Stroke

In the neurological clinic, we examine and control patients who have suffered a stroke, in terms of diagnosis and clinic treatment. We refer patients who require long-term hospital treatment and/or intensive care to adequate medical centers. A stroke is a disease that occurs when the cerebral blood flow is compromised by a clot that prevents the flow of blood through a blood vessel (which we call ischemic stroke) or a rupture of a cerebral blood vessel (which we call hemorrhagic stroke).

Similar conditions include:

• Transient ischemic attacks (also called TIAs) - refers to a temporary disruption of blood circulation in the brain area, which leads to stroke-like symptoms lasting less than 24 hours. It is a serious condition, as it is a warning for a threatening stroke and is very similar in symptoms.

• Traumatic brain damage and/or bleeding occur when brain damage occurs as a result of head trauma. Symptoms may be mild at first (even invisible and usually include headache, confusion, visual disturbances and nausea). More serious signs of traumatic brain damage are loss of consciousness lasting longer than 6 hours, convulsions, dilated pupils and dizziness.

• A brain aneurysm is an expansion of the wall of a blood vessel in the brain by at least 50% more than the normal volume. It can rupture and bleed into vital brain structures. Symptoms may include a sudden headache ('like a thunderclap'), stiffness in the neck, sensitivity to light, nausea, convulsions and loss of consciousness.