A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is reduced or stopped, causing brain cells to die. It is the third leading cause of death in the US, with 80% of strokes caused by a blocked artery. Knowing the signs of a stroke is crucial for quick medical treatment and recovery.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is reduced or stopped. The lack of oxygen flowing to the brain creates an immediate and potentially life-threatening situation, as brain cells begin to die minutes after blood flow is reduced. It has been estimated that there are 600,000 reported cases of stroke in the United States and it is the third leading cause of death. Even when a stroke doesn’t lead to death, its effects include paralysis, problems speaking, and loss of motor skills and coordination.
There are two main causes of a stroke. The former occurs when an artery in the brain is blocked or blocked. This is known as an ischemic stroke and is the cause of 80% of all strokes. An ischemic stroke can often be treated with a drug that can loosen blood clots blocking the artery. However, medical treatment must occur within three hours after the start of the stroke, and only XNUMX to XNUMX percent of patients reach the hospital in time to be eligible for this drug treatment. Therefore, it is very important for people to know the signs of a stroke so that they can act as soon as possible.
The second cause of a stroke is a ruptured artery that ruptures and leaks blood into the brain. This is known as a hemorrhagic stroke and occurs in about 20% of all stroke cases. As with an ischemic stroke, someone suffering a hemorrhagic stroke requires immediate medical attention.
Because a stroke affects the brain, the person experiencing a stroke may not be aware it is happening. A stroke victim’s best chance may be that people around the victim know the signs of a stroke. Once the signs of a stroke are identified and recognized, medical treatment can begin. The symptoms of a stroke usually appear suddenly and quickly.
If you observe any of the following signs of a stroke, see a doctor right away.
• Numbness, weakness on the side of the face, arm or leg, especially when it affects one side of the body.
• Difficulty walking, nausea, dizziness or lack of coordination, motor skills and/or balance.
• Slurred speech and/or difficulty speaking.
• Sudden severe headache.
• Sudden confusion and/or difficulty understanding.
• Blurred, double vision and/or loss of vision.
While a stroke generally occurs without warning, a possible sign of an impending stroke is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA). During a TIA, a person experiences the same symptoms and signs as a stroke, but the symptoms generally last for a shorter duration. Although the signs of a TIA may disappear within minutes to a few hours, it is very important for the person suffering from a TIA to see a doctor right away as it could indicate an increased risk of stroke.
It cannot be stressed enough that if you observe any of the symptoms and signs of a stroke, you should call for medical help right away. Survival and successful recovery from a stroke depend on how quickly the victim receives medical attention.
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