Brain and Spine Care

Brain, spine and neurological disorders

Minutes matter when it comes to stroke. Our award-winning stroke program includes 24/7 on-call neurologists who respond within five minutes to direct the appropriate interventions. As the most experienced stroke center in the Bakersfield area, we’ve made it our mission to drive excellent outcomes for those affected by cerebrovascular emergencies, including transient ischemic attacks (TIA or mini-stroke).

But stroke care isn’t all we do. Our talented neurosurgeons provide a wide range of brain and spine procedures for common neurological conditions.

Brain and spine conditions we treat

At Adventist Health, our team has the experience and the resources needed to treat a wide range of neurological conditions, including:

• Back and neck pain
• Brain tumors
• Concussion
• Degenerative disc disease
• Epilepsy
• Head, neck or spine injuries
• Herniated disc
• Multiple sclerosis
• Spinal stenosis
• Stroke and TIA (mini-stroke)

Stroke risk factors

Although some people are more likely to have a stroke — depending on race, age and gender — there are things everyone can do to lower the risk of having a stroke. These include:

• Refrain from smoking
• Refrain from drinking alcohol
• Control your cholesterol
• Exercise regularly
• Maintain a diet low in fat
• Keep your blood pressure low
• Follow your doctor's recommendations, especially if you have diabetes

Symptoms of a stroke

It is important to be aware of the symptoms of a stroke so you are prepared to react quickly if you or a loved one exhibits the signs.

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg (especially if only on one side of the body)
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
• Feeling lightheaded or breaking out in a sweat

Be sure to check the time when your symptoms first begin; this is a critical question you'll be asked that will affect your treatment. Remember, not all warning signs occur before every stroke. Never ignore the signs of a stroke, even if they go away.

At the first sign of stroke-like symptoms, call 911 and ask the ambulance to take you to Adventist Health Bakersfield—a Primary Stroke Center and Stroke Receiving Center.

Why choose Adventist Health Bakersfield for brain and spine care?

Your health and well-being are paramount to us. When you need medical attention for a suspected stroke or another condition that affects the brain or spine, we provide high-quality care designed to minimize the severity of the condition and get you back to normal life as quickly and completely as possible.

• Primary Stroke Center Certification: We were the first hospital in the Bakersfield area to be designated by The Joint Commission as a Stroke Receiving Center. We continue to maintain our certification by meeting rigorous quality measures.
• Innovative approach to technology and staffing: Our neurologists maintain 24/7 availability to consult via telemedicine within five minutes of receiving a call. We staff specially trained intensivists to oversee your care in our neuro ICU.
• Experienced, board-certified neurosurgeons: These doctors must demonstrate a high level of clinical expertise and knowledge of neurosurgery to achieve and maintain their certification.
• Caring and community: We express our care by taking stroke education into the community to promote the well-being of everyone who lives here. Perhaps this commitment to community wellness is why our medical center is the No. 1 consumer choice for healthcare in the Bakersfield area.
• Free parking, including valet: You can easily access our campus and park for free. Even our valet service is complimentary.