1. What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when blood doesn't reach the brain or there is bleeding in the brain. There are two main types of stroke:
- Ischemic stroke : Occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes blocked, usually by a blood clot.
- Hemorrhagic stroke : Occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding in the brain.
Some of the main causes of stroke include:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
2. Signs of stroke everyone needs to know
2.1 Signs of movement
- Difficulty in moving; people with stroke cannot walk normally.
- Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body; you may notice when the person cannot lift an arm or leg.
- Loss of muscle control; the person cannot grasp or maintain balance well.
2.2 Language signs
- Difficulty speaking; the person may not speak clearly or be able to express themselves properly.
- Speech is unclear; the patient may only be able to pronounce a few simple words.
- Change in speech; they may speak faster or slower than usual.
2.3 Visual signs
- Sudden blurred or loss of vision in one or both eyes; this is a very serious sign.
- Difficulty seeing clearly; may not even be able to distinguish objects near or far.
- Feeling pain in the eye; can occur when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or ruptured.
2.4 Other signs
- Severe headache of unknown cause; this may be a sign of a brain hemorrhage.
- Dizziness and loss of balance; may be accompanied by a spinning sensation.
- Nausea or vomiting; often occurs when the brain does not receive enough oxygen.