Born David Atkins, better known as “Sinbad” the comedian made many of us laugh our butts off back in the early 90’s. With stand up comedy specials, movies and his recurring role on “A Different World” as the funny counselor Walter, it was always good to see Sinbad perform. As time went on, the family man had troubles with his finances, but is now back on tour, even doing shows internationally. Well, that is until his back started bothering him and his doctor suggested back surgery.
After undergoing surgery in 2015, many were nervous to the outcome. But on his birthday that year, in the hospital, the comedian was in good spirits.
“Made my first walk up and down the stairs post back surgery. Happy birthday to me,” tweeted Sinbad from his hospital bed.
Sinbad’s Stroke
In addition to his surgery, Sinbad also underwent a stroke just last year!
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“Sinbad is a light source of love and joy for many generations,” the comedian’s family said after the 65-year-old comedian suffered his stroke. “While he is beginning his road to recovery, we are faithful and optimistic that he will bring laughter into our hearts soon.”
According to the CDC, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in men, killing almost the same number of men each year as prostate cancer and Alzheimer’s disease combined. Stroke is also a leading cause of long-term disability, and men under age 44 are hospitalized for ischemic stroke at a higher rate than women in the same age group.
These facts are alarming, but there is good news: About 4 in 5 strokes are preventable. That’s why it’s important to know your risk for stroke and take action to reduce the risk.
What Strokes do the Body
A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, happens when blood flow to an area of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. When brain cells are starved of oxygen, they die.
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Stroke Risks for Men
One of the main factors that put men at a higher risk for a stroke:
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a major risk factor for stroke.
Sinbad’s Spinal Surgery
After undergoing a 10-hour spinal fusion surgery Sinbad was in good spirits and telling jokes and making the clinical staff laugh.
Spinal fusion is major surgery, usually lasting several hours. Lumbar spinal fusion surgery to joins, or fuses, two or more vertebrae in the low back.
Bone is taken from the pelvic bone or from a bone bank. The bone is used to make a bridge between vertebrae that are next to each other. This bone graft helps new bone grow.
Metal implants are usually used to hold the vertebrae together until new bone grows between them.
Spinal fusion may be done by itself or along with surgery to remove bone and tissue that are narrowing the spinal canal and squeezing the spinal cord and/or the spinal nerves. It may be done as a follow-up after surgery that was done to treat problems such as spinal stenosis, herniated discs , injuries, infection, and tumors.
Spinal fusion was first used to treat fractures or other problems. It is now also used to treat age-related spinal problems and spinal stenosis, which is Sinbad’s case.
“Surgery was good last night,” he captioned a photo from his hospital bed Wednesday. “Double fusion for…
