Understanding stroke
A stroke is also called a brain attack. It occurs when something blocks blood supply to a part of the brain or can even happen when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. A stroke can cause parts of your brain to become damaged or die. It can lead to long-term disability or even death.
Having a stroke can be scary. It is important to know the signs of stroke so that immediate medical attention can be sought.
Spotting advanced signs of stroke could save your life
Initial symptoms of stroke can be mild and non-specific, which can lead to a misdiagnosis and devastating long-term outcomes.
Health experts note that some symptoms like vertigo and dizziness, which can lead to unexplained falls, may occur in the days to weeks leading up to an event. These should not be dismissed and you should consult your doctor for a diagnosis.
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Vertigo and dizziness could be signs of a PCS
The vertebrobasilar arterial system perfuses (supply with fluid) the medulla, cerebellum, pons, midbrain, thalamus, and occipital cortex. When blood flow within the vertebrobasilar material system is interrupted, it can lead to a posterior circulation stroke (PCS), which accounts for 25 percent of all ischemic strokes.
These types of strokes are more uncommon and can lead to discrete non-stroke symptoms like vertigo and dizziness. Lack of proper diagnosis due to these confusing signs can increase risk of mortality.
The Stroke Association notes that sometimes these symptoms can emerge “weeks or months" before or after the event of stroke. When they occur before, they are a sign of transient ischaemic attack (TIA). A temporary disruption in the blood supply to a section of the brain can lead to a transient ischaemic attack (TIA). This results in a temporary lack of oxygen.
Understanding vestibular syndrome
When a fall occurs, it is normally a result of a person suffering an episode of vertigo, dizziness and severe imbalance.
In 2018, a report published in the journal Stroke identified dizziness and vertigo as signs of Episodes of vestibular syndrome (EVS). EVS often features short bouts of system dysfunction in the form of nausea and sudden falls. These symptoms – vertigo, dizziness or unsteadiness – can last for seconds to hours or occasionally days.
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Other signs of stroke to note
Apart from vertigo and dizziness, other important signs of stroke include:
-Weakness in the arms
-Weakness or paralysis down one side of the body, including legs and feet
-Saying words in the wrong order or forgetting words
-Sudden and severe headache
-Loss of vision
-Memory loss
When these symptoms occur during a TIA, they may resolve within a few minutes or hours without the need for treatment. However, a TIA is also an indication that a full-blown stroke could strike in the near future.
Quick treatment is critical
A stroke is a serious medical condition that requires emergency care. If you notice one side of someone’s face is drooping, if their smile is uneven, it could be a sign of stroke. Similarly, arm weakness or numbness as well as slurred speech could indicate stroke. Call an ambulance right away if you notice someone with signs of stroke. Every minute counts to protect the brain from getting further damaged.