Stroke is in the top five leading causes of death and disability in the United States. When a stroke is coming on, you have little time available to save you from permanent disability or death. There are certain risk factors such as age, ethnicity, and pre-existing health conditions you should be aware of.
It is crucial that you become aware of your risk level of getting a stroke. A huge percentage of strokes are preventable. Saving your life begins at actively reducing your risk factors for stroke.
Moreover, you should to be aware of the warning signs of a stroke. These warning signs can help you get medical attention sooner so you have less consequences from the stroke.
Here are the five warning signs of a stroke to watch out for.
Signs of a Stroke
The sudden onset of the following symptoms could point to a stroke. Note that stroke symptoms may occur one at a time or in combination with each other.
- Weakness Numbness or feelings of weakness on one side of the body is the number one sign of stroke. If you feel one side of your body is feeling “down” and you have less energy in one arm and leg, you may be having a stroke. Try to lift each arm or move each leg and assess if there is a difference between how each side of your body feels. If you notice a difference, seek medication attention immediately.
- Speech Difficulty The second sign of a stroke is sudden speech changes and speech difficulty. If you experience sudden confusion and have difficulty physically saying words, it could be a sign of a stroke. This can happen suddenly and you may find yourself unable to carry on a conversation that started out just fine.
- Vision Changes A sudden change in vision, such as blurred vision, is another sign of a stroke. It may occur in one eye or both eyes. While it is normal to experience changes in vision gradually, a sudden change is not. If you notice an immediate change in vision, it could be a sign that you are having a stroke and should seek medical attention immediately.
- Loss of Balance Suddenly losing balance and being unable to stand or walk is another sign of a stroke. If you are walking or standing and notice you are suddenly having difficulty balancing yourself, one side of your body may be experiencing the effects of a stroke. Weakness in one side of the body will force you to become unbalanced and can even cause you to fall.
- Sudden and Severe Headache Another sign of a stroke is if you develop a severe headache very quickly. This sign can often be confusing. The trick is to pay attention to your surroundings and assess if your headache is “normal” based on what’s going on. If your headache appears swiftly and becomes severe, it could be a sign of a stroke and should be checked out by a doctor immediately.
Stroke or Something Else?
The tricky thing about identifying a stroke is that some symptoms are not obvious. In addition, it’s also easy to confuse some stroke symptoms with symptoms of other conditions. For instance, weakness and loss of balance are pretty common symptoms that could easily be shrugged off as tiredness.
The key is to understand your risk factors, and if you are at high risk, keep a lookout for the warning signs described above. If any of them develop rapidly, seek medication attention immediately.
Stoke Treatment and Care in Colorado
Our team of surgeons at Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery has extensive training, skill, and experience in the management and treatment of a variety of conditions, including strokes.
To get the advanced and compassionate treatment you deserve, please call (303) 790-1800 or request an appointment now. We look forward to serving you.
