Dial 9-1-1 for stroke.

“Most people ignore stroke symptoms or wait to get treatment, which can lead to life altering problems and a greater likelihood of having a second stroke or even death,” said Ciro Randazzo, MD, MPH, neurovascular surgeon, AtlantiCare Neurosciences Institute at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (ARMC) Atlantic City Campus. “Dial 9-1-1 so paramedics can start treatment before you get to the hospital.”

Stroke symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion or trouble understanding; trouble speaking; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking; dizziness; loss of balance or coordination; and/or sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

From 2006 to 2009, the Harrah’s Regional Trauma Center at ARMC Atlantic City Campus cared for 109 traumatic water and beachrelated injuries. Thirty one of these injuries were caused by body surfing. Boogie board, boat and watercraft accidents follow.

“Body surf safely to avoid injuring your spine,” said Alexander Axelrad, MD, medical director, ARMC Trauma Services. “Powerful waves can cause neck injuries, paralysis or even death. Avoid big or rough waves and waves breaking into shallow water. Keep your arms over your head to protect it from hitting the ocean floor. Ride the surf at an angle to waves. Only body surf with a partner and in lifeguard-protected waters.”

Whether a patient needs an elective spine surgery to relieve chronic pain or a complex emergency procedure to repair a life-threatening traumatic spine injury, the experienced teams at the Harrah’s Regional Trauma Center at ARMC Atlantic City Campus and the AtlantiCare Neurosciences Institute provide advanced, quality care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, visit www.atlanticare.org or call the AtlantiCare Access Center at 1- 888-569-1000. – Advertorial