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Dr. Elham Azizi, MD is a neurologist in Evanston, IL specializing in neurology (brain & spinal cord disease). She graduated from Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Dr. Elham Azizi, MD is affiliated with Swedish Hospital, Northwest Community Healthcare and NORTH SHORE UNIVERSITY HEALTHSYSTEM FACULTY PRACTICE ASSOCIATES.
1000 Central Street Suite 880
Evanston, IL 60201
5115 N. Francisco Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
5841 S Maryland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637
9650 Gross Point Road Suite 3900
Skokie, IL 60076
Stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blood vessel supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is ruptured or blocked. The brain cannot function without a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, so when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, even for a brief moment, brain cells begin to die. When a sufficient number of brain cells die, the brain itself can no longer function, meaning that strokes are very dangerous. Strokes can result in impaired movement, speech, cognitive ability, the impairment of important physical functions, and even death.
Anyone can have a stroke, regardless of age and health. Strokes are known to happen at random. However, certain conditions and behaviors can increase one's risk of stroke over time.
Risk factors for stroke include:
There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs more commonly and is when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked. Blockages are caused by blood clots and built-up plaque (deposits of fat and cholesterol), which leads to atherosclerosis, a condition where the blood vessels narrow and harden. The resultant restricted blood flow may lead to an ischemic stroke by blocking essential oxygen to the brain, causing the heart to exert more effort to pump blood.
Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in or around the brain ruptures. The burst vessel leaks blood into surrounding brain tissue, causing irreparable brain damage.
Hemorrhagic strokes are less common and may occur from head injuries, brain aneurysms, brain tumors, and bleeding disorders, amongst other conditions.
Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes require immediate medical treatment. Medical intervention can prevent severe and life-threatening brain damage. Signs of stroke include:
-Disorientation or confusion
-Difficulty speaking
-Difficulty walking
-Impaired vision
-Weakness in the face, legs, or arms
-Severe headaches
When someone suspected of having a stroke reaches the hospital, the patient will usually receive a CT or other scan that provides an image of the brain. The scan results can reveal clotted or leaking blood in the brain. Physical exams, neurological exams, and blood tests may also be used to check for blood clotting and sugar. Treatment begins generally immediately if a stroke is detected.
Medical treatment for ischemic strokes includes a thrombolytic medicine which breaks up and disperses blood clots. This medicine can greatly improve stroke recovery and long-term health. However, the thrombolytic medicine must be administered as soon as possible to achieve these results. Other treatments for ischemic strokes are blood thinners and thrombectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a blood clot in the brain. Thrombectomy is performed by inserting a catheter (thin needle) into the artery to reach the blood clot and mechanically remove it. With the clot removed, normal blood flow to the brain resumes. Thrombectomy is typically performed at most six hours after a patient shows signs of a stroke.
Hemorrhagic strokes are treated with blood-saving medication and surgery. For a hemorrhagic stroke caused by the rupture of an aneurysm (blood vessel bulges), surgery to stem the bleeding aneurysm and vessel may be used. One surgical technique is stent-assisted coiling, which adds a stent (small wire-meshed tube) into the blood vessel to block the leaking opening of the aneurysm. A non-surgical procedure is endovascular coiling, where a catheter (thin, hollow needle) places a platinum wire coil at the spot of the aneurysm. The coil blocks bleeding and prevents the aneurysm from continuing to leak blood. These procedures are usually combined with blood-thickening medications. Blood transfusions may be administered if substantial blood loss has occurred.
Since stroke patients may have lost some essential functions while the blood flow to their brains was obstructed, both ischemic stroke and hemorrhage stroke patients may receive post-stroke rehabilitation to rebuild their physical and mental abilities. Some restorative treatments include occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Patients may also receive care from neurologists, who can assist patients in recovering certain brain functions and cognitive abilities, and rehabilitation psychologists, who may help patients with their emotional, behavioral, and cognitive recovery. Some stroke patients require lengthy rehabilitation and may never fully regain function, while others may recover more quickly. While the fastest recovery improvements are usually seen in the first three or four months, stroke rehabilitation can last for years.
If someone begins to show signs of stroke, contact emergency services and call 9-1-1 immediately since blood flow must be restored as soon as possible to help avoid significant brain damage. If an ambulance takes the person to the hospital, paramedics can initiate stroke treatment as soon as the patient enters the ambulance, allowing for more prompt medical intervention and care.
Dr. Elham Azizi, MD graduated from Tehran University of Medical Sciences. She completed residency at Ochsner Medical Center. She is certified by the Board Certification: Neurology and has a state license in Illinois.
Medical School: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Residency: Ochsner Medical Center
Board Certification: Board Certification: Neurology
Licensed In: Illinois
Dr. Elham Azizi, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Elham Azizi, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: HealthSpring, Humana Medicare Advantage PPO, Medicare Advantage, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Community Care Network (CCN), United Healthcare, Aetna, Medicaid, Humana, Humana National HMO, Coventry, Cigna, Humana National EPO, Blue Choice PPO, AARP, Humana HMO Premier, HFN EPO, Humana National POS - Open Access, HFN PPO, First Health, HFN, First Health PPO, CoventryOne PPO, Oxford Plan - Freedom with Choice Plus, NorthShore Employee Tier 1 (NS University Health Systems), UnitedHealth One, Surest (formerly Bind Benefits), BCBS MMAI, Oxford Plan - Liberty with Choice Plus, Blue High Performance Network (Blue HPN) and HumanaPPO.
According to our sources, Dr. Elham Azizi, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
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These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Elham Azizi, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.
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$20
LINQ II $20 |
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Dr. Elham Azizi is a neurology (brain & spinal cord disease) specialist. She has indicated that her clinical interests include transient ischemic attack (TIA), subarachnoid hemorrhage, and stroke. Dr. Azizi studied medicine at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Her medical residency was performed at Ochsner Medical Center. Dr. Azizi is professionally affiliated with Swedish Hospital and Northwest Community Hospital (NCH). Swedish Hospital reports that she is accepting new patients at her office in Evanston, IL.
