An Overview of Stroke Symptoms
Even though a
stroke occurs in the unseen reaches of the brain, symptoms of a stroke can be easy to spot. As a general rule, symptoms with a stroke appear suddenly, and often there is more than one symptom present at the same time. Therefore, a stroke can usually be distinguished from other causes of dizziness or
headache. The signs and symptoms discussed below may indicate that a person has had a stroke and requires medical attention immediately.
Specific Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke
For a person having a stroke, the symptoms may vary depending on which part of the brain is affected. Examples of specific symptoms can include:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, hand, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
- Sudden confusion
- Sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes (such as double vision, blurred vision, or blindness)
- Sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or trouble walking
- Sudden loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
- Vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
- Spinning sensation (vertigo)
- Sudden collapse
- Seizures (in a small number of cases).
If you suspect you or someone you know is having a stroke, do not wait for the symptoms to worsen or improve. Call 911 immediately.
There are now effective therapies for stroke that need to be administered at a hospital; however, they lose their effectiveness if they are not received within the first three hours after stroke-related symptoms appear.
Also, keep in mind that it is common for a stroke victim to protest or deny that he or she is having a stroke. If you notice a person exhibiting any of the possible symptoms of a stroke discussed above, get help right away.
