Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability across the United States.
Although women and older adults face a higher lifetime risk of stroke than other groups, anybody of any age can be affected. Strokes can happen quickly and with very little warning, but they can have long-term and life-altering consequences. Read more to learn about how to identify the early-warning signs of a stroke or contact Core Medicine of Idaho’s urgent care to schedule an appointment.
Understanding Stroke
A stroke is a serious medical emergency caused by a sudden interruption to your brain’s supply of blood and oxygen. Most strokes can be categorized as either of the following:
- Ischemic stroke. An ischemic stroke occurs when one or more of the blood vessels in your brain becomes blocked, clogged, or otherwise incapable of sustaining blood flow. The majority of strokes—about 87%—are ischemic strokes. Many ischemic strokes are triggered by blood clots, but they can have other causes, too.
- Hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic strokes are caused by inadequate blood flow to the brain, whereas hemorrhagic strokes occur after a blood vessel bursts or ruptures. This can trigger widespread bleeding in the brain and adjacent tissue.
Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes can be life-threatening. Furthermore, even though fewer people today die from strokes than at any point in the past, a non-fatal stroke can still cause extensive damage to your brain’s internal circuitry, potentially leading to long-term disability.
5 Signs of an Impending Stroke
Strokes can be “invisible” and occur without triggering any symptoms. However, even when symptoms are present, they are often subtle in their appearance. Some of the most common signs of a stroke include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Trouble Speaking and Hearing
Since strokes affect the brain’s blood supply, they can make it much more difficult for people to perform simple cognitive tasks. Somebody having a stroke may be visibly confused, slur their words, or have difficulty understanding ordinary speech.
2. Unexplained Numbness or Paralysis in Part of the Body
Stroke can cause unusual symptoms specific to certain parts or sides of the body. These symptoms could include feelings of:
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Paralysis
Somebody suffering a stroke could also lose control over muscles on one side of the body. They may be able to raise one arm but not the other or struggle to open their mouth all the way.
These symptoms can occur almost anywhere but are most noticeable in the face, arms, and legs.
3. Vision Problems
A stroke can make it difficult to see normally. Common visual problems typically include blurred or blackened vision. Some stroke patients experience other disturbances, like “seeing double.”
4. Sudden and Serious Headaches
Stroke can provoke varied physical symptoms, including severe and borderline debilitating headaches. Other worrying signs, like violent vomiting or lapses in consciousness, may accompany these headaches.
5. Difficulty Walking
Abruptly losing your ability to walk in a straight line, speak intelligibly, or use your hands for simple tasks is a telltale sign of a stroke.
How to React to Stroke Symptoms
A stroke is a life-threatening emergency that often strikes with little warning.
If you, or a loved one, are experiencing severe stroke symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention. Stroke can progress very quickly; any delay, no matter how short, could result in irreversible neurological damage and, in some cases, death. The “FAST” acronym can help recognize when a trip to the hospital is necessary:
- “F” for face. Ask the person to smile. If one side of their face droops, they may be experiencing a stroke.
- “A” for arms. Ask the person to raise one or both arms. If they can’t lift their arms or are noticeably weaker in one arm than the other, they could be having a stroke.
- “S” for speech. If somebody can’t speak properly, or their speech seems slurred or otherwise impaired, they likely need immediate medical attention.
- “T” for time. If you observe any of these signs, together or alone, call 911 immediately.
Many general stroke symptoms, like unexplained headaches, numbness, or vomiting, can be comparatively difficult to tie to any particular condition, even for medical professionals with years of experience. However, if you’re feeling unwell and aren’t sure why, your body may be trying to tell you something. These kinds of vague symptoms can presage impending trouble, whether a stroke, a nasty case of COVID, or the flu.
Your body stands its best chance when you take a proactive approach to your health.
Core Medicine of Idaho could help you get to the bottom of unexplained pain or chronic discomfort. We can treat most non-life-threatening conditions on-site and operate an in-house pharmacy and lab, ensuring that you can get peace of mind or a life-saving referral without the inconvenience of spending your day in a waiting room.