These are the early warning signs of a stroke

Dangerous disease

Dangerous disease, What is a stroke?, Quick response, Diagnosis, Emergency, Other signs, Body numbness, Dizziness, Types of strokes, Ischemic stroke, Ischemic stroke subtype, Hemorrhagic stroke causes, Hemorrhagic stroke risk factor, Most affected groups, Medical exam, Further exams, Echocardiogram, Ischemic stroke treatment, Hemorrhagic stroke treatment, Paralysis or loss of movement, Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

In 2015, 6.2 million people died of a stroke, according to WHO. The stroke, which is only surpassed by ischemic heart disease, is second in the organization's survey of the top 10 causes of death worldwide.

What is a stroke?

Dangerous disease, What is a stroke?, Quick response, Diagnosis, Emergency, Other signs, Body numbness, Dizziness, Types of strokes, Ischemic stroke, Ischemic stroke subtype, Hemorrhagic stroke causes, Hemorrhagic stroke risk factor, Most affected groups, Medical exam, Further exams, Echocardiogram, Ischemic stroke treatment, Hemorrhagic stroke treatment, Paralysis or loss of movement, Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

According to WHO, a stroke is the sudden death of some brain cells due to lack of oxygen. It happens when blood flow to the brain is lost by blockage or rupture of an artery in the brain.

Quick response

Dangerous disease, What is a stroke?, Quick response, Diagnosis, Emergency, Other signs, Body numbness, Dizziness, Types of strokes, Ischemic stroke, Ischemic stroke subtype, Hemorrhagic stroke causes, Hemorrhagic stroke risk factor, Most affected groups, Medical exam, Further exams, Echocardiogram, Ischemic stroke treatment, Hemorrhagic stroke treatment, Paralysis or loss of movement, Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

When it comes to detecting strokes and getting help, the faster, the better. This is because immediate treatment can make the difference between life and death, or the difference between a complete recovery and a long-term disability.

Diagnosis

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To identify the symptoms of a stroke, the American Stroke Association (ASA) advises to make a F.A.S.T. assessment, looking for signs of face (F) drooping, arm (A) weakness, speech (S) difficulty. If you notice all of these then it's time (T) to make an emergency call. Most stroke cases can only be identified with this test.

Face

Dangerous disease, What is a stroke?, Quick response, Diagnosis, Emergency, Other signs, Body numbness, Dizziness, Types of strokes, Ischemic stroke, Ischemic stroke subtype, Hemorrhagic stroke causes, Hemorrhagic stroke risk factor, Most affected groups, Medical exam, Further exams, Echocardiogram, Ischemic stroke treatment, Hemorrhagic stroke treatment, Paralysis or loss of movement, Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

The first stage of F.A.S.T. is to observe if one side of the face has drooped. Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven or unbalanced?

Arms

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Does the person feel weakness in their arms? Ask the person to raise both arms. Is one of them lower than the other or is the person unable to lift one of their arms?

Speech

Dangerous disease, What is a stroke?, Quick response, Diagnosis, Emergency, Other signs, Body numbness, Dizziness, Types of strokes, Ischemic stroke, Ischemic stroke subtype, Hemorrhagic stroke causes, Hemorrhagic stroke risk factor, Most affected groups, Medical exam, Further exams, Echocardiogram, Ischemic stroke treatment, Hemorrhagic stroke treatment, Paralysis or loss of movement, Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Ask the person to say a simple sentence. Does the person has difficulty speaking? Is the person slurring their speech?

Time

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According to the ASA, if someone shows any of these symptoms, even if they disappear, call the emergency services and tell them that it may be a stroke. Help will be sent immediately.

Emergency

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Time is of utmost importance and help must be urgently requested even if you are not sure whether the symptoms are of a stroke.

Other signs

Dangerous disease, What is a stroke?, Quick response, Diagnosis, Emergency, Other signs, Body numbness, Dizziness, Types of strokes, Ischemic stroke, Ischemic stroke subtype, Hemorrhagic stroke causes, Hemorrhagic stroke risk factor, Most affected groups, Medical exam, Further exams, Echocardiogram, Ischemic stroke treatment, Hemorrhagic stroke treatment, Paralysis or loss of movement, Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

The organization reveals that other symptoms may appear separately, or in combination with the signs of F.A.S.T.

