MADISON – Brenda Styles with Huntsville Hospital will present “How to Maintain Your Brain,” the next installment of “Health Matters” at Madison Public Library.

Brenda Styles with Huntsville Hospital will present “How to Maintain Your Brain” on Nov. 21 at noon at Madison Public Library. (CONTRIBUTED)

Styles’ session on Nov. 21 at noon will explore stroke types, symptoms, treatment and recovery. The public is welcome at this free event.

As a clinical nurse specialist at Madison Hospital, Styles is involved with teaching, consulting, research, management and systems improvement. A registered nurse, she earned a master’s degree in nursing and other credentials.

When a stroke occurs, blood flow suddenly is interrupted to part of the brain, due to a clogged or ruptured artery, Styles said. Due to lack of blood flow, the brain is deprived of critical oxygen and nutrients.

A stroke victim may have weakness in an arm, leg or both; speech difficulties; visual changes; and altered mental status, Styles said.

To identify a stroke, Styles advises to watch for weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, usually on one side. Also, sudden onset of confusion, slurred speech, blurred vision in one or both eyes, dizziness or severe headache may be warning signs. Reducing the time between stroke symptoms and actual treatment is critical.

“Huntsville Hospital is the only primary stroke center in Madison County and has a designated stroke team available 24/7 for urgent care of stroke patients,” Styles said. Huntsville Hospital offers stroke education and cholesterol screenings at events like the Senior Expo and Alabama A&M University Health Fair.

The hospital observes May as Stroke Awareness Month.

Styles has worked as an ICU nurse for 11 years and managed the Neuro Spine / Neurosurgery Unit for seven years. “I’ve had the privilege to care for and manage multiple patients with the diagnosis of stroke,” she said. “I consider it an honor to share information with the community about this subject.”

For session information, call Teresa Allison at Madison Public Library at 256-461-0046. For information about strokes, call 256-265-5386 or visit huntsvillehospital.org or strokeassociation.org.