What Are The Signs Of A Stroke?

Knowing how to recognize the signs of a stroke can save your life. The symptoms are relatively easy to recognize, but can occur suddenly.

What is a stroke

The cells in your brain require an uninterrupted supply of oxygen and glucose provided by your bloodstream in order to function. A stroke occurs when supply to a part of the brain is stopped and brain cells begin to die. A variety of complications can affect blood flow. This includes the narrowing of small brain arteries, hardening of arteries and embolism, and blood clots that can block flow.

Risk factors

There are a few common risk factors for strokes. They include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes and advanced age. In general, strokes occur in individuals over the age of 50, but they can occur in younger people. In young people, the risk for stroke is often complicated by extreme alcohol or drug use.

Signs

These signs often appear without warning. The first is sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms or legs. It is usually noticeable on only one side of the body. Confusion, a hard time understanding and speaking, is also common. A loss of vision, especially in one eye, or a severe headache that comes on within seconds are also indicators.

Symptoms occur very suddenly and are generally easy to notice; any signs of numbness or weakness of the face and body, trouble speaking or loss of vision need serious treatment.

What to do if you recognize the signs

The symptoms of stroke usually appear suddenly, so act as quickly as possible. First, dial 911 and alert emergency medical crews. The affected individual should lay flat on the back to promote blood flow to the brain. Do not attempt to administer aspirin, as it presents a choking hazard. To determine severity and risk ask the affected individual to do the following: smile, raise both arms and speak a simple sentence. These actions should appear symmetric. If the individual can not do all three then there is serious risk of stroke.

Learning to recognize the symptoms and risk factors are key to preventing damage to the brain. Quick response and alerting medical officials is the best way to save a stroke individual. Look for symptoms that appear on only one side of the body.

Learning to recognize the symptoms and risk factors are key to preventing brain damage