Strokes

Bayhealth Emergency and Urgent Care Center, Total Care offers rapid diagnosis and treatment of strokes in Milton and the Greater South Delaware area. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—pairing state-of-the-art equipment with specialized physicians and highly trained support staff.

If you or a loved one is having a stroke, call 911 right away. The dispatcher will ask you to explain the situation and will likely send an emergency medical team to your area and notify our emergency room.

Symptoms of a Stroke

The sooner medical care can be given for a stroke, the more treatment options available. That is why it is important to not only spot signs of a stroke quickly but also pay attention to the time symptoms began.

Signs of a stroke include:

• Trouble speaking and experiencing confusion
• Sudden numbness or paralysis
• Severe and sudden headache
• Sudden loss of balance and coordination or severe dizziness

Think F-A-S-T

If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. Many people use the FAST method to determine if a stroke is occurring. FAST stands for:

• F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Is one side drooping or lower than the other?
• A – Arms: Instruct the person to raise both arms to shoulder height. Does one arm drift down or is unable to rise?
• S – Speech: Can the person repeat a simple phrase without strange or slurred speech?
• T – Time: Call 911 immediately if you notice any of these issues.

Types of Stroke

Our facility is equipped with all of the technology needed to diagnose the type and severity of stroke. When you arrive, our staff will quickly perform a physical and neurological exam and take your medical history. Next, our skilled nurses, doctors, and technologists will conduct a CT, MRI scan, or other diagnostic tests to monitor blood flow and evaluate the electrical impulses of the brain.

The most common types of stroke include:

• Ischemic Stroke: Over 85% of strokes reported are ischemic strokes. These strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked and without rapid care, this can cause permanent damage to the brain.
  • Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Also known as a “mini-stroke”, this type of stroke should be handled with the same urgency as a major stroke. TIA is a temporary blockage, decreasing blood flow to the brain, usually for no more than five minutes. According to the CDC, more than a third of people who have suffered a mini-stroke and do not receive treatment have a major stroke within one year.
• Hemorrhagic Stroke: If a blood vessel ruptures, blood can enter the brain, causing an increase in pressure and damage to brain cells. This type of stroke accounts for roughly 13% of cases. Symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness, sudden mental impairment, loss of balance, and trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Heat Stroke: When the body overheats and becomes incapable of cooling itself down, heat stroke may occur—and the body’s internal temperature can rise to 106 degrees or more within 10 – 15 minutes. This can cause long-term disability or even death if not treated right away. Symptoms of heat stroke can include slurred speech, hot skin or profuse sweating, seizures, or a loss of consciousness.

If you or someone you love is having a stroke, call 911 or visit our emergency room right away.