Ray Rhodes is the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, and he’s a former NFL head coach. He knows what it’s like to put in 24 hour days at work and feel the pressure of a big league commitment. The problem is that Ray has experienced signs of having a stroke, and that is limiting the amount and type of work he’s doing.
Ray is taking it easier, watching the games from home and allowing his assistants to play a more active role. Strokes are a serious problem and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
What is a stroke? A stroke occurs when the brain cannot get enough blood. Most of the time the lack of blood is localized, so a specific part of the brain is affected.
What are the types of stokes? There are two types: blocked and burst. The blocked type of stoke is the most common and it’s called a ischemic stroke. The burst stroke is rare and is called hemorrhagic. When blocked the blood flow is constrained, when burst the blood flow is interrupted.
What causes a stroke? Usually it’s a buildup of fatty deposits in the vessels supplying blood to the brain. It can also be caused by other conditions such as high blood pressure, head injury or diabetes.
How do you know if you’re having a stroke?
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Vision problems
- Confusion
- Trouble swallowing
- Issues walking
- Dizziness
- Headache
How do you treat a stroke? If it is a blocked stroke the patient is started on anticoagulant medicine to thin the blood, and a clot busting procedure may be called for. For a burst stroke surgery is called for in some cases.
How do you recover from a stroke? Over three quarters of the people who suffer a stroke will be disabled in some fashion. Recovery will depend on what disability they have and the most appropriate course of action.