Signs of a Stroke Coming Within 90 Days, Pay Attention to These 5 Characteristics
Wheelchair (illustration). There are several signs that someone will experience a total stroke.
-- Often a person can experience what is called a minor stroke or "stroke warning" before having another stroke. Clinically, this is known as a transient ischemic attack or TIA.
Some experts take issue with this expression, especially because TIA is as serious as a stroke and must still be treated. According to the American Heart Association, nearly one in five people suspected of having a transient ischemic attack will experience a complete stroke within 90 days.
"TIA symptoms are stroke-like symptoms that generally last a few minutes due to disruption of blood supply to part of the brain," said one of the directors of the Kentucky Neuroscience Institute, Dr. Larry Goldstein.
Although the traditional definition of TIA symptoms states that they disappear within 24 hours, most TIAs are brief and last less than an hour. Reported by the Huffpost page, experts share the early warning signs of a transient ischemic attack and what to do if you experience one:
1. Difficulty and weakness in balance
One of the most common signs of TIA is difficulty and weakness with balance. "Usually this happens on one side of the body," said professor of neurology and director of medical stroke at Yale New Haven Hospital, Dr. Hardik Amin.
2. Loss of vision
“A person may also experience loss of vision in one or both eyes or double vision,” says Dr. Goldstein.
This doesn't mean not seeing anything. Double vision also known as diplopia is when a person sees two images of one object while looking at it.
3. Facial drooping or numbness
Other symptoms include facial drooping or loss of muscle control on one side of the face. A person may experience numbness and may find it difficult to smile or move parts of the mouth. This condition is similar to Bell's palsy, a condition that causes similar facial paralysis. Even though a stroke will usually cause other symptoms as well, it is still important to get checked immediately even if this is the only problem you are experiencing.
4. Arm weakness
According to Dr. Goldstein, arm weakness is a possible warning sign of TIA. Lifting objects and raising the arms may feel like a difficult task, especially if a person has never had difficulty doing these things before. These symptoms also usually occur on one side of the body.
5. Speech disorders
"A person may have difficulty speaking or finding the right words," said Dr Amin. The words may be slurred or jumbled, surprising the speaker and their loved ones.
A TIA is an emergency and anyone who experiences one should get immediate medical attention. The good news is that the risk of having a stroke can be drastically reduced with targeted treatment as early as possible.
"Doctors can perform brain and blood vessel scans, evaluate heart function, and screen for cardiovascular risk factors that increase the risk of stroke," said Dr. Amin.
“Treating conditions such as plaque in the arteries, heart arrhythmias, hypertension, diabetes, etc. can significantly reduce the risk of future stroke, which can lead to disability or even death,” he said.