Body numbness

Dangerous disease, What is a stroke?, Quick response, Diagnosis, Emergency, Other signs, Body numbness, Dizziness, Types of strokes, Ischemic stroke, Ischemic stroke subtype, Hemorrhagic stroke causes, Hemorrhagic stroke risk factor, Most affected groups, Medical exam, Further exams, Echocardiogram, Ischemic stroke treatment, Hemorrhagic stroke treatment, Paralysis or loss of movement, Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Other symptoms that may appear are sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg. Especially on one side of the body.

Dizziness

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Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination may be other symptoms of a stroke.

Types of strokes

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There are two variations of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke.

Ischemic stroke

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This is the most common type of stroke, affecting about 80% of patients. This stroke variation is caused by lack of blood supply to the brain.

Ischemic stroke subtype

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Within this variant of stroke, there is also Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), which is characterized by a passing clog in one of the blood vessels.

Hemorrhagic stroke causes

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The main cause of this type of stroke is hypertension, which weakens brain arteries, making them more susceptible to rupture.

Hemorrhagic stroke risk factor

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Risk factors include obesity, alcohol abuse, smoking, stress, and having a sedentary lifestyle.

Most affected groups

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Pregnancy and the use of contraceptives may increase the risk of the disease in women.

Medical exam

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The doctor will examine some signs like blood pressure and heart rate. The doctor may also examine their eyes.

Further exams

Dangerous disease, What is a stroke?, Quick response, Diagnosis, Emergency, Other signs, Body numbness, Dizziness, Types of strokes, Ischemic stroke, Ischemic stroke subtype, Hemorrhagic stroke causes, Hemorrhagic stroke risk factor, Most affected groups, Medical exam, Further exams, Echocardiogram, Ischemic stroke treatment, Hemorrhagic stroke treatment, Paralysis or loss of movement, Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

From a blood test, it is possible to determine the blood clotting time, as well as the level of sugar present in it and if the chemical components of the blood are out of balance.

Dangerous disease, What is a stroke?, Quick response, Diagnosis, Emergency, Other signs, Body numbness, Dizziness, Types of strokes, Ischemic stroke, Ischemic stroke subtype, Hemorrhagic stroke causes, Hemorrhagic stroke risk factor, Most affected groups, Medical exam, Further exams, Echocardiogram, Ischemic stroke treatment, Hemorrhagic stroke treatment, Paralysis or loss of movement, Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Your doctor may ask you to do an MRI and a CT scan.

Echocardiogram

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Through this examination, the doctor will see detailed images of the heart. The exam shows if there are any clots that might have eventually moved to the brain, causing a stroke.

Ischemic stroke treatment

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Emergency medication increases the chance of survival and may reduce any further complications. Depending on the case, the doctor may inject these directly into the brain or perform a surgical intervention.

Hemorrhagic stroke treatment

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The emergency procedure consists of the use of medications to lower intracranial pressure, blood pressure, and also to prevent vasospasm and seizures. The doctor may also perform surgery to repair the blood vessels.

Paralysis or loss of movement

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Part of the body may become paralyzed after a stroke. The muscles most affected are usually those of the face and arms.

Memory

Dangerous disease, What is a stroke?, Quick response, Diagnosis, Emergency, Other signs, Body numbness, Dizziness, Types of strokes, Ischemic stroke, Ischemic stroke subtype, Hemorrhagic stroke causes, Hemorrhagic stroke risk factor, Most affected groups, Medical exam, Further exams, Echocardiogram, Ischemic stroke treatment, Hemorrhagic stroke treatment, Paralysis or loss of movement, Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Many people who have suffered a stroke end up losing some memory or have a hard time thinking. In some cases, patients complain of pain, numbness, or other strange sensations in the areas of the body affected by the disease.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Dangerous disease, What is a stroke?, Quick response, Diagnosis, Emergency, Other signs, Body numbness, Dizziness, Types of strokes, Ischemic stroke, Ischemic stroke subtype, Hemorrhagic stroke causes, Hemorrhagic stroke risk factor, Most affected groups, Medical exam, Further exams, Echocardiogram, Ischemic stroke treatment, Hemorrhagic stroke treatment, Paralysis or loss of movement, Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Victims of a stroke are also more likely to suffer from thrombosis in the future. This is when a blood clot forms in the leg. It usually affects people who have lost their movements.