A stroke, also called a “brain attack,” occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked with plaque, a blood clot, or other substance, or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Due to the fact that the human brain is not able to store its own oxygen, it depends on various blood vessels for this supply.
When a brain attack takes place, the person’s oxygen supply to this organ is cut off and after several minutes, brain tissue begins to die. For this reason, no one should ever ignore the signs or symptoms associated with a brain attack. Rather, the person should call 911 or if possible, get the attention of another individual who can help.
1. Muscle Weakness
Brain attacks can lead to muscle weakness, specifically a type of weakness called hemiparesis. The latter is a term that refers to weakness on a particular side of the body. In most cases, a person is able to move the affected side, but it does not function as well as the other. This is because the muscular strength has been reduced from lack of oxygen to the affected area.
The side that experiences weakness is always opposite to the side of the brain where the attack occurred. If it took place in the brain’s right hemisphere, which controls certain types of behavior and nonverbal communication, left-sided weakness is the result. Similarly, if the injury was to the left portion of the brain, which controls speech and language, right-sided weakness is typically apparent.
2. Numbness
Strokes often cause numbness. This typically occurs on one side of the body, although depending on brain stem involvement, it may be felt on both sides. Numbness in one arm is often a symptom of impending brain attack, particularly when it is the type that is caused by an occlusion, such as a blood clot or plaque on the artery walls that has broken free and made its way to the brain.
Numbness is also commonly felt on one side of the face during the attack. However, there are other diseases and conditions that cause this symptom, which is why medical evaluation is imperative when it is experienced.
3. Blurred Vision
It is not uncommon for victims of strokes to experience blurred vision in one or both eyes. Because all parts of the body must have oxygen to function, and strokes interfere with the transportation of oxygen, vision is often affected.
Patients frequently describe this symptom as the way a wet painting looks when someone has accidentally brushed against it, causing it to smear. In fact, “smeared vision” is a term sometimes used when a medical team is first questioning a patient who has not completely lost his or her ability to speak.
4. Slurred Speech
Slurred speech is among several symptoms that almost always accompany a stroke. Interestingly, even patients who manage to retain their ability to speak during this event usually experience a noticeable slowing of their speech. An individual may also find it difficult to form specific words.
In some cases, it may sound almost as if the person is either drunk or impaired due to medication, but this assumption should never be made by anyone who notices a person slurring his or her words. Impaired speech may also occur in the days or weeks leading up to the stroke.
5. Pins and Needles
Signs and symptoms of a stroke also include pins and needles in one or more limbs. The most common area in which one experiences this symptom is in an arm or leg. It is often accompanied by numbness or weakness, but it is a definite symptom in and of itself. It is similar to the way a limb feels when it has “gone to sleep,” although it occurs sporadically, and does not go away when the person changes positions, walks about the room or does anything else one usually does to bring circulation back to an arm or leg.
6. Headache
Although head pain occurs for a broad range of reasons, this symptom is regarded as a potential sign of a stroke. Severe headaches are specifically linked to hemorrhagic strokes–the type that are caused by a broken blood vessel. In many cases, just prior to the attack, a person may describe it as the worst head pain he or she ever experienced.
Headaches may also precede strokes caused by occlusions as well. Regardless of the reason, however, severe headaches should never be ignored and unusually painful headaches that come on suddenly require immediate treatment.
7. Mental Confusion
Mental confusion is sometimes a vague symptom, particularly among older adults or those who are on certain types of medication. It may be attributed to dementia or senility, or merely overlooked as a sign of aging. However, mental confusion is never normal and is among the signs and symptoms of an impending stroke.
In certain cases, a person may be confused or forgetful for several days prior to the attack. When in doubt, anyone who feels his or her confusion cannot be linked to any obvious cause, medication, or previously recognized condition should seek medical help as soon as possible.
8. Rapid Involuntary Eye Movement
Rapid involuntary eye movement, also referred to as Nystagmus, is almost always the result of some type of neurological problem. In certain cases, this symptom can be caused by trauma or an underlying physical condition. However, it cannot be overlooked as a possible stroke symptom, as it is experienced by approximately 35 percent of stroke victims.
In most instances, the involuntary eye movement is horizontal and typically occurs on the side of the body opposite to the hemisphere of the brain where the attack occurred. This symptom is not among the signs that take place in days or weeks preceding a stroke. Rather, it typically takes place at the time the incident occurs.
9. Speech Loss
Complete loss of speech is almost always a sign of a brain attack, although certain rare diseases, such as the presence of a tumor, may also cause this symptom. Anyone who suddenly loses the ability to speak needs emergency medical care. This symptom may also manifest as jumbled speech, during which the person is thinking clearly, but the words come out as nothing more than gibberish to those nearby.
Like most signs and symptoms of a stroke, loss of speech occurs due to lack of oxygen. When the ability to speak is lost, the stroke has likely taken place on the left side of the brain.
10. Balance Disorder
Following a brain attack, many people experience a balance disorder and find it difficult to walk without the help of a cane, walker or the assistance of another individual. Unfortunately, balance disorder is a long-term effect of a brain attack, and physical therapy is typically needed before one sees improvement.
However, in certain cases, a person may feel balance disturbances before the incident actually occurs, and under no circumstances should the symptom be ignored, as it is never normal regardless of its underlying cause. Approximately 40 percent of stroke survivors experience falls within the next 12 months due to balance disturbances, making the appropriate physical therapy an imperative part of the recovery process.
