Stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or bleeding (Hemorrhagic). In both cases, the sufferers experience severe damage to the brain and even die.
Stroke is the number five cause of death in the United States. It can be prevented with exercise, reduced salt intake and healthy weight management. Stroke may occur in everyone at any time.
It may kill a person, and if that doesn’t happen, sufferers experience serious physical and mental damage, including paralysis, impaired thinking and understanding others, and blindness. The signs of stroke are often neglected which is why people often misinterpret them.
6 common signs of stroke
The human body is actually a balance of water, chemicals and hormones. Any disruption causes sudden onset of fatigue and other symptoms. The hormone regulating system (endocrine system) is regulated by the brain, and in cases of stroke, the brain is damaged by the lack or loss of blood in the affected area.
Once this happens, the person experiences sudden and severe fatigue and energy loss. It happens without warning, and there’s no logical explanation. If you often feel exhausted and lethargic without any special reason, consult your doctor, to prevent stroke or any other health problem.
- Vision issues in one eye
The brain is divided in two parts, and each controls the opposite side of the body. When an individual has a stroke, it causes problems in one eye. Both eyes are normally focused on the same spot, so if one of the eyes is off due to stroke, it will cause double vision because the eyes can’t work together.
Some dismiss this and believe they are tired after reading too much or watching too much TV. Sometimes this happens when you work on the computer for too long. The change in vision in just one eye is a sign of stroke and other health problems. Consult your doctor as soon as possible.
- Numbness and weakness n one arm
Same as your vision, stroke affects just one side of the body, depending on the blockage in your brain. Sudden weakness and numbness in one limb that stays for several minutes indicates stroke. Don’t worry if this happens after you wake up from a nap. But, be careful if the numbness doesn’t go away for several minutes, you may be dealing with stroke.
- Slurred speech and dizziness
When stroke affects one side of the brain, it interferes with a person’s balance or speech. This is usually dismissed, especially if the individual has been drinking. But, if it’s happening for more than an hour, you may be dealing with something serious. Check if one side of your mouth drops or if you can’t speak fluently.
This may indicate that there’s a lack of blood to the cranial nerves responsible for the facial muscles. The same applies to the speech center in your brain. The inner ear regulates balance. The loss of blood in the part of the brain that interprets these signals can cause dizziness and vertigo. If you don’t have vertigo and notice sudden dizziness or difficulty speaking, consult your doctor immediately.
- Difficulty thinking
In cases of stroke, the brain is starved of oxygen and makes it hard for you to focus or think straight. If you can’t express yourself or can’t find the right words to say what you want, you may be having a stroke at the moment. The same applies to those who can’t understand what other people are telling them.
- Severe headache or migraine
When the stroke is caused by a blockage, sufferers don’t feel anything. But, if there’s a bleeding in the brain, sufferers may experience sudden migraine. Any splitting headache or migraine may be a sign of stroke. Of course, this applies to those who have never had a history of migraine. Ask for medical assistance.
The American Stroke Association determines the severity of the problem using the acronym FAST.
FAST stands for Face Drooping, Arm Numb, Speech Difficulty, Time to Call 911. If an individual has any of the symptoms, they’re advised to seek medical help. It’s a matter of seconds. Waiting for too long may be fatal in some cases. It may cause long-term brain damage, speech impairment, paralysis and vision issues.
Source: Power Of Positivity