Cerebral Stroke is a leading cause of serious disability in the United States. Every year, almost 800,000 people suffer a stroke, 700,000 of which are first-timers and in 150,000 cases, it is a recurrence. But there are ways to avoid it if you are careful with some things in your daily life. We’ve listed some signs you shouldn’t miss to avoid an upcoming stroke.
Having a stroke is similar to a heart attack, but in this case, it attacks your brain. In fact, a cerebral stroke happens when some parts of the brain are disrupted and this causes our body to be unable to function normally.
The affected part of the brain needs urgent medical attention since it is important for the brain to obtain a continuous supply of oxygen to function normally.
Symptoms Of An Oncoming Stroke
Symptoms of a stroke usually develop quickly, but it can sometimes take hours or even days to realize that something is wrong.
Therefore, if you think you may be experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important not to ignore it, even if some of them do not appear to be very serious.
1. High Blood Pressure
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High blood pressure can cause serious problems, such as a stroke, damage brain nerves, or weaken blood vessels and cause a leak or rupture. Also, high blood pressure is the reason for clots to form in the bloodstream and carry them to the brain, causing a stroke in the process.
2. Vision Problems
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Stroke can cause double vision, loss of vision in one eye, or blurred vision. When about 1,300 people were asked during a survey in the UK, they all remembered vision problems / blurred vision as a strong indicator.
3. Numbness On One Side Of The Body
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It is common to have numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg on both sides of the body. In some cases, there may also be paralysis on the opposite side where the stroke in the brain occurred.
4. Dizziness Or Fatigue For No Reason
In one study, it appears that vertigo and dizziness are also common factor among patients who have had a stroke. The state of confusion could be the result of the affected brain side.
5. A Sudden Migraine Or Severe Headache
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During a stroke, blood flow to the brain is blocked or interrupted due to a disruption in the bloodstream. This can cause rupture or damage to the vessel, resulting in a very sudden migraine or headache.
6. Stiffness In The Neck Or Shoulder Pain
A ruptured blood vessel in the brain can cause a stiff neck or shoulders. If you can’t touch your chin with your chest (considering you’re not obese or have any other conditions), see a doctor right away.
Who Is At Risk Here?
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According to an NCBI report, these are the people most likely to have a stroke:
People with high blood pressure: A blood pressure is considered high if it is 140/90 mmHg or more.
Age and Gender: Older men are more likely to have a stroke than younger men or women.
Smoking: Smoking can affect the amount of oxygen reaching the brain and can also cause a lot of damage to the blood vessels, resulting in high blood pressure.
Diabetes: Diabetes is caused by a deficiency of the hormone insulin, which regulates the level of sugar in the body. When insulin is lacking, sugar does not reach the parts of the body where energy is needed, such as the brain, for example.
Heart disease: Heart disease can cause blood clots, sometimes resulting in interrupted blood flow, which can lead to a stroke.
Other Risk Factors:
- Alcohol
- Obesity
- Junk food / unhealthy diet
- Anxiety depression
- Lack of physical activity
- Any other neurological problem.
What To Do In The Case of an Emergency?
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If you are alone:
- Call 911 or the local emergency number.
- Don’t drive alone to the hospital.
- Do not eat or drink anything.
- Don’t worry: Your chances of survival are 60% to 70% if you are under 60 years old.
If you are supporting a patient:
- If you are someone helping a patient, keep them on their side with their heads up.
- Sometimes they can vomit, so be prepared to support the head.
- Speak calmly and make sure you are not anxious.
- Observe the patient carefully and notify the emergency operator of the condition.
Do you know more about the signs and symptoms of a stroke? Feel free to share what you know in the comments and share the article with the people you care about!