Brain and Spine Center
The Baylor Scott & White – Plano Brain and Spine Center provides comprehensive care for a wide range of brain and spine conditions. We take a team approach to care, developing custom care plans for each patient. Some of the conditions treated and services offered include:
- Brain aneurysms
- Brain and spinal tumors
- Complex spine disorders
- Epilepsy
- Headache
- Memory Loss
- Minimally invasive spine
- Movement disorders
- Neuromodulation
- Neuropsychology
- Pain management
- Peripheral nerve disorders
- Stroke
The Center features an experienced team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuro interventional radiologists, critical care physicians, oncologists, and other physicians on the Baylor Scott & White – Plano medical staff who are specialty and/or subspecialty trained in brain and spine care, as well as a specialized clinical support team. The program features:
- Advanced clinical nurse specialist
- Brain and spine ICU beds
- Certified Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission
- Enhanced surgical equipment
- Epilepsy monitoring unit
- Neuro interventional biplane angiography suite
- Patient navigation
- Research and clinical trials
Stroke
There are three types of stroke:
- Ischemic, caused by a blockage
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), caused by a temporary blockage and also referred to as a mini stroke
- Hemorrhagic, caused by a weakened blood vessel bursting. Aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations can cause a hemorrhagic stroke, but the most common source of hemorrhagic stroke is uncontrolled high blood pressure.
Uncontrollable Risk Factors for Stroke:
- Females have more strokes than males
- Stroke can occur at any age, but the risk doubles every decade from age 65
- Family history
- African Americans have a higher risk of stroke than Caucasians
- A previous stroke
Controllable Risk Factors for Stroke:
- Manage chronic conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, sickle cell disease, and diabetes
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Nutrition/Diet
- Obesity
- Smoking
Warning Signs
An easy way to notice warning signs of a stroke is BEFAST:
- Balance - Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
- Eyes - Sudden loss or changes in vision in one or both eyes
- Face - Facial droop, uneven smile
- Arm - Arm numbness or weakness
- Speech - Slurred speech, difficulty speaking or understanding
- Time - Time to get help immediately