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Recognise stroke symptoms early and seek immediate medical help to prevent brain damage

Early warning signs of cerebral stroke are often dismissed as they don’t arrive dramatically in the initial stages. In reality, the brain whispers before it screams. A physical blockage of oxygen and nutrients to the brain either due to a clot (ischemic stroke) or ruptures in a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke) is the reason for a stroke. A temporary clot can result in TIA (Transient ischemic attack) or a “mini stroke”. A Brain Stem stroke is caused by a specialised ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Dr. Niyas Thurakkal, Medical Director at Prayojana by Le Rehab (an ortho-neuro rehabilitation segment), Kerala, explains, “Contrary to layman’s belief that a stroke occurs in the heart, it is actually related to, and happens in the brain. Stroke is a disease affecting the arteries leading to and within the brain. This damages the tissues. And cells in that area of the brain, with interrupted blood supply, die within minutes. The longer it goes untreated, there is increased likelihood of lasting impairment.”

Symptoms & outcome

Stroke does give out symptoms which show up in the areas of our body controlled by the incapacitated cells of the brain. Loss of balance, slurred speech, numbness or drooping of one side of the face, weakness/numbness in one arm, and disorientation are the cautionary signals.

If immediate medical assistance is not rendered, this can lead to physical defects of paralysis, dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing food), rigid muscle movements, and severe exhaustion; cognitive defects like loss of memory, difficulty in speech and understanding, blind spots; emotional effects like depression, anxiety, mood swings and personality instabilities and fluctuations.