Stroke Symptoms and Treatment
Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the United States. Even if you don’t die, strokes are one of the causes of brain damage.
Strokes may cause language and speech problems, abnormally slow and cautious behavior, problems judging distances, impaired judgment and behavior, short-term memory loss and other memory problems, balance problems, and more. Therefore, it is extremely important that everyone know about the symptoms of strokes. If caught early, brain damage treatment can take place and the stroke victim can live an ordinary life.
The symptoms of strokes may include the following:
– Severe headaches that feel different from previous headaches;
– Problems with walking or balance;
– Trouble understanding simple statements or other forms of confusion;
– Trouble speaking;
– Vision changes; and
– Weakness, loss of movement, numbness or tingling in the face, arm or leg, particularly if concentrated on one side of the body.
It may be difficult for some people to tell if their symptoms are symptoms of a stroke or of another health problem. Strokes are particularly common among the elderly. Therefore, some people may confuse symptoms of a stroke for natural side effects of aging. Other people may think a stroke is another health problem by mistake. Mistaking a stroke for something that isn’t a stroke is a big problem, because it means that brain damage treatment has to begin later.
The most common sign that symptoms mean a stroke, as opposed to another health problem, is that they’re sudden-onset. Strokes usually happen suddenly or, at most, over the period of several hours. Therefore, the sudden inability to understand even simple sentences is a sign of a stroke, while a slow, long-term loss of this ability may be the sign of another health problem, such as Alzheimer’s. However, sometimes several smaller strokes may occur over time, which causes slower changes in thinking, behavior, balance and walking.
If you are concerned that you may have suffered a stroke, call 911 or other emergency services right away. Even if it is actually another health problem, it’s better not to take risks with your health. After all, you only have one life and one body; it’s your job to take care of it.
Even if you’ve suffered brain damage from a stroke, there is hope. The Florida Institute for Neurologic Rehabilitation is one of the largest and best institutions available for brain damage treatment. Their services for people who have suffered from strokes are unparalleled. In addition, they have help for families and victims of stroke and brain injury in the form of online education materials.