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Stroke related to cocaine use

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Symptoms:

See Stroke .

Symptoms indicating cocaine use may include nosebleeds , headache, fatigue , inability to sleep , anxiety , depression , chronic hoarseness , and restlessness .

Signs and tests:

A medical history of symptoms and history of cocaine use, if known, are important in the diagnosis by the health care provider.

An examination may include neurologic, motor, and sensory testing. Examination may show changes in vision or visual fields , changes in reflexes including abnormal reflexes or abnormal extent of "normal" reflexes, abnormal eye movements, muscle weakness , decreased sensation , and other changes.

Signs of other disorders associated with the use of cocaine may be present.

Urine or blood toxicology screen may be positive, confirming cocaine use.

References:

Egred M, Davis GK. Cocaine and the heart. Postgrad Med J . 2005 Sep;81(959):568-71. Review.

Velasquez EM, Anand RC, Newman WP 3rd, Richard SS, Glancy DL. Cardiovascular complications associated with cocaine use. J La State Med Soc . 2004 Nov-Dec;156(6):302-10; quiz 311. Review.

Lucas CE. The impact of street drugs on trauma care. J Trauma. 2005 Sep;59(3 Suppl):S57-60; discussion S67-75.

• Review Date: 4/28/2006
• Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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