Symptoms
In the event of a stroke, a disturbance in the blood flow to blood vessels in the brain results in a reduced supply of blood and oxygen to downstream brain tissue. Since every section of the brain is responsible for a certain function of the body, depending on the location of the circulatory disorder, a wide variety of symptoms with varying degrees of severity can occur in the affected person, so-called neurological deficits. The characteristic symptoms of a cerebral stroke include hemiparesis or hemiplegia, weakness or paralysis of one side of the face (facial nerve palsy), weakness or paralysis of a single limb, or weakness or paralysis of one half of the face (facial nerve palsy), Sensitivity disorders of a limb or the entire half of the body (e.g.
numbness of a limb), visual disorders (e.g. loss of visual field or a reduction in vision) and speech disorders (unclear, blurred speech). Typically, the symptoms mentioned above appear all of a sudden “in one fell swoop”. In some cases, only unspecific symptoms may be present, such as dizziness, gait and postural insecurity (ataxia), headaches, confusion, drowsiness or unconsciousness, which makes it much more difficult to recognize a stroke.
The symptoms vary depending on where in the brain the stroke occurs. A stroke in the cerebellum, for example, shows up with quite different symptoms.
- By which symptoms can one recognize circulatory disorders in the brain?
- Visual disturbances after a stroke
A short-term occurrence of the characteristic symptoms, such as weakness or paralysis of a single limb, one half of the face or the entire body, as well as sensory disturbances of a limb or the entire body half, visual disturbances and speech disorders, is considered a harbinger of a stroke and, depending on the duration of the symptoms, is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke.
Both forms are characterized by the fact that after a certain period of time, the symptoms completely subside. By definition, a TIA is when the neurological deficits completely disappear within an hour, whereas a minor stroke means that the patient is free of symptoms within seven days. Signs of TIA or minor stroke should nevertheless be taken seriously, as the risk of suffering a stroke is increased by almost 20% after a TIA or minor stroke. TIA or minor strokes should be treated as the risk can be significantly reduced by appropriate therapy. The therapy of a TIA or minor stroke is similar to that of an ischemic stroke.