Stroke

    Overview

    Stroke is an abrupt interruption of constant blood flow to the brain that causes loss of neurological function. The interruption of blood flow can be caused by a blockage, leading to the more common ischemic stroke, or by bleeding in the brain, leading to the more deadly hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke constitutes an estimated 87 percent of all stroke cases. Stroke often occurs with little or no warning, and the results can be devastating.

    It is crucial that proper blood flow and oxygen be restored to the brain as soon as possible. Without oxygen and important nutrients, the affected brain cells are either damaged or die within a few minutes. Once brain cells die, they generally do not regenerate, and devastating damage may occur, sometimes resulting in physical, cognitive, and mental disabilities.

    Types

    There are two types of stroke.

    Ischemic Stroke 

    • Thrombotic (cerebral thrombosis) is the most common type of ischemic stroke. A blood clot forms inside a diseased or damaged artery in the brain resulting from atherosclerosis (cholesterol-containing deposits called plaque), blocking blood flow.
    • Embolic (cerebral embolism) is caused when a clot or a small piece of plaque formed in one of the arteries leading to the brain or in the heart, is pushed through the bloodstream and lodges in narrower brain arteries. The blood supply is cut off from the brain due to the clogged vessel.

    Hemorrhagic Stroke

    • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: bleeding that occurs in the space between the surface of them brain and the skull. A common cause of subarachnoid hemorrhagic stroke is a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, an area where a blood vessel in the brain weakens, resulting in a bulging or ballooning out of part of the vessel wall; or the rupture of an arteriovenous malformation, a tangle of abnormal and poorly formed blood vessels (arteries and veins), with an innate propensity to bleed.
    • Intracerebral Hemorrhage: bleeding that occurs within the brain tissue. Many intracerebral hemorrhages are due to changes in the arteries caused by long-term hypertension. Other potential causes may be delineated through testing.

    Our providers

    Profiles

    Hesham Allam, MD

    Neurologist Neurology
    751 N. Rutledge St. Suite 3100 Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Nicole Atwood, AGACNP-BC

    Advance Practice Nurse Neurology
    751 N. Rutledge St. Suite 3100 Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Deidra Frisbie, DNP, FNP-BC

    Certified Nurse Practitioner Neurology
    751 N. Rutledge St. Suite 3100 Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Laura Healy, MD

    Vascular Surgeon Vascular Surgery
    747 N. Rutledge Street 4th Floor Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Carlos Illingworth Garcia, MD

    Neurocritical Care and Stroke specialist Neurology
    Profiles

    Breck Jones, MD

    Neurosurgeon Neurosurgery
    747 N. Rutledge Street 2nd floor Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Dale Korinek, Psy.D

    Clinical Neuropsychologist Psychiatry
    319 E Madison St 3rd Floor Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Lauri Lopp, MD

    Physician Family Medicine
    520 N. 4th St. Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Paula Mackrides, DO

    Family Medicine
    612 N. 11th St. Quincy, IL 62301
    Profiles

    Sajjad Mueed, MD

    Director, Memorial Medical Center Stroke Center Neurology
    751 N. Rutledge St. Suite 3100 Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Teah Qvavadze, MD

    Vascular Surgeon Vascular Surgery
    747 N. Rutledge Street 4th Floor Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    William Robinson, MD

    Vascular Surgeon Vascular Surgery
    747 N. Rutledge Street 4th Floor Springfield, IL 62702
    Profiles

    Tian Zhang, MD

    Vascular Surgeon Vascular Surgery
    747 N. Rutledge Street 4th Floor Springfield, IL 62702

    Why SIU

    Continually learning

    With a focus on continual improvement, our doctors take the time to research, study and innovate to provide the latest treatments for our patients.

    Patient-first experience

    Our care ranges from primary care physicians to specialists and sub-specialists who have advanced training. We're here for you when you need us.

    Breakthrough tech

    Continually teaching the next generation of doctors, our physicians use the latest developments in procedures and technologies for our patients.

    Clinical Trials

    Trial
    Neuroscience Institute

    Sleep for Stroke Management and Recovery Trial

    Active recruiting

    The primary goals of this study are to determine whether treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with positive airway pressure starting shortly after accute ischemic stroke or high risk TIA (1) reduces recurrent stroke, acute coronary syndrome, and all-cause mortality 6 months after the event and (2) improves stroke outcomes at 3 months in patients who experienced ischemic stroke.

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