Various medical tests are used in the evaluation of stroke & bull; hello healthy

Stroke can affect a wide range of your abilities, from vision and speech, to leg movement and coordination skills. Stroke, unlike most neurological problems, usually occurs relatively suddenly and quickly. One of the most important skills for a neurologist or a member of a stroke care team is the ability to quickly and accurately distinguish the difference between a stroke and other less serious neurological problems.

In fact, before advanced imaging tests were developed, doctors could precisely determine if a patient had had a stroke within minutes. With advances in imaging and medical testing, modern medical students are taught how to identify the specific location of a stroke in the brain.

Apart from imaging, there are also various medical tests used in stroke evaluation. Some of these tests can help determine if there are other health problems to look out for besides a stroke. Several tests are used to help guide safe medical treatment after a stroke, particularly treatment with blood thinners. Several tests are used to assess risk factors for stroke. Some of these tests are used to help find out if there are other medical problems besides a stroke that have symptoms similar to those of a stroke. Not all stroke survivors need all of these tests, most patients only need a few tests.

What medical tests are used for stroke evaluation?

Below is a list of some of the medical tests you may need if you have had a stroke or need to be evaluated for a stroke.

Blood test

Blood tests can evaluate certain risk factors or consequences of stroke.

• CBC (Complete Blood Count) or complete blood count. The CBC test can help measure whether there are problems with blood cells, body electrolytes, or if there is inflammation or infection.
• Partial prothrombin / thromboplastin PT / PTT timing test. This blood test measures the time it takes for blood to clot. This test is very important in monitoring medication by means of an emergency blood thinning which is sometimes used for the treatment of stroke.
• Cholesterol / lipid test. A careful analysis of fat and cholesterol levels can help assess the risk of vascular disease.

Special blood test

Certain tests such as homocysteine, lupus anticoagulant, rheumatoid factor, anti-nuclear antibodies, and other tests may be ordered when there is suspicion of autoimmune disease or other common illnesses.

• A blood sugar test can determine if a person has untreated diabetes, which is a risk factor for stroke
• A hemoglobin A1C test can reveal whether a stroke sufferer has had high blood sugar over the past few months
• The arterial blood gas test measures oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, which can help assess heart and lung function.

Urine analysis

• Glucose test in urine. If glucose is found in the urine, this is a sign of diabetes.
• Drug toxicity. Many use of illegal drugs can cause stroke, especially cocaine and methamphetamine. Some drugs do not always cause a stroke, but they can interfere with other people's judgment and thinking, making the patient behave as if he or she has had a stroke.

Special test

• An EKG test evaluates heart function and can reveal whether there is a heart attack or abnormal heart rhythm
• A cerebrospinal fluid test can determine if there is an infection due to the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, which can cause a stroke or have the same conditions as a stroke. This test can also show characteristics of multiple sclerosis that may mimic the symptoms of a stroke.
• evoked potentials is a test that measures electrical activity in the brain. This test can provide clues to aid in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
• EEG. This test is a brain wave test that evaluates electrical activity. Can show if there are seizures, which may initially mimic the symptoms of a stroke. The changes in EEG characteristics that accompany stroke are often altered.
• EMG. A nerve and muscle test used to evaluate neuropathy, which may mimic the symptoms of a stroke.