The term stroke, which comes from the Latin stroke, is used to describe the consequences of the sudden interruption of blood flow to a part of the brain (cerebral ischemia, which represents 85% of cases) or the rupture of an artery or vein. cerebral (cerebral hemorrhage, the remaining 15% of cases). When blood does not arrive adequately, the function of the part of the brain that has been affected can be altered temporarily or permanently. Colloquially, stroke is also known as stroke, embolism, thrombosis or apoplexy.
Basically, there are two types of stroke: ischemic stroke or cerebral infarction, which is caused by obstruction of blood flow, and hemorrhagic stroke or cerebral hemorrhage, in which the rupture of a vessel causes the outflow of blood and compression of the structures of the central nervous system.
Patients with similar symptoms can develop stroke through different mechanisms. Identifying what caused the stroke is essential, since this will be the factor that determines the type of treatment in the acute phase and in the therapeutic plan to avoid its repetition.
When a stroke occurs, a process begins that urgently requires medical attention. That is why knowing the symptoms to be able to identify the problem as quickly as possible is essential. Most brain functions are well localized in different areas. Therefore, the symptoms of a stroke depend more on the location of the alteration in blood flow than on its cause.
Below is a list of symptoms that should raise the suspicion of suffering a possible stroke:
1) Inability to speak
One of the clearest signs of a possible stroke is difficulty expressing oneself or even reaching the point of not being able to articulate a single word. This inability to speak may appear when trying to address a person or when engaging in a conversation and trying to understand what the other interlocutors are saying.
2) Sudden language problems
Another similar symptom is being able to speak, but being unable to construct logical and understandable sentences. Affectation in the brain can cause these problems that result in the need to make a great effort to say simple words or phrases and the inability to understand the people who speak to us.
3) Difficulty moving the limbs
Stroke affects the neurons of the brain and the normal functioning of the muscles, since the orders that the brain sends through the nervous system can be affected. A very common symptom of stroke is a feeling of numbness in the arms and legs and clumsiness when moving the extremities.
4) Loss of sensation on one side of the body
Another symptom that refers to a possible stroke is the loss of sensitivity or strength on only one side of the body. Depending on the affected region of the brain, it will be one side or the other that will experience this sudden loss of strength and the ability to react to external stimuli.
5) Vision problems
Sometimes, a stroke causes discomfort in one or both eyes that makes vision difficult. This is a symptom shared with other health disorders so it is not a sure indicator of having had a stroke.
6) Memory problems and disorientation
Memory loss is one of the most common symptoms of a stroke, as is the feeling of disorientation and confusion that suddenly appears.
7) Loss of notion of time and space
The confusion caused by the stroke in many cases leads to the loss of the notion of time and, sometimes, of space. The patient does not know where he is nor what day he lives.
8) Suddenly, the mouth appears crooked
One of the easiest symptoms to identify with stroke is a crooked mouth that appears suddenly. The patient cannot smile or move his mouth naturally. If this symptom appears, it is urgent to get medical attention.