Rochelle Community Hospital has been designated as an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital (ASRH) by the Illinois Department of Public Health. This designation assures that all stroke patients have access to rapid care.
During a stroke, each second a patient waits to be treated denies the brain of blood and oxygen. The cells and tissues within the brain begin to die, possibly causing irreversible damage.
If you are alone and you believe you are having a stroke, CALL 9-1-1! Do not try to drive yourself to RCH or another facility farther away. Members of the community can rest assured that they will receive the highest quality treatment locally.
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion or difficulty speaking and understanding
- Sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden and severe headache with no prior cause
A stroke occurs when blood flow is cut off from an area in the brain. This causes the brain cells to die due to becoming deprived of needed oxygen and glucose. This can result in permanent brain damage or even death.
Considering that up to 50% of all stokes are preventable, it is important to understand what you can do to reduce your risk of stroke. Ask yourself if you are doing the following:
• Maintaining low blood pressure
• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining a low fat, low-cholesterol diet
• Sustaining a healthy body weight
• Managing diabetes
• Drinking alcohol in moderation (or not at all)
• Quit smoking