How To Recognize The Warning Signs Of Stroke

If you are experiencing a stroke, you need immediate treatment to reduce the risks of brain damage, disability, or even death. The main causes of stroke can be ischemia (loss of blood supply) or hemorrhage (bleeding) in the brain. However, you can prevent stroke if the signs and symptoms are recognized.

Stroke symptoms are unique and come without any warning. The National Stroke Association suggests the term “FAST” to recognize common stroke symptoms.

FAST	Sign
F – Face	Droop or uneven smile on a person’s face
A – Arms	Numbness or weakness in arms can be a warning sign. Ask the person to raise the arms, if the arm drops down or isn’t steady, it can be a warning sign.
S – Speech Difficulty	Ask the person to speak something. Slurred speech can be a warning sign of a stroke
T for Time	Act fast

Your doctor may give you aspirin or clot-busting drugs to treat the stroke. The treatment works best when taken within 3 hours of onset symptoms.

Symptoms/Warning Signs Of Stroke

There are chances that there may be no warning signs of a stroke until it occurs. However, some of the patients may experience transient ischemic attack (TIA). It’s a mini stroke that gets better and resolves spontaneously. It is a temporary impairment of brain function, caused due to loss of blood supply. The symptoms of TIA can be mild or dramatic and similar to the stroke symptoms. It should not be ignored as it can be an early sign of stroke. Sometimes a stroke happens gradually and you may experience:

Weakness/ numbness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on one side
Trouble in understanding other people
Difficulty in speaking
Trouble seeing with one or both eyes
Problem in walking
Staying balanced or coordinated
Dizziness
Severe headache

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact 911 ASAP. Some of the additional symptoms include:-

Overall fatigue
Irritation
Hiccups
Seizures
Sudden behavioral changes
Fainting, pain, nausea, and vomiting etc.

What To Do In Situation Of Stroke?

Here are some of the things that you must keep in mind are:

1. Don’t wait when you notice that someone is having warning signs for stroke

You must act quickly if you notice that someone is having the symptoms of a stroke. Speedy treatment can improve chances for full recovery. According to the American Heart Association, there are chances that an individual might not exhibit all of the warning signs of having a stroke.

2. After you call, find out when you noticed the first warning sign

The emergency team can use this information to offer the right treatment. There are certain medicines that are needed to be administered within 3 hours of stroke symptoms to help prevent disability or death. So think FAST, act quickly, and get emergency help if you notice any stroke warning signs.

How You Can Prepare And Prevent Stroke?

Preparation For Stroke

You can prepare for stroke by following these steps:

Educate your family and friends about “FAST”
Keep your updated medical history handy
Don’t forget to keep a copy of your medications with you wherever you go
Always save emergency contact number on your phone.
Teach your children how to call for help

Prevention Of Stroke

Having a stroke increases the risk for another attack. The best treatment for a stroke is prevention. You can take the following steps to minimize the risk of a stroke:

Add more veggies, nuts, and beans to your diet
Avoid poultry, red meat, and eggs and eat more seafood
Limit intake of fats, sodium, sugars, and refined grains
Exercise regularly
Quit smoking
Limit alcohol
Take your prescribed medications as recommended by your doctor

If you know any other tips to prevent a stroke, do let us know in the comment section below.