Stroke. Symptoms

Everyone should recognise the symptoms which indicate a stroke:

  • sudden paralysis of part of the body, an arm or leg or half of the face, unusual sensations in the limbs (tingling or numbness)
  • sudden problems speaking with unclear, indistinct speech, problems understanding what has been said or complete inability to speak
  • sudden visual weakness or blindness in one eye or on one side of the visual field (in a left or right direction)
  • sudden double vision, blurred vision
  • sudden feelings of dizziness with nausea and vomiting, balance and coordination problems
  • sudden unconsciousness, confusion (in time, place or in relation to people)
  • abrupt onset of a very severe headache (like a bolt out of the blue)

Usually those affected experience no pain during a stroke unless it is accompanied by a severe headache. For this reason many strokes, especially mild ones, go unnoticed. Conversely many people frequently fail to recognise a stroke in someone else.

Precursors to a stroke

In around a third of all strokes there are warning signs, the so-called transitory ischaemic attacks (TIA), a transient disturbance of blood flow in the brain. With such strokes only lasting a short time, the blood clot immediately breaks up again, so that no brain cells die. The above-mentioned neurological deficits occur only for a few minutes and seldom last longer than one or two hours. They may however also last up to 24 hours. Transitory ischaemic attacks leave no lasting damage behind and the symptoms go away completely after a while.

Take the warning signs of a stroke seriously

Important: These disruptions in blood flow, which herald a stroke, must be taken seriously. Every minute counts. Should you observe the above-mentioned warning signs in other people, bring the patient as quickly as possible to a hospital, because there is a real increased risk of a major stroke occurring, especially in older people and if there are lasting symptoms such as paralysis in one half of the body and difficulties speaking. Immediate medical treatment may possibly prevent a major stroke or at least limit complications and any other consequences.

Professional care

Bader

Dr. med.

Peter Bader


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