Slurred speech, dizziness, blurred vision, loss of consciousness. Many times we don't take the symptoms seriously, and it certainly happens that we indifferently walk past a person lying on the ground
It is good to know that fainting, severe headache, loss of consciousness or sudden numbness of one side of the body can even indicate a life-threatening brain emergency or stroke!
„Stroke is a vascular disaster causing cerebral dysfunction, which can develop due to blood supply insufficiency, i.e. blockage of the blood vessel supplying the brain, due to blood clots, or cerebral hemorrhage, i.e. intracranial bleeding due to vascular injury. Since stroke is the second most common cause of death after heart disease, it is very important to recognize what we are facing in time, and for the patient to receive the appropriate treatment as soon as possible. In the majority of cases, there are no warning signs, it appears suddenly, most often in the morning hours. However, the typical symptoms help in diagnosis, and if we are aware of them, it can even save lives," said Dr. Zsuzsanna Béla, neurologist at the Buda He alth Center.
How can we recognize a stroke?
Face, arm, speech, time, i.e. face, arm, speech, time, i.e. “fast”
We should keep this in mind in case we encounter a suspected case of stroke. The meaning of the English word "fast" and some of its letters help to recognize the symptoms and react to them in time. Let's act if
- the face becomes asymmetrical
- the patient cannot move his arms
- his speech becomes confused, from one moment to the next, speech comprehension and word formation disorders occur.
Typical symptoms also:
- Sudden numbness occurring on only one side of the face, arm or leg, which is accompanied by numbness in one part of the body. Weakness or paralysis of the limbs on one side can also be a warning sign.
- Blurring or double vision, in severe cases rapidly decreasing visual acuity.
- Extremely severe headache with neck stiffness, eye pain and facial pain.
- Dizziness or loss of consciousness.
- Vomiting, nausea.
- Consciousness disorder, appearance of memory disorder.
- Deteriorating spatial orientation and perception.
What to do if a stroke is suspected?
If the patient cannot fulfill our requests, such as to smile, stick out his tongue, or raise both hands, or if we notice the listed symptoms, do not delay, call the ambulance immediately! Rapid medical intervention increases survival and reduces the chance of permanent damage.
“Like any disease, stroke also has risk factors, such as diseases that damage blood vessels, high blood pressure, diabetes or hypothyroidism, but smoking, unhe althy diet and obesity can also be a risk. If we treat existing diseases and live a he althy life, we can do a lot to avoid stroke," the doctor added.