Stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted or when blood vessels in the brain rupture. When the brain is not provided with enough oxygen and nutrients, nerve cells can die in just a few minutes. Because the brain controls movement, language, memory and many other vital functions, the consequences of stroke are often serious, even life-threatening.
What is worrying is that stroke symptoms often appear suddenly and are sometimes quite vague, making many people subjective or slow to go to the emergency room. Early identification and timely treatment can make a big difference between complete recovery and long-term disability. Here are 5 stroke warning signs that should not be ignored:
Sudden weakness or numbness in one side of the body
This is the most common manifestation. Patients may experience numbness or weakness in the face, hands or feet, especially if it only occurs on one side of the body. Easy-to-notice signs include a face drooping to one side, a distorted smile, unable to lift both hands evenly, or a noticeable numbness in the limbs.
Difficulty speaking or not understanding the words
Stroke can affect the brain area that controls language. Patients may stutter, mispronounce, use wrong words, or cannot form complete sentences. In some cases, they do not understand what the other person is saying or cannot repeat a simple sentence. If you see someone suddenly speaking clutteredly, immediately think of the risk of stroke.
Sudden vision disorder
Vision changes can occur in one or both eyes and are usually painless, so they are easily overlooked. Patients may have blurred vision, double vision, temporary vision loss in one eye, or dark areas appear in vision.
Severe, abnormal headache
A sudden and severe headache may be a sign of a stroke due to cerebral hemorrhage. The pain usually starts quickly, has no obvious cause, and may be accompanied by vomiting, dizziness, or fainting.
Loss of balance, dizziness or poor coordination
Stroke can also affect the area of the brain that controls balance and movement. Patients may experience severe dizziness, staggering gait, loss of hand-foot coordination, or sudden falls.
Time is a decisive factor in stroke treatment. The sooner intervention is done, the higher the ability to restore blood flow and limit brain damage. Timely treatment helps increase survival chances and reduce the risk of long-term disability.
