What other conditions can be mistaken for a stroke?

Conditions That Look Like a Stroke

• Seizures.
• Migraine.
• Low or High Blood Sugar.
• Bell’s Palsy.
• Brain Tumors.
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Conversion Disorder.
• Sepsis and Other Infections.

Can a neurologist diagnose a stroke?

As part of the hospital team, vascular neurologists: Quickly and accurately interpret diagnostic tests such as: CT scans, which help identify a stroke diagnosis and the type of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) so the right treatment and next steps can be taken.

What is a false stroke?

A transient ischemic attack (TIA), often referred to as a “ministroke,” occurs when part of the brain experiences a temporary lack of blood flow. This causes stroke-like symptoms that usually resolve within 24 hours.

Do strokes always show on MRI?

Tests will be done to rule out a stroke or other disorders that may cause the symptoms: You will likely have a head CT scan or brain MRI. A stroke may show changes on these tests, but TIAs will not.

Does a neurologist deal with strokes?

Vascular neurologists are often called stroke doctors because, in addition to taking care of people who have neurological conditions, they concentrate all or most of their work on taking care of people who have challenging stroke problems.

Why is it important to see a neurologist after a stroke?

So, following up with a neurologist is very important because that neurologist can help to find the cause of the stroke and really tailor the treatments to that cause to do the best job possible to reduce the risk of another stroke happening.

What is not a stroke mimic?

>> Describe why migraine headaches, hypoglycemia, multiple sclerosis, conversion disorders and seizures are often misdiagnosed as strokes. Aphasia: A condition in which language function is disordered or absent because of an injury to certain areas of the cerebral cortex.

What blood tests would a neurologist do?

Blood tests can monitor levels of therapeutic drugs used to treat epilepsy and other neurological disorders. Analyzing urine samples can reveal toxins, abnormal metabolic substances, proteins that cause disease, or signs of certain infections.

What tests will neurologist do?

These tests may include one or more of the following:

• Blood and/or urine tests.
• Imaging tests such as an x-ray or MRI.
• A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) test.
• Biopsy.
• Tests, such as electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG), which use small electric sensors to measure brain activity and nerve function.

What are the signs of a silent stroke?

Unlike events such as a heart attack where there could be obvious signs of discomfort or pain, a silent stroke may include the following symptoms:

• Sudden lack of balance.
• Temporary loss of basic muscle movement (bladder included)
• Slight memory loss.
• Sudden changes in mood or personality.