Neurological Care

Types of Stroke

A stroke occurs when there is a decrease in blood supply to the brain, preventing the brain from receiving the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function properly. There are three types of strokes:

Ischemic strokes, which are the most common type of strokes, occur when a blood clot or mass (often a fatty plaque deposit) clogs a blood vessel to the brain, cutting off blood flow.

Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a weakened blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain tissue. The blood accumulates and forms a bruise within the brain tissue, compressing brain cells and causing them to die.

Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs) are called “mini strokes” because they only last a few minutes. Like ischemic strokes, TIAs are caused by a clot in the brain. However, unlike a stroke, the blockage from a TIA is temporary and usually causes no permanent damage to the brain. However, TIAs are still medical emergencies that require immediate treatment and they are also warning signs that a more serious stroke could occur. Patients who suffer from a TIA are 10 times more likely to experience a stroke.

Approximately 80% of strokes are preventable, and small lifestyle changes can greatly reduce your risk of stroke. Some of the most common risks include:

High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke, but addressing any of the above risk factors can help you lower your chances of having a stroke.

Stroke Signs and Symptoms

Our Primary Stroke Center adheres to the American Heart and Stroke Association’s nationally-accepted guidelines and standards of excellence. We are proud to also be a recipient of its annual Gold Plus Award, and we’ve been awarded a special, disease-specific certification in stroke care from The Joint Commission.

There are many symptoms of a stroke that patients should be aware of. One way to remember the most common symptoms is to BE FAST:

The fellowship-trained, board-certified physicians at Montclair Neuroscience Institute specialize in treating a myriad of spine and brain conditions. Our doctors are trained to perform the following procedures:

Should you require post-surgical or neurological rehabilitation, our doctors will connect you with physical therapists who can help you heal and get back to living an independent, pain-free life as soon as possible.

Neck and Back Pain Treatments

There are many causes of back pain, ranging from the average “wear and tear” of aging to muscle strains, ligament sprains, bulging discs (herniations), and even poor posture. Our Neuroscience Institute provides comprehensive care for a wide range of spine, neck, and brain conditions, including:

Many times surgery is not the immediate answer, so our providers will work closely with our Comprehensive Pain Management Center to find strategies to help relieve your pain. Treatments may include physical therapy, chiropractic care, steroid injections, non-opioid medications, and other alternatives to suit your individual needs.

Should you require surgery for your neck or back pain, we offer the following procedures:

Accredited Thrombectomy Procedures

Our physicians’ expertise in performing acute stroke thrombectomy procedures has earned us disease-specific accreditation from the Joint Commission. During a thrombectomy, our surgeons remove a blood clot from the blocked artery in the brain. This helps to quickly restore blood flow and minimize a patient’s chance of brain damage.

The addition of our brand new, state-of-the-art Siemens Biplane Endovascular Suite also enables our physicians to perform minimally invasive treatments for our patients in need. We also offer 24/7 access to our intensive care unit (ICU) for critically ill patients requiring specialized care.