Stroke Specialist

North Texas Neurology & Neuropathy

Devanshi Gupta, MD

Neurology & Neuropathy located in Allen, TX

Stroke is one of the five leading causes of death in the United States and a leading cause of disability for adults. Devanshi Gupta, MD, FAAN, FAANEM, of North Texas Neurology & Neuropathy in Allen, Texas, specializes in neurology and several other subspecialties of Neurology. Dr. Gupta provides advanced testing and treatment for patients who have suffered a stroke and widely advocates Stroke education in the community by way of talks, educational forums at hospitals. She started the Stroke Program at Richardson Regional Medical center in 2010 and got it its Primary stroke Certification. Call or request an appointment online to learn the ways a stroke can affect your whole body and explore the treatments available to improve your quality of life after a stroke.

972-474-8897

Stroke Q & A

What is a stroke?

A stroke is a medical emergency that can happen to anyone at any time during a sudden interruption of blood flow in your brain. There are two primary types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic.

During an ischemic stroke, a blood vessel that supplies your brain becomes blocked. During a hemorrhagic stroke, bleeding occurs in or around your brain. About 87% of strokes are ischemic, and many of them can be prevented.

When you don’t receive immediate treatment for a stroke, irreparable damage occurs, and you may lose muscle control/ paralysis or your ability to remember things.

How do strokes occur?

There are two main types of blood clots that can cause a stroke: embolic and thrombotic. An embolic blood clot forms in your heart or neck and travels to your brain, while a thrombotic blood clot forms at the site of the stroke in your brain.

High blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors for an ischemic stroke and how quickly you receive medical attention is critical for minimizing the long-term effects on other systems in your body.

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

Since strokes come on suddenly and need immediate medical attention, it’s important to recognize common signs, such as:

Difficulty seeing out of one or both eyes
A severe headache and dizziness
Numbness or weakness in your face or drooping face, weak arm, or leg on one side of your body
Difficulty walking or loss of balance
Confusion or trouble speaking, swallowing
Loss of consciousness

These symptoms are identical to those that occur during a transient ischemic attack (TIA). TIA is like a stroke, only the symptoms may not be as severe and typically last only a few minutes. TIA doesn’t result in permanent damage or disability and is sometimes referred to as a mini-stroke.

What is vasculitis and how is it related to stroke?

Vasculitis is inflammation that can affect both small and large blood vessels. Although the exact cause is unclear, vasculitis can affect your central nervous system, causing the blood vessels in your brain to swell. This can lead to severe headaches, strokes, or TIA. In some cases, vasculitis appears to be related to an autoimmune disorder.

If someone you know exhibits symptoms of a stroke, call 911 for immediate assistance. For more information about preventing stroke or for help managing your condition after you’ve had a stroke, call North Texas Neurology & Neuropathy or schedule an appointment online.

Featured