Stroke Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

A stroke is a medical emergency. The longer a stroke goes untreated, the more damage the brain endures. Knowing the signs of a stroke is essential for getting treatment as soon as possible.

Chances are you know someone or have heard of someone who has suffered from a stroke. These medical emergencies are the leading cause of disability in the United States and ranked fifth for cause of death in U.S. citizens.

What Makes Strokes Dangerous?

A stroke can happen to anyone at any time. Those who are most at risk are babies under one and older adults. Others who are at a higher risk of stroke include:

• Those with high blood pressure
• Those struggling with obesity
• People who are physically inactive
• Those with poor diets
• Smokers
• People with a family history of strokes

The most common stroke is an Ischemic Stroke, which occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or reduced. This prevents brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. Without the needed oxygen and nutrients, brain cells begin to die in minutes.

The second most common type of stroke is a Hemorrhagic Stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or bursts and causes bleeding within the brain. The internal bleeding adds immense pressure on brain cells and damages them.

In both types of strokes, time is your enemy. The more time that passes, the more damage is done to the brain. It is crucial to get treatment right away for someone who is suffering from a stroke to limit the amount of brain damage and reduce the risk for further complications.

Symptoms

There are multiple symptoms for when someone is having a stroke. A clever way to remember the key symptoms is to think F.A.S.T:

• Face drooping
• Arm weakness
• Speech difficulty
• Time to call 911

Other symptoms of a stroke could include:

• Sudden numbness
• Sudden confusion
• Sudden trouble seeing
• Sudden trouble walking
• Sudden severe headache

It is crucial that you do NOT wait to see if symptoms stop or resolve themselves. If you are suspicious that someone around you is having signs of a stroke, immediately call 911.

Prevention

Strokes can happen to anyone at any time. If you or someone you know is at high risk of having a stroke due to age, family history, or lifestyle choices, it is recommended that you regularly visit your neurologist to get brain scans that look for any abnormalities in your brain. Other methods that work towards preventing a stroke include:

• Managing high blood pressure
• Controlling cholesterol
• Reducing blood sugar
• Staying active
• Eating better
• Losing weight
• Stopping smoking
• Taking all medications as prescribed

There is no treatment for damage done to the brain from a stroke. That is why it is important that you do not wait if you, or someone around you, are having symptoms of a stroke. Remember to think F.A.S.T because a stroke is a medical emergency.

Sources: Dr. Zara Fatima, American Stroke Association, nih.gov, mayoclinic.org