experienced brain attack and their friends or families. There is no charge to attend and no registration is required. For more information, please contact the group nearest you. Currently, groups meet at the following locations:

Hartford:

Hartford Stroke Club
3rd Thursday of each month
10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Senior Center
(262) 670-7233

Milwaukee:

Aphasia Support Group
3rd Thursday of each month
3:00 to 4:15 p.m.
Rehabilitation Lounge (2nd floor)
St. Luke's Medical Center
(414) 649-7772

Stroke Club
2nd Thursday of each month
2 to 4 p.m.
Dining Rooms C and D
North Building
St. Luke's Medical Center
(414) 649-6400

Stroke Support Group
2nd Wednesday of each month
2 to 3 p.m.
Rehabilitation Conference Room
Aurora Sinai Medical Center
(414) 219-3855

West Allis:

Starting New
3rd Wednesday of each month
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Conference Room B
Aurora West Allis Medical Center
(414) 328-6630

Wisconsin Chapter, National Stroke Association