As most of you know, Hip Hop artist Nate Dogg (left) suffered a second stroke which left him paralyzed and on a ventilator.

According to TMZ.com, Dogg, real name Nathaniel Dwayne Hale is responding well to medical treatment and is only using a ventilator to make breathing easier.

A cardiovascular accident, or stroke, means a lack of blood flow to a part of the brain usually caused by a blood clot, an aneurysm that burst or trauma to the brain, causing brain cells to die.

In most cases, the symptoms affect one side of the body depending on what side of the brain the stroke occurred.

Symptoms include:

  • Headache, vomiting, loss of consciousness (aneurysm or bleeding in the brain)
  • Drooping on one side of the face or droopy eyelid
  • Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
  • Temporary or persistent loss of vision
  • Numbness or tingling in hands or feet or on one side of the body
  • Reduction in sensory perception such as altered taste or smell
  • Losing your balance slightly and you’re not sure why
  • Trouble walking
  • Altered breathing, rapid heart rate
  • Vertigo or dizziness
  • Disorganized thinking, confusion, hypersexual gestures

If you experience any of the above symptoms, see your personal care physician or go to an emergency room immediately!

I have a female friend who, in her late twenties, began experiencing TIAs (transient ischemic attacks) which are sometimes referred to as mini strokes. She’s now in her early 40s and walks with a cane.

TIAs differ from strokes because the symptoms resolve on their own in less than 24 hours and TIAs don’t result in death of brain cells. But multiple TIAs can cause neurological problems such as difficulty walking.

Some people, like my friend, are prone to strokes because they have a history of high blood pressure or any other risk factor which includes: cigarette smoking, weed smoking, Diabetes, previous strokes or cardiac problems.

Patients who have a history of cardiac problems or high blood pressure are sometimes prescribed baby Aspirin daily to keep their blood thin to reduce the risk of clot formation.

This has been your Medical Minute.