1. Know the Five Warning Signs of a Stroke
It only takes a few minutes to learn how to detect a stroke, and it could save your life or someone else's. Consider writing down the five warning signs and keeping them with your emergency information or close to the telephone.
The first thing to watch for is sudden, unilateral weakness or numbness. If the left side of your face becomes numb, you are unable to grip with your right hand or one leg buckles underneath you, do not overlook it.
The second clue to a stroke is dimness or decreased vision in your eyes. Most of the time a stroke strikes one eye more than the other, so be aware of unilateral changes in your sight.
Language can be greatly affected by a stroke, so the third thing to watch for is difficulty understanding others or forming sounds. You may also begin to slur your words and sentences. If you are unsure whether this is happening, ask those around you to assess your speech clarity.
Sudden, severe headaches are the fourth warning sign of a stroke. Some people overlook this if they have a history of tension headaches or migraines. Remember, though, that a stroke-induced headache usually comes on without any aura or other warning and may feel like the worst head pain you've ever experienced.
Seek medical assistance if you become dizzy, unstable or begin to struggle with walking. These symptoms often present with at least one of the other four and should not be dismissed as momentary clumsiness or a lack of coordination.
2. Seek Emergency Assistance Immediately
Whether you notice one or more of the stroke warning signs or you suddenly feel foggy headed, zoned out or just not normal, call 911 or have a friend call for assistance. While you may find out that your episode was not caused by a serious medical condition, potential stroke symptoms need to be addressed within 3 hours of onset in order to minimize brain damage and lower the chances for impairment. It's a good idea to carry a cell phone with you when you're away from a land line. Being able to call for assistance--whether for you or someone else--could save a life.
3. Be Conscientious About Your Therapy
While you cannot prevent strokes 100 percent of the time, you can take steps to reduce your impairment by diligently participating in your rehabilitation. You may have to undergo speech, occupational or physical therapy and relearn daily tasks like buttoning shirts and using a computer, but it's important to begin this brain retraining in the early stages of recovery. Studies indicate that some brain cells affected by an episode can actually heal, and in some cases, the brain can reorganize itself at a remarkable pace.
Try not to become frustrated and skip therapy sessions or neglect to practice your new skills. Depending on the severity of the stroke, you may even return to normal functioning with the help of rehabilitation, family support and a positive attitude.
