Neurological care

As part of our advanced imaging services, our neurodiagnostic department operates its own electroencephalogram (EEG) laboratory, which is accredited by the Laboratory Accreditation Board of ABRET. Staffed by registered EEG technologists, our team goes the extra mile to ensure you are informed about your care and remain comfortable during testing.

An EEG is a test that measures and records electrical activity in the brain. Special sensors, called electrodes, are placed on the head and attached to wires that communicate with our computer system. The computer will record brain wave activity on the screen.

EEGs are performed for many reasons, such as:

• Checking for problems that could cause loss of consciousness or dementia
• Determining your recovery status following a change in consciousness
• Diagnosing epilepsy and identifying what type of seizures are occurring
• Diagnosing mental health problems or physical problems in the brain, spinal cord or nervous system
• Monitoring brain wave activity during brain surgery while under general anesthesia

The EEG lab is located within the hospital in our main tower on the first floor. For questions about an EEG exam, please call us at (706) 651-6524.

The emergency room (ER) at our hospital offers prompt, comprehensive emergency care for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. We work quickly to confirm a diagnosis and begin treatment as soon as possible.

An ischemic stroke occurs when there is a blockage in blood flow to the brain. This normally occurs due to a buildup of plaque in one of the arteries. We treat ischemic strokes by locating the blockage and using clot-busting medications or a procedure to widen the artery. If you have experienced an ischemic strokes and arrive within a certain time frame after the onset of symptoms, we use tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), to restore blood flow.

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when blood begins bleeding into the brain. This occurs due to a burst blood vessel in the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes are the less common type of stroke. They are treated by relieving the excess pressure put on the brain.

Recognizing stroke symptoms

Being able to identify stroke symptoms could save a life. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms listed below so you know when to seek emergency care. Every second counts when diagnosing and treating a stroke, so recognizing symptoms and getting to the hospital fast are crucial.

If you suspect a stroke is occurring, remember to act F.A.S.T.:

• F(ace) — Does one side of the face feel numb? Does one side of the face droop when smiling?
• A(rms) — Does one arm feel weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms over their head. Does one arm drift downward?
• S(peech) — Can you easily understand them when speaking? Are they slurring their speech? Can they repeat a simple sentence correctly?
• T(ime) — If you identify one or more of these symptoms, a stroke may be occurring. Call 911 immediately.

Stroke rehabilitation

A stroke often results in cognitive or neurological problems due to the brain's prolonged loss of oxygen. Side effects of stroke vary depending on the severity of the blockage and the time to treatment. Our hospital's comprehensive physical rehabilitation program offers specialized care therapy to help you recover from a stroke.

You may participate in stroke rehabilitation on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. Throughout the physical rehabilitation program, our physical, occupational and speech therapists will work with you to relearn daily activities, restore fine motor skills and work through speech deficits.

Stroke care team

We have received advanced certification from The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center. If you are receiving treatment for a stroke at our hospital, you will be cared for by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including:

• Case managers
• Dietitians
• Emergency physicians
• Neurologists
• Neuroradiologists
• Neurosurgeons
• Pharmacists
• Rehabilitation therapists
• Registered nurses

A seizure is a storm of electrical activity occurring on the surface of the brain, and epilepsy is a type of seizure disorder that occurs because electrical impulses in the brain are not working as they should. Seizures associated with epilepsy can be confined to one area of the brain or spread to other areas. Epilepsy may occur at any point in life. However, onset is much less common after adolescence.

The main treatment options for seizures are anticonvulsant or anti-epileptic medications. The goal of these medicines is to prevent seizures from occurring with minimal side effects.

Avoiding seizures in children

The majority of seizures have no known cause. However, many factors can lead to one, especially in children with a history of them. To reduce a child's seizure threshold (the point where the brain will go into seizure), you can avoid improper use of prescribed medications. Other factors, such as menstrual periods and illnesses (especially those causing fever, emotional stress, lack of sleep and fatigue), may also contribute to seizures.