A neurosurgeon in California with more than 20 years of medical experience, Ali Mesiwala, MD serves as the chief of the division of neurological surgery and the department of surgery for the St. Bernadine Medical Center. Services provided by Ali Mesiwala, MD at the San Bernardino, California clinic include stroke care, which is the leading cause of adult disability and the fourth leading cause of death in the US.
Strokes occur in the brain as a result of blocked blood flow due to blood clots in the arteries or a broken blood vessel. The blockage of blood flow deprives the brain cells of oxygen and causes them to die, which can lead to lasting brain damage and the permanent loss of abilities controlled by the affected area of the brain. Complications that arise vary from minor to severe, depending upon where the stroke occurs and the amount of damage sustained. While some individuals will experience a complete recovery, others will suffer from loss of speech abilities or permanent paralysis on one side of the body.
Symptoms of a stroke include severe unexplained headaches, trouble walking, and paralysis or numbness in the face, arms, or legs. Individuals may also exhibit slurred speech and difficulties with understanding, in addition to vision problems in one or both eyes. The type and amount of care received within the first minutes or hours following a stroke may determine the level of lasting damage and the likelihood of recovery.
