The American Stroke Association says that stroke is the No. 3 cause of death and a leading cause of long-term disability in the United States. When blood supply to the brain is reduced or interrupted, a stroke occurs. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain, and a lack of adequate blood supply to the brain leads to the death of brain cells. If signs or symptoms of stroke are noticed, medical help should be sought immediately.
Paralysis
According to "Stroke Diaries: A Guide for Survivors and Their Families," by Olajide Williams, M.D., a cardinal sign of stroke is sudden weakness or numbness in one or both sides of the body. This may be manifested as the inability to move the affected parts of the body. It may also be manifested as tingling or prickly sensations in one or both sides of the body. The side of the body affected depends on which side of the brain the stroke occurs in. If the stroke occurs in the left side of the brain, the right side of the body is affected and vice versa.
Gait
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that sudden impaired gait or trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, and dizziness are signs of stroke. These symptoms may cause unsteadiness or a spinning sensation that could lead to falls, according to "The Merck Manual of Health and Aging" by Mark Beers and Thomas Jones.
Vision
Visual impairment is another cardinal sign of stroke. It occurs as dimmed, blurred, double or loss of vision. This sign of stroke occurs suddenly and may affect one or both eyes, as stated by the American Heart Association.
Speech
Another sign of stroke is sudden trouble with speaking or understanding what other people say. This sign of stroke is observed when a person's speech becomes slurred and non-fluent or when an individual gets confused as suggested in "The Merck Manual of Health and Aging."
Headache
A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when an artery in the brain ruptures, causing blood to leak into the brain. A symptom of this type of stroke is a severe headache that occurs suddenly with no apparent cause.
References
- American Heart Association: Let’s Talk About Stroke,TIA and Warning Signs
- "The Merck Manual of Health and Aging"; Mark H. Beers, Thomas V. Jones; 2005
- "Stroke Diaries: A Guide for Survivors and Their Families"; Olajide Williams, M.D.; 2010
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Stroke Risk Factors and Symptoms
- American Heart Association: Learn to Recognize a Stroke
