Know the Symptoms of Stroke to Save Your Life
Stroke is one of the common causes of death. It strikes thousands of
people every year. Often, stroke can happen anytime. People would often
say, I didnt know I was having a stroke. or I didnt know he was
having a stroke. Sadly, people do not know the symptoms of stroke. So,
even if it is actually happening, they cannot recognize the stroke symptoms. Often, this results to paralysis or death.
What is a Stroke?
Generally, stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and
floods the brain area with blood. This causes to moderate to severe
damage to that area. Having a stroke is devastating. It could leave
people with damaged hearing or slurred speech. Some people become
paralyzed and there are some who dies from it. It is very important,
therefore, that you know how to recognize the symptoms of even a mild stroke in order to reduce the risks of complications. You will be able to act quickly once you recognize that you are having a stroke or a loved one is having one.
What are the Common Signs and Symptoms of Stroke?
Knowing the signs of an impending stroke would help you get prompt
treatment. The symptoms are sudden; and often, there is more than one
symptom. These stroke symptoms include:
a. Sudden weakness, paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or leg. Typically, this occurs only in one side of the body.
b. Sudden vision problems like blurred, decreased or double vision.
c. Sudden severe migraine-like headaches. This may be accompanied by
stiff neck, pain between the eyes, altered consciousness, facial pain
or vomiting.
d. Sudden dizziness or loss of balance and coordination.
e. Severe confusion. This may include memory problems, perceptual disorientation and problems with spatial orientation.
f. Transient Ischemic Attack. This happens when there is an
interruption of the flow of the blood in the brain. TIA is a symptom if
there is a risk the stroke would develop into a full-blown one.
When
stroke occurs, it is extremely important that the person experiencing
the stroke symptoms seek immediate medical intervention. They cannot be
shrugged away or ignored. It could cost you your life if you would
ignore them.
Am I having a Stroke?
If you do not
know if you are or someone else is experiencing stroke symptoms, you
should try the FAST test. Here are the steps on doing the FAST test:
a. Face. Ask the person experiencing the symptoms to smile. If one side
of his face droops or drops, he could be experiencing a symptom.
b. Arms. Ask the person to raise their arms. If he has difficulty
raising his arm upright and the arm tends to drop, this is a sign that
this might be a stroke symptom.
c. Speech. Ask the person to
repeat a sentence. If he has difficulty speaking and pronouncing the
words clearly, he might be suffering from stroke.
d. Time. Call
for medical help immediately. The minute the person exhibits any of the
stroke symptoms, it is very important that you immediately call for
help. A few minutes could mean his life.