May is Stroke Awareness Month, and on a recent episode of the Health Matters with the Medicine Center Pharmacy podcast, pharmacists Paul White and Brad White welcomed stroke rehabilitation specialists Angie Eaton, Beth Layman, and Morgan Odeck from Aultman Health System to discuss stroke prevention, warning signs, treatment, and recovery.

Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability in the United States. The encouraging news? Fast action, early treatment, and rehabilitation can dramatically improve outcomes.

What Is a Stroke?

A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. According to the rehabilitation team, there are two primary types of stroke:

Ischemic Stroke — caused by a blockage or clot restricting blood flow to the brain.
Hemorrhagic Stroke — caused by bleeding from a ruptured blood vessel in or around the brain.

Because brain cells begin to die quickly during a stroke, time is critical.

Remember “BE FAST”

The rehabilitation specialists emphasized the importance of recognizing stroke symptoms early using the acronym BE FAST:

B – Balance: Sudden dizziness or coordination problems
E – Eyes: Vision changes or blurred vision
F – Face: Facial drooping or uneven smile
A – Arms: Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg
S – Speech: Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
T – Time: Call 911 immediately

One of the biggest mistakes patients make is trying to “sleep off” symptoms instead of seeking emergency care right away.

Why Early Treatment Matters

For some ischemic strokes, hospitals may administer a clot-busting medication called tPA, which is most effective when given within the first few hours after symptoms begin. Quick treatment can reduce brain damage and improve recovery potential.

The guests stressed that stroke is always a medical emergency and that every minute matters.

The Power of Stroke Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation often begins within 24–48 hours after a patient is medically stabilized. The goal is to help patients regain strength, movement, speech, balance, and independence as early as possible.

At inpatient rehabilitation facilities like Aultman Woodlawn, patients may participate in:

Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Speech therapy
24-hour nursing support
Physician oversight several times per week

Patients commonly receive at least three hours of therapy daily, five days per week.

Understanding Neuroplasticity

One of the most fascinating concepts discussed during the program was neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to adapt and form new neural pathways after injury.

The therapists compared it to building a new highway around a traffic jam. Through repetition, movement, therapy, mental imagery, and practice, the brain can continue learning and recovering long after a stroke occurs.

This means recovery can continue for months — and even years — following a stroke.

Recovery Looks Different for Everyone

Stroke recovery varies depending on:

The size and location of the stroke
How quickly treatment was received
The patient’s overall health
Motivation and participation in therapy
Support systems at home

Some patients experience mobility challenges, speech difficulties, memory problems, or fatigue. Others may struggle more with communication or processing information. Specialized therapy programs and assistive technologies can help patients regain independence and improve quality of life.

Supporting Patients Beyond the Hospital

At Medicine Center Pharmacy, we believe education and community awareness are essential parts of improving health outcomes. Stroke awareness begins with recognizing symptoms early and encouraging loved ones to seek immediate medical attention.

If you missed this episode of Health Matters with the Medicine Center Pharmacy, you can listen on your favorite podcast platform or visit our YouTube channel for the full discussion.

Early recognition saves lives — and recovery is possible with the right care, support, and rehabilitation.

Thanks for listening today! We’d like to remind our listeners, if you suspect you have a medical issue, please contact your healthcare provider. Thanks to our sponsor Aultman Health System. As always, we thank our listeners for joining us on Health Matters with the Medicine Center Pharmacy. Have a healthy week and we’ll see you again next Friday right here on News Talk 1480 WHBC.

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