How do I know if I am having a stroke?

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  1. Dr. Mehmet Oz
     
    Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:
    ou may or may not notice anything unusual while suffering a stroke, but others observing you might. Symptoms can be telling because deficits typically match the area of the brain affected since the brain is divided into regions that control vision, hearing, movement, cognition and speech. Although it is difficult to tell hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes apart, a loss of consciousness, severe headache, nausea and vomiting may be a clue that pressure is building from a hemorrhagic brain bleed, which tends to be more life threatening. But symptoms are likely to be clinically similar for both types of stroke.
     
    So if the event occurs in the ophthalmic artery or region, vision will be affected. If it occurs in the region of the brain responsible for language, speech will be affected. If weakness occurs on the right side of the body, a left-brain stroke is suspected.
     
    Strokes can also produce seizures and subtle symptoms such as changes in memory, concentration, strength, sleep and mood.
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    ou may or may not notice anything unusual while suffering a stroke, but others observing you might. Symptoms can be telling because deficits typically match the area of the brain affected since the brain is divided into regions that control... More
  2. American Diabetes Association
     
    In a stroke, the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted by a blocked blood vessel, and brain tissue is damaged. Typical warning signs of a stroke develop suddenly and can include:

    - weakness or numbness on one side of your body
    - sudden confusion or trouble understanding
    - trouble talking
    - dizziness, loss of balance, or trouble walking
    - trouble seeing out of one or both eyes
    - double vision
    - severe headache

    Sometimes one or more of these warning signs occur but then disappear. That condition, called a transient ischemic attack or a TIA, occurs when blood flow is temporarily blocked. It means you may be at risk for a future stroke.
    More Related Answers from American Diabetes Association
    In a stroke, the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted by a blocked blood vessel, and brain tissue is damaged. Typical warning signs of a stroke develop suddenly and can include: - weakness or numbness on one side of your body -... More
  3. Discovery Health
     
    Discovery Health answered:

    Knowing the symptoms of stroke is important because prompt treatment is essential to avoid brain damage.

    Even though ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes are different, their symptoms are similar. Here are the common symptoms of stroke:

    • Sudden numbness or weakness in the extremities or face
    • Sudden problems with comprehension or speech
    • Sudden issues with vision, such as blurry vision or blindness
    • Sudden issues with coordination, including difficulty walking or dizziness
    • Sudden severe headache
    • Sudden vomiting or nausea
    The main thing to remember is the sudden nature of stroke symptoms. The sudden onset is a huge tip-off that you may be suffering a stroke.

    Often, people ignore the symptoms of a stroke and hope it will go away. Unfortunately, this is a serious mistake.

    Once the symptoms appear, the clock has begun. Brain cells are dying, and for ischemic strokes, there is a very small window for some treatments. If someone goes to bed, hoping they can sleep off a sudden headache they are wasting valuable time.

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    Knowing the symptoms of stroke is important because prompt treatment is essential to avoid brain damage. Even though ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes are different, their symptoms are similar. Here are the common symptoms of stroke: Sudden numbness... More
  4.  Deb Cordes
     

    If you are having a stroke you may experience one or all of the following signs/symptoms. You may have sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body. This weakness can occur in the face or could be in either the arm or leg. You may experience a severe headache "worse you have ever had." You may experience dizziness and problems with your vision. You may have difficulty walking. You may have difficulty in speaking and your speech may be slurred. It is important to recognize any or all of the symptoms as the possibility that you are having a stroke. It is very important that you receive immediate medical attention by calling 911 or having someone call 911 for you. Receiving immediate attention is critical in reducing the amount of brain that is damaged.

    More Related Answers from Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)
    If you are having a stroke you may experience one or all of the following signs/symptoms. You may have sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body. This weakness can occur in the face or could be in either the arm or leg. You may... More
  5. Dr. Stuart Sealfon
     
    Use the acronym FAST to recognize stroke symptoms:

    Face: Uneven smile, facial droop/numbness, vision changes
    Arm: Arm and leg weakness and numbness, difficulty walking
    Speech: Slurred, inappropriate words; mute/inability to speak
    Time: Time is critical.

    Call 911 if you have any of these symptoms.
    More Related Answers from The Mount Sinai Medical Center
    Use the acronym FAST to recognize stroke symptoms: Face: Uneven smile, facial droop/numbness, vision changes Arm: Arm and leg weakness and numbness, difficulty walking Speech: Slurred, inappropriate words; mute/inability to speak Time: Time... More