Spotting The Warning Signs: Early Stroke Indicators

Strokes occur when the brain stops receiving the blood and oxygen it needs, often due to a blocked artery or bleeding in the brain. The early signs of a stroke depend on which parts of the brain are affected and the severity of the initial damage. The FAST test is a useful mnemonic to help identify the early signs of a stroke: Face (drooping), Arms (weakness), Speech (difficulty), and Time (to call emergency services). Other early warning signs include numbness, confusion, clumsiness, severe headache, and loss of vision. Recognizing these signs and acting quickly are crucial, as stroke is a medical emergency that can lead to brain damage, long-term disability, or death.

Face drooping

F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop or appear numb? This could be a sign of muscle weakness or paralysis, which often shows up on just one side of the body.

A – Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? This could be another indication of one-sided weakness.

S – Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Are they slurring their words or does their speech sound strange? A stroke may cause the person to have difficulty speaking clearly or choosing the right words.

T – Time: If you observe any of the above signs, call the emergency services immediately. Make sure to note the time when the symptoms first appeared, as this information will help healthcare providers determine the best treatment.

The FAST test is a quick and easy way to identify the most common signs of a stroke. It is important to act quickly as every minute counts when someone is having a stroke.

Arm weakness

If you or someone you know is experiencing arm weakness, it is vital to call 911 or 999 immediately. Stroke treatments are most effective when given as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms, and early treatment can improve survival rates and prevent long-term disability.

Speech difficulty

There are several types of aphasia that can occur following a stroke, including:

• Broca's aphasia (expressive aphasia): Individuals with this type of aphasia have difficulty with spoken and written expression.
• Anomic aphasia: Characterized by difficulty with word retrieval, those with this type of aphasia may demonstrate slow or halting speech.
• Wernicke's aphasia (receptive aphasia or fluent aphasia): People with this type have trouble understanding speech and producing meaningful language; they may be able to speak long, fluent sentences, but the words do not make sense.
• Conduction aphasia: This type of aphasia causes difficulty with repeating words or phrases.
• Global aphasia: Individuals with global aphasia experience difficulties with both speech production and comprehension.

In addition to aphasia, other conditions that can affect speech following a stroke include dysarthria and apraxia of speech. Dysarthria is caused by weakness or incoordination of the muscles involved in speech, resulting in slurred or mumbled speech. Apraxia of speech, on the other hand, is a disruption of the messages sent from the brain to the speech-related muscles, leading to inaccurate voluntary control of these muscles and difficulty producing desired sounds.

It is important to note that stroke is a medical emergency, and if any signs of speech difficulty or other stroke symptoms are present, immediate medical attention is required.

Vision problems

Blurred vision, or refractive errors, can be caused by a number of conditions, including myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, presbyopia, and amblyopia (lazy eye). Myopia causes blurry vision when looking at distant objects, while hyperopia causes blurry vision up close. Astigmatism can cause blurry or double vision at any distance, and presbyopia usually affects people over 40 who have trouble reading small print or focusing on close objects. Lazy eye is a common problem in children, caused by the brain and eyes not working together, which results in vision development problems.

Other vision problems that could indicate a stroke are flashes of light, floaters, and shadows in your vision, which could be symptoms of retinal detachment. If you experience a sudden onset of flashing lights, often paired with black floaters, it might be retinal detachment, and you should call your doctor immediately. Another warning sign is if you feel like a dark curtain covers part of your side vision. This could be a sign of a stroke, so call 911 right away to rule out this possibility.

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these vision problems, it is important to seek medical help immediately. Call 911 if you suspect a stroke, and consult an eye doctor for other serious eye conditions.

Dizziness

There are various causes of dizziness, and it is not always easy to determine the exact reason. However, when dizziness occurs in conjunction with other stroke symptoms, it can be a cause for concern. Stroke symptoms often develop suddenly and include face drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulties. If you notice any of these signs, it is crucial to act F.A.S.T:

• Face: Check if one side of the person's face is drooping or numb. Ask them to smile and observe if their smile is uneven.
• Arms: Check if the person has weakness or numbness in one arm. Ask them to raise both arms and see if one arm drifts downward.
• Speech: Listen for slurred speech or difficulty in speaking or understanding speech.
• Time: If you observe any of these signs, it's time to call emergency services immediately. Note the time when the symptoms first appeared.

In addition to dizziness, other stroke symptoms may include numbness or weakness on one side of the body, confusion, trouble seeing, severe headache, nausea, and vomiting. It is important to be vigilant and not ignore these warning signs, even if the symptoms subside after a short time. Stroke is a medical emergency, and early treatment significantly improves survival rates and lowers the risk of long-term disability.

Frequently asked questions