General
A stroke is a serious disease that affects the brain. There is either bleeding in the brain or a lack of blood supply due to a blocked blood vessel. As a result, parts of the brain are no longer supplied with sufficient blood and, depending on the location of the damage, typical symptoms occur. The signs of a stroke thus vary depending on the location of the affected brain region.
Typical signs
The correct interpretation of the symptoms as signs of a stroke is essential, as early treatment of a stroke can save valuable brain tissue. If a stroke is suspected, an emergency doctor should therefore be called as soon as possible. Rapid treatment in a hospital with a so-called “stroke unit” can help to save brain tissue and eliminate the signs of a stroke.
The signs of a stroke can recede in the course of treatment of a stroke, but they can also remain for life. Depending on the region of the brain affected, typical symptoms of a stroke can develop. The symptoms begin at the point when the affected cells in the brain no longer have sufficient oxygen available.
Typical here is that the symptoms occur only on one side and on the arm or leg, as well as on the face. Paralysis and loss of strength in individual parts of the body are common. In the face, paralysis of individual muscles (see: muscle weakness, foot lifter paresis) can be characteristically manifested by unilateral hanging corners of the mouth.
Also, drooping eyelids or the inability to frown frequently occur. Furthermore, visual disturbances and even blindness (see: Blindness due to stroke) are common as symptoms of a stroke. If certain muscles are affected by the stroke, which are responsible for normal speech control, speech may become blurred, unclear or even completely lost.
If dizziness and loss of balance occur suddenly, they should be understood as a possible expression of an acute stroke. For example, people affected can often suddenly lose their balance when walking or sitting. Problems of comprehension and an inability to express oneself correctly are also possible signs of an acute stroke.
Paralysis and loss of strength in individual parts of the body are common. In the face, paralysis of individual muscles (see: muscle weakness, foot lifter paresis) can be characteristically noticeable by unilaterally hanging corners of the mouth. Also, drooping eyelids or the inability to frown frequently occur.
Furthermore, visual disturbances and even blindness (see: Blindness due to stroke) are common as symptoms of a stroke. If certain muscles are affected by the stroke, which are responsible for normal speech control, speech may become blurred, unclear or even completely lost. If dizziness and loss of balance occur suddenly, they should be understood as a possible expression of an acute stroke.
For example, people affected can often suddenly lose their balance when walking or sitting. Problems of comprehension and an inability to express oneself correctly are also possible signs of an acute stroke. Depending on the region of the brain affected, typical symptoms of a stroke can develop.
The symptoms begin when the affected cells in the brain no longer have sufficient oxygen available. Typical here is that the symptoms occur only on one side and on the arm or leg, as well as on the face. Paralysis and loss of strength in individual parts of the body are common.
In the face, paralysis of individual muscles (see: muscle weakness, foot lifter paresis) can be characteristically manifested by unilateral hanging corners of the mouth. Also, drooping eyelids or the inability to frown frequently occur. Furthermore, visual disturbances and even blindness (see: Blindness due to stroke) are common as symptoms of a stroke.
If certain muscles are affected by the stroke, which are responsible for normal speech control, speech may become blurred, unclear or even completely lost. If dizziness and loss of balance occur suddenly, they should be understood as a possible expression of an acute stroke. For example, people affected can often suddenly lose their balance when walking or sitting.Problems of understanding and inability to express oneself correctly are also possible signs of an acute stroke.
Paralysis and loss of strength of individual body regions often occur. In the face, paralysis of individual muscles (see: muscle weakness, foot lifter paresis) can be characteristically noticeable by unilaterally hanging corners of the mouth. Also, drooping eyelids or the inability to frown frequently occur.
Furthermore, visual disturbances and even blindness (see: Blindness due to stroke) are common as symptoms of a stroke. If certain muscles are affected by the stroke, which are responsible for normal speech control, speech may become blurred, unclear or even completely lost. In the case of sudden dizziness and loss of balance, this should be understood as a possible expression of an acute stroke.
For example, people affected can often suddenly lose their balance when walking or sitting. Problems of comprehension and an inability to express oneself correctly are also possible signs of an acute stroke. The eyes are a frequent localization of the first signs of a stroke.
Particularly common are visual disturbances, which can manifest themselves in the form of double images, blurred “spots” or a total failure of the affected eye. Unlike most other signs of stroke, both sides are often affected by the failures. Thus, only one half of the visual field on both sides may be affected. In addition to impaired vision, a stroke can also result in a drooping eyelid on one side.
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