Stroke Signs and Symptoms

A stroke is a life-threatening condition that should prompt you to seek emergency medical care. The sooner medical care is given, the better the chances of reducing brain damage, disability, and other complications. According to the CDC, stroke is a leading cause of death in the US. Thanks to improved Innovations in the medical industry, fewer individuals die of stroke than in the past.

A stroke happens when there’s a blockage in the artery that prevents oxygen and blood from reaching the brain’s tissue. Without enough oxygen, the brain tissues and cells get damaged and die very quickly. A stroke can happen due to three main reasons:

• Ischemic stroke. It happens when a blood clot or plaque in the artery prevents blood and oxygen flow. The symptoms can last longer and even become permanent.
• Transient ischemic attack. It’s caused by a blood clot that usually reverses on its own.
• Hemorrhage stroke. It’s caused by a burst or leaking blood vessel that seeps into the brain.

Signs and Symptoms of Stroke

Understanding the signs or symptoms of stroke can help you take quick action and save a life. Generally, the symptoms of a stroke are experienced in the body parts controlled by the damaged areas of the brain. Common symptoms of stroke to watch out for include:

• Trouble speaking and understanding speech. Since specific brain cells are damaged, a stroke patient may experience confusion, slur words, or difficulty understanding what others say.
• Numbness, weakness, or paralysis of the face, legs, or arms. A stroke commonly causes a sudden numbness or weakness in the arms, face, and leg. You might experience dizziness, loss of balance, and trouble walking. One side of the mouth or face may droop when smiling. Paralysis is commonly encountered on one side of the body.
• Sudden trouble seeing. You might have a stroke if your vision suddenly gets blurry, double, or blackened in one or both eyes.
• Unexplainable severe headaches could mean you’re having a stroke. The headache can be accompanied by dizziness, seizures, altered consciousness, and vomiting.

Call 911 or contact our emergency room in Cypress, TX, if you or someone close to you have these signs. Quick treatment improves outcomes and reduces the risk of permanent brain damage, long-term disability, and death. The treatment is more effective if a stroke is diagnosed and treated within 3 hours after the first symptoms.

Acts F. A. S. T to identify Stroke

If you’re not certain whether you or someone else is having a stroke, you can try the following tests:

• F – Face. Ask the person to smile. If one side of the mouth or face droops, they might be having a stroke.
• A-Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms over the head. If one arm comes down, they might be having a stroke.
• S-Speech. Ask the person to say a simple name or phrase. If their speech is strange or slurred, they might be having a stroke.
• T-Time. If the signs above indicate they have a stroke, call 911 or an ER near you immediately. Be sure to note the specific time the first symptom appears. It will help the doctor to know how best to treat the condition.

If you have a transient ischemic attack that resolves within a few minutes, seek the closest immediate care. Seeking treatment early can help prevent severe complications and even save your life.

Preventing Stroke

The best treatment or action for a stroke is to prevent one. Below are essential steps to minimize your risk of having a stroke:

• Eat healthier food options like vegetables, beans, seafood, and nuts.
• Exercise regularly.
• Limit the intake of fats, sodium, sugars, and refined grains.
• Take alcohol in moderation.
• Limit or avoid tobacco use.
• Take prescribed medication as directed.

Certain factors can increase the possibility of having a stroke. These include:

• Being obese or overweight
• Physical inactivity
• Heavy alcohol consumption
• Use of illegal substances like cocaine and methamphetamine
• Tobacco use
• Having underlying health issues like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiovascular diseases, COVID-19 infection, and a family history of stroke or heart attack

Get In Touch With Us Now

Do you or someone else have symptoms of a stroke? Contact Fairfield Emergency Room for emergency care near you.