Know the Symptoms of Stroke to Save Your Life

Stroke is one of the common causes of death. It strikes thousands of people every year. Often, stroke can happen anytime. People would often say, "I didn't know I was having a stroke." or "I didn't know he was having a stroke." Sadly, people do not know the symptoms of stroke. So, even if it is actually happening, they cannot recognize the stroke symptoms. Often, this results to paralysis or death.

What is a Stroke?
Generally, stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and floods the brain area with blood. This causes to moderate to severe damage to that area. Having a stroke is devastating. It could leave people with damaged hearing or slurred speech. Some people become paralyzed and there are some who dies from it. It is very important, therefore, that you know how to recognize the symptoms of even a mild stroke in order to reduce the risks of complications. You will be able to act quickly once you recognize that you are having a stroke or a loved one is having one.

What are the Common Signs and Symptoms of Stroke?
Knowing the signs of an impending stroke would help you get prompt treatment. The symptoms are sudden; and often, there is more than one symptom. These stroke symptoms include:

a. Sudden weakness, paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or leg. Typically, this occurs only in one side of the body.

b. Sudden vision problems like blurred, decreased or double vision.

c. Sudden severe migraine-like headaches. This may be accompanied by stiff neck, pain between the eyes, altered consciousness, facial pain or vomiting.

d. Sudden dizziness or loss of balance and coordination.

e. Severe confusion. This may include memory problems, perceptual disorientation and problems with spatial orientation.

f. Transient Ischemic Attack. This happens when there is an interruption of the flow of the blood in the brain. TIA is a symptom if there is a risk the stroke would develop into a full-blown one.

When stroke occurs, it is extremely important that the person experiencing the stroke symptoms seek immediate medical intervention. They cannot be shrugged away or ignored. It could cost you your life if you would ignore them.

"Am I having a Stroke?"
If you do not know if you are or someone else is experiencing stroke symptoms, you should try the FAST test. Here are the steps on doing the FAST test:

a. Face. Ask the person experiencing the symptoms to smile. If one side of his face droops or drops, he could be experiencing a symptom.

b. Arms. Ask the person to raise their arms. If he has difficulty raising his arm upright and the arm tends to drop, this is a sign that this might be a stroke symptom.

c. Speech. Ask the person to repeat a sentence. If he has difficulty speaking and pronouncing the words clearly, he might be suffering from stroke.

d. Time. Call for medical help immediately. The minute the person exhibits any of the stroke symptoms, it is very important that you immediately call for help. A few minutes could mean his life.