Born in New York and raised in New Jersey, Richard Zweifler, MD, Neurology Co-System Chair at Ochsner Health, attended college at the University of Pennsylvania before attending Tulane University School of Medicine. Through a one-year internal medicine internship at Ochsner, Dr. Zweifler was introduced to New Orleans and created a connection that ultimately brought him back to the city in 2014.
“I was recruited back to Ochsner by Dr. Ken Gaines, the former Chair of Neurology, and Dr. Jim Milburn, an Ochsner neuroradiologist,” says Dr. Zweifler. “Dr. Milburn and I actually met on our very first day as physicians in 1990 and have remained close colleagues ever since. The opportunity to return to Ochsner allowed me to come back to a city I love and contribute to the growth of an outstanding neuroscience program.”
With May being National Stroke Awareness Month, Dr. Zweifler hopes that everyone in the Greater New Orleans area understands the signs that might indicate a person might be experiencing the condition. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain “clogs” up, depriving brain tissue of blood and the nutrients it needs. While a stroke can happen at any age, with a quarter of them occurring in people younger than 65, and as many as 10% of stroke patients are younger than 45, several factors, like blood pressure, limitation of alcohol use, and management of cholesterol levels, can be key factors in diminishing the chances of you or a loved one suffering a stroke.
“Neurologists diagnose and treat disorders of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. Most people are affected by neurological disease at some point in their lives, either personally or through a loved one,” says Dr. Zweifler. “These conditions may present suddenly, as with stroke, or develop slowly over time, such as dementia. As the population ages, neurological diseases are becoming increasingly common, as age is a significant risk factor for many of these conditions.
While relatively few entirely new neurological diseases have emerged, the field has advanced dramatically. Specialists like Dr. Zweifler are now far better at diagnosing these conditions and have many more treatment options than in the past. It is never too early to seek evaluation for neurological symptoms. In many cases, earlier diagnosis and treatment lead to better outcomes, particularly when symptoms are still mild.
“When I completed my training, there were no effective treatments for stroke, multiple sclerosis, or dementia,” said Dr. Zweifler. “Today, we have proven therapies for all three, with new and improved options emerging every year. The pace of progress in neurology has been remarkable, and it is exciting to imagine what the next 10 to 20 years will bring.”
BE FAST is a helpful acronym to remember when getting help for someone experiencing a stroke, because every second counts. Balance: Is the person unable to maintain proper balance? Eyes: Is the person’s vision affected? Face: Does one side of the face droop or feel numb? Arms: Is one arm weak or numb? Speech: Is speech slurred? Time: If a person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and get them to a hospital immediately.
Know the signs and understand your risk. Visit ochsner.org/strokeHRA.
Comfort Movie: Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Dogs or Cats: Dogs
Childhood Nickname: “Z”
ochsner.org/strokehra | New Orleans
