- There is no undermining the urgency with which a stroke should be treated. Here are the seven subtle signs of this medical emergency, recognising which should make you contact a doctor immediately
Key Highlights
- A stroke happens because the blood flow to the brain meets with some disruption serious enough to hamper its functioning.
- Luckily, with advances in science and knowledge dissemination, the world sees far fewer deaths and disabilities in this illness.
- The faster a patient is given medical intervention, the better the chances of survival and recovery.
A stroke, or “brain attack,” occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked or bursts. The way our bodies are designed, there is no way the brain can store the required amount of oxygen for say – a few minutes – in case the O2 supply through blood is interrupted.
So, the brain is dependent upon its network of blood vessels to provide it with blood that is rich in oxygen. When this blood supply is cut off due to a blockage in the artery or injury to the brain or blood vessels (like even snapping due to stress or trauma) – there is a shortage of precious Oxygen-rich blood, thus causing surrounding nerve cells to be cut off from their supply of nutrients and oxygen. When this kind of disruption continues for more than three to four minutes, brain tissue begins to die.
Nerve cells in the brain tissue communicate with other cells to control functions including memory, speech, and movement. When nerve cells in the brain tissue get injured or die due to untreated stroke, nerve cells cannot communicate with other cells, and functions are impaired. If a stroke occurs on the right side of the brain, the left side of the body is affected, and vice versa.
According to Cleveland Clinic, the effects of a stroke depend on the extent and the location of damage in the brain. A stroke can cause one or several of the below-mentioned disabilities:
- Inability to move part of the body (paralysis)
- Weakness in part of the body
- Numbness in part of the body
- Inability to speak or understand words
- Difficulty communicating
- Difficulty swallowing
- Vision loss
- Memory loss, confusion, or poor judgment
- Change in personality, emotional problems
What causes a stroke?
There are two main causes of stroke: a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or leaking or bursting of a blood vessel (haemorrhagic stroke). The third type of stroke is when temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain (transient ischemic attack or TIA) causes minor disruption but does not cause lasting symptoms. The sooner a person is treated for stroke, the more likely they are to survive and recover.
Use this mantra or hack to remember how to recognise a stroke. The word is ‘FAST’ – an acronym of how to recognise a stroke:
‘FAST’ SYMPTOMS:
- Face – the face may have dropped on 1 side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped.
- Arms – the person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in 1 arm.
- Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you’re saying to them.
- Time – it’s time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.
While the FAST acronym covers the main symptoms of a stroke, there are less dramatic symptoms that can also signal a stroke. Mayo Clinic says you must seek immediate medical attention if you notice any signs or symptoms of a stroke, even if they seem to come and go or they disappear completely. Think “FAST” and do the following:
‘FAST’ ACTION:
- Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? Or is one arm unable to rise?
- Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is his or her speech slurred or strange?
- Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 911 or emergency medical help immediately.
7 subtle signals that you must not ignore:
- Weakness in the face (such as a droopy eyelid or lip)
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Numbness
- Loss of balance
- Slurred speech
- Headache
Express.co.uk cites a study carried out by WebMD in 2003 that found that people tend to ignore some very subtle red flags our body is raising just before or during a stroke, The study was carried out by examining taped recordings of calls made by stroke patients admitted later to a German hospital over a year.
According to WebMD, researchers found that speech problems were reported in a quarter of the cases, limb weakness was seen in 22 per cent of cases, and an altered state of consciousness was noted in about 15 per cent. The callers rarely mentioned the subtle stroke symptoms, with facial weakness only cited in 10 per cent of cases, numbness in eight per cent, and dizziness in six per cent.
As quoted by Express.co.uk, researcher René Handschu, MD, of the “Friedreich-Alexander-Universitaet Urlangen-Nurnberg” in Germany: “Many patients wait to see if symptoms improve or disappear.
“From the patient’s point of view, numbness of one limb or even dizziness and nausea is not so bad that you will bother all your neighbours by calling an ambulance with lights and sirens.”
Mayo Clinic advises that one must not wait to see if symptoms stop as every minute counts. The longer a stroke goes untreated, the greater the potential for brain damage and disability. If you are with someone you suspect is having a stroke, watch the person carefully while waiting for emergency assistance.
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.
The above article was first published in Times Now, https://www.timesnownews.com/health/article/paralytic-stroke-symptoms-signs-red-flags-ignored-ischaemic-haemorrhagic-brain-paralysis-fast-cerebrovascular-aneurysm-disability-treatment/816188