If you thought stroke just attacked old
people then think again. Even doctors admit that stroke can attack you
at any age. The most recent example of how Stroke can kill youngsters is
that of Katie May aged 34, a well established social media star who
died from stroke in February this year.
In what could be termed as simply
shocking, Katie May simply collapsed during a photo shoot and died soon
after in hospital. Although she thought she had a pinched nerve, she had
actually died from stroke. Here’s what you need to know as the early
warning signs of stroke despite of being young.
1 Impaired, Blurred or Loss of Vision
The onset of stroke can cause impaired
or blurred vision in either one or both eyes. Although it isn’t as
pronounced as loss of sensation, still 44% of people who suffered stroke
in the UK mentioned that loss of vision is a strong symptom of stroke.
2 Sudden Bouts of Dizziness and Headache
According to David Newman, MD, who is
also an Associate Professor in the Neurology Department of John Hopkins
University, dizziness is a strong warning sign of possible stroke
especially in women below 45. If you feel sudden dizziness or head
swings and blackouts, stop whatever it is you’re doing and seek medical
help
3 Incoherent language
The earliest warning of stroke is when
you start to talk gibberish. At first it may be small examples of
misconception of time or the day. You may start talking incoherently as
in delirium. This may graduate to total loss of the ability to speak and
appear in a state of confusion.
Sudden Weakness in Limbs
A sudden feeling of weakness or limpness
in an arm or a leg could be a strong sign of stroke. As in the case of
Katie May, who felt she pinched her nerve instead. This could lead to
paralysis and collapse. In most cases the paralysis will be related to
the side of the brain which suffers the stroke. A good test of stroke is
to extend your arms outwards palms facing up for 10 seconds, if one arm
falls it shows a sign of muscle weakness.
5 Pain in One Side of Your Face
Pain is not a common symptom of stroke,
however, if you experience sudden pain in any of your limbs or
especially on one side of your face; this is a clear early warning sign
of stroke,
6 Headache and Migraines
A sharp painful headache is a common
stroke indicator. A study once showed that among 588 volunteers, those
who have experienced a sharp headache with the attack of stroke were
mostly youngsters having a medical history of migraines. It also
concluded that women were more prone than men to stroke in such
circumstances. If you experience such a symptom, an MRI should be
carried out immediately.
7 Facial Weakness or Droopy Face
If you find one side of your face
suddenly droopy or even semi paralyzed, this is an extremely large
warning that you could be having a stroke
8 Fatigue
Studies also revealed that among
ischaemic stroke victims, women were more likely than men to experience
signs of exhaustion, confusion, disorientation and fatigue. An alerted
mental state was also a related indicator of stroke.
9 Hiccups
This warning sign affects mostly women
and can result in a sudden bout of constant hiccupping. This is due to
the stroke attacking the breathing center of the brain.
Shortness of Breath and Palpitations
When stroke attacks you, you could be
fatigued or you may suddenly experience shortness of breath due to the
difficulty in breathing. This also leads to heart palpitations or an
increased heartbeat due to lack of oxygen. Although predominant in
women, still this is one early warning sign of stroke that should never
be ignored. It warrants immediate medical attention.
In order to prevent stroke it’s
mandatory to lead a healthy lifestyle with both physical activity and
rest. One should also maintain a healthy weight and reduce alcohol
consumption. Smoking is a big contributor to stroke in youngsters and
should be stopped immediately.
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