Meet Your Stroke Team When it’s a stroke, minutes matter. Expert medical attention is required immediately, so it is critical to be fast. Munson Healthcare’s interventional and multidisciplinary stroke team works together to provide the best care possible, from arrival to the Emergency Department through treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery. Your Stroke Team Gary B. Rajah, MD Endovascular/Cerebrovascular Neurosurgeon Surgical Director, Munson Healthcare Comprehensive Stroke Program “My goal is to bring vascular neurosurgical care and minimally invasive stroke care to our region, where these

Stroke Recovery Life After A Stroke How a stroke affects you depends on where the stroke occurs in your brain. It also depends on how much your brain is damaged. Many people who have a stroke are left with paralysis of one of their arms. Other problems can include having trouble with: Thinking Speaking Walking Swallowing, eating, or drinking Doing simple math such as adding, subtracting, or balancing a checkbook Basic problem solving Dressing Showering Going to the bathroom Some people may need long-term physical rehabilitation. They may not be able to live in their home without help. Support

What Is A Stroke? A stroke, or brain attack, happens when blood flow to your brain is stopped. It's an emergency situation. Call 9-1-1 if you think you might be having a stroke or stroke symptoms. The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients to work well. If blood supply is stopped even for a short time, this can cause problems. Brain cells begin to die after just a few minutes without blood or oxygen. When brain cells die, brain function is lost. You may not be able to do things that are controlled by that part of the brain. For example, a stroke may affect your ability to: Move

Stroke Treatment Caring for a Stroke Stroke is a medical emergency. It is a brain attack and happens when blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off. Brain cells deprived of oxygen quickly begin to die, which can result in temporary or permanent loss of speech, movement, vision, balance, and memory. Munson Healthcare hospitals in Cadillac, Charlevoix, Gaylord, Grayling, Frankfort, Kalkaska, Manistee and Traverse City have protocols and processes in place to quickly diagnose and evaluate a stroke and provide interventional care when necessary. Clinical Research Munson Healthcare’s stroke

Stroke Procedures Diagnostic Cerebral Angiogram This test makes X-ray images of blood vessels in your brain. During the test, the healthcare provider puts a long, thin, flexible tube (catheter) into a blood vessel and moves it to the brain. He or she uses a special contrast fluid to make the blood vessels in the brain show up on the X-rays. This test is also called arteriography. Rapid Artificial Intelligence CT Perfusion Scanning A brain perfusion scan is a type of brain test that shows the amount of blood taken up in certain areas of your brain. This can provide information on how your brain

Stroke Rehabilitation Munson Healthcare partners with Mary Free Bed for rehabilitation services, combining the nationally recognized rehabilitation expertise at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital with the local health care you trust from Munson Healthcare. From advanced inpatient treatment to specialized outpatient services, Mary Free Bed will be your partner on the road to recovery. Rehabilitation can begin immediately while the patient is still in the hospital. Before a stroke patient leaves the hospital, a case manager will meet with the patient and caregivers to talk about home care and

Stroke Club The Grand Traverse Bay Area Stroke Club offers stroke survivors and their support persons with the opportunity to learn, share, and connect with one another. Meetings include: Demonstrations Group discussions Informative speakers The Grand Traverse Bay Area Stroke Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month from 2:30 - 4:30 pm. Unless otherwise noted, the club meets at the Presbyterian Church of Traverse City at 701 Westminster Rd. Contact Facilitator Melinda Hollands at 231-935-6380 to learn more. View the Stroke Club Schedule

How to Prevent a Stroke Know your risk for stroke. Many stroke risk factors can be changed, treated, or medically modified. Some things you can do to control your risk factors are listed below. Lifestyle changes A healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk for stroke. That includes the following: Stop smoking, if you smoke. Make healthy food choices. Be sure to get the recommended amounts of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Choose foods that are low in animal fat, trans fat, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars. Stay at a healthy weight. Be physically active on a daily basis