During a stroke, blood flow to your brain stops. Without oxygen-rich blood, brain cells die. At Modern Migraine MD, with office locations in the NoMad neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City, Toms River, New Jersey, and Aventura, Florida, board-certified neurologist Risa Ravitz, MD, diagnoses and rules out strokes. She also looks for other causes to explain your symptoms, such as transient ischemic attack (TIA) or transient global amnesia (TGA). Call or schedule your appointment online today. The practice provides telemedicine appointments in multiple states.
A stroke is a serious medical condition in which there’s a disruption in the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Without an adequate supply of blood, even for a short period of time, brain cells die, affecting body functions like movement, eating, or speaking.
There are two kinds of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic.
During an ischemic stroke, there’s a blockage in one of the major blood vessels to the brain. Blood clots or a buildup of plaque are the most common causes of an ischemic stroke.
A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when one of the blood vessels in the brain bursts.
A stroke can happen at any time and at any age. However, your risk of having a stroke increases if you have a history of high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes.
Though strokes are common, there are other conditions that cause similar symptoms. Modern Migraine MD specializes in diagnosing and ruling out strokes.
During a workup, Dr. Ravitz may look for other stroke-like conditions, such as:
TIA is sometimes called a mini-stroke. During a TIA, there’s a temporary block of blood flow to the brain. During a TIA, you may have symptoms similar to a stroke, such as dizziness, confusion, or trouble speaking or seeing. However, these symptoms resolve within minutes.
The lack of blood flow to the brain during a TIA may cause brain damage, but it’s not permanent. However, having a TIA increases your risk of stroke.
TGA is a rare medical condition that affects a person’s ability to form new memories or recall recent events. TGA is a short-term condition that lasts no more than 24 hours.
Though researchers are still investigating what causes someone to develop TGA, they theorize it may occur because of insufficient blood flow to the brain. Migraines are a risk factor for TGA.
A stroke is a medical emergency. If you or someone you love is having a stroke, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Because a stroke affects brain function, Modern Migraine MD provides stroke workups to confirm or rule out a stroke and determine if your symptoms are due to TIA or TGA.
During a workup, Dr. Ravitz reviews symptoms and medical history. She also performs neurological tests and may recommend diagnostic imaging such as an MRI or CT scan.
To schedule a consultation with the highly accessible neurologist at Modern Migraine MD, call or book online today.