Table of contents:
- What are the possible symptoms of a stroke?
- Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke
- What happens after having a stroke?
- Symptoms of a mild stroke
Stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or completely reduced, so that the brain tissue is deprived of oxygen and nutrients. This can damage or kill brain cells. Different parts of the brain control different body functions, so a stroke can affect almost any part of the body. Although it is difficult to predict the emergence of a stroke, you can find out the symptoms of a mild stroke or the symptoms of a stroke.
What are the possible symptoms of a stroke?
Each person may have different symptoms of a stroke. However, some of the following conditions are among the common stroke symptoms.
- Difficulty speaking or understanding other people
- Numbness or limp drooping on one side of the face or body
- Difficulty walking and balancing
- Vision problems
- Severe headaches
- Dizzy
- Difficulty swallowing
Of these symptoms, some people who have had a stroke may also not feel pain. Even so, be aware of all symptoms and see your doctor immediately if you experience some of these symptoms.
Anyone who may have had a stroke should not drive. Symptoms can quickly get worse, and can put yourself or others at risk in an accident.
Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke
The National Stroke Association recommends easy strategies to help you identify whether someone has had a stroke. If you think that someone around you is having a stroke, try doing it FAST (face, arm, speech, time). This is a strategy that means:
- Face: your face droops
- Arm: your arm is weakened
- Speech: difficulty in speaking
If a person cannot raise both arms, smile with both sides of the mouth, or say complete sentences, it is important to seek emergency care. These can be symptoms of a stroke. Because the longer a stroke is not treated, the more it will make your condition worse.
What happens after having a stroke?
The effects of a stroke can vary depending on the area of the brain that is affected. In addition, the length of time it takes to receive treatment also has an effect. The delay in treatment allows more brain cells to be damaged or die.
Some people may experience only minor effects after a stroke, such as fatigue or a disruption in the coordination system. Others may need to relearn basic functions, such as walking and swallowing, and require further treatment.
Usually, people who have had a stroke will experience visual disturbances, physical and emotional impacts.
After a stroke, some people experience:
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Cannot lift the front leg (foot drop)
- Urinary or bowel problems
- Pain, spasms
- Fatigue
- Lame
- Sleep problems
- Muscle spasms
A person may have one or more of these symptoms, which may increase in severity or get better.
In addition, a stroke can leave a person feeling shaken, confused, and afraid. A person who has had a stroke may experience depression, anxiety, stress, feel overwhelmed and lose their identity.
Talking to a professional can help deal with these feelings. A therapist can help a person deal with the emotional effects of a stroke and make changes to reduce stress.
Symptoms of a mild stroke
A mild stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a ministroke, is a condition in which the nerves are deprived of oxygen as a result of impaired blood flow that lasts less than 24 hours, usually within a few minutes. Light strokes also occur when parts of the brain don't get enough oxygen.
The signs and symptoms of a mild stroke are the same as for other strokes, but they can pass more quickly.
A ministroke usually lasts between a few minutes and several hours. Symptoms of a mild stroke can pass so quickly that a person hardly even notices them. For example, a person may have difficulty speaking or moving for several minutes before functioning again.
Anyone who suspects that he or she is experiencing mild stroke symptoms should seek emergency care immediately. Even though a ministroke is not a stroke, it should be treated just as seriously.
Having a ministroke is a warning that you are at high risk of having a stroke. To overcome this risk, it must be treated immediately.
One out of every three people who experience a ministroke eventually has an ischemic stroke within one year of the ministroke. Often, strokes occur within days or weeks of experiencing this condition.
