Stroke Symptoms You Must Know About

by Akash Sharma Akash Sharma

A person suffers from a stroke when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted. If oxygen-rich blood is unable to reach the brain, brain cells start to die, and irreversible and permanent damage can occur.

There are two kinds of brain stroke - haemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke. Haemorrhagic stroke is when a weak blood vessel ruptures and the brain experiences bleeding. In an ischemic stroke, blood flow to the brain is blocked by a blood clot.

This brain attack is one of the leading causes of disability and the second leading cause of fatalities in India. (Dr. Jeyaraj Pandian, president, Indian Stroke Association). People who survive a stroke can recover with rehabilitation such as speech, occupational or physical therapy. The duration of blood flow interruption and the severity of the stroke determine if the disability will be permanent or temporary.

It is essential to recognise the signs of a stroke and seek immediate medical attention. This improves your chances of recovery and avoiding grave brain damage.

Symptoms of Stroke

If any of these symptoms appear, call for help immediately:

Abrupt weakness or numbness in the face, leg, or arm- particularly only one side of the body. Look in the mirror and smile. If one side of the face droops, it is an indicator. If the stroke is too severe, it can paralyze the body.
Sudden confusion or issue in speaking or comprehending things - For example, if someone is typing on the computer or conversing with someone, they may suddenly have trouble doing what they were doing – thinking, speaking, or understanding
Vision trouble or inability to see with a singly eye or both eyes: The person having stroke may instantly have blurry vision or may not be able to see properly.
Inability to walk, dizziness, and imbalance: This happens due to weakness on one side. There will be difficulty in coordination, and one may feel dizziness.
Excruciating headache with no known reason: This may be difficult to identify if the person has a history of migraines.

This person could also be you, so follow the same checklist if you feel any of the above symptoms. The sooner you act on these symptoms, the lesser will be the damage caused. Acting on time is of paramount importance when one is having a stroke.

If you are based out of Ahmedabad, Marengo CIMS is one of the best multi-speciality hospitals in Ahmedabad and the country. They have some of the best neurologists in Ahmedabad and India. The sooner you recognize that a person is having a stroke or you yourself go through any of these symptoms, reach out for help. Timely action is critical as early intervention can reduce the blood flow disruption to the brain.

Act F.A.S.T if you suspect that someone is having a stroke.

F - Face: Ask the person to smile and notice if one side of the face droops when they do.

A- Arms: Ask the person to lift both their arms; can they raise them? If one drifts downward, it is a sign.

S - Speech: Request the person to say a simple phrase aloud or simply repeat it after you. Notice if the speech appears strange and slurred.

T- Time: Act right away if you notice any of the above signs.

The best neurologists in Ahmedabad as well as the world over, believe that one should be under medical supervision within the first three hours of experiencing the symptom.