For every minute that a stroke victim goes untreated from obstructed blood flow to the brain, roughly two million nerve cells and 14 billion nerve-cell connections in the brain die from lack or nourishment.Not surprisingly, someone who is suffering a stroke is at risk for permanent problems with movement, speech, memory and many other body functions.

Consequently, there is an urgent need for rapid treatment of someone who is experiencing a stroke, and by extension, great importance of recognizing the symptoms of an impending stroke. The following are some of the best ways to identify the onset of a stroke, so that immediate action can be taken on behalf of the victim:

Numbness or weakness

If someone is experiencing sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms, or legs, it may be a signal that stroke has either happened already, or is about to. This is especially true when only one side of the body is affected by the numbness.

Confusion or dizziness

When a person exhibits sudden confusion or difficulty understanding what’s being said, or has difficulty speaking clearly, this can be a warning sign of stroke. Dizziness or lack of balance and coordination are additional warning signs, and these may be demonstrated through sudden difficulties with walking and other normal activities. Stroke symptoms can also be characterized by problems with blurred vision, or problems seeing with one or both eyes, where no such problems existed before.

Sudden unexplained headaches

Headache can be from a variety of causes, but may be an indicator of a stroke if it is extremely painful and/or far more intense than a typical benign headache someone might experience. They are also very sudden occurrences, seemingly coming from nowhere to become very powerful in a short period of time.

How to determine if someone has suffered a stroke

If you suspect someone may have undergone a stroke, there are a few ways you can try to verify it. By asking the person to smile, you can check for droopiness of the facial features on one side or the other. Ask the person to raise both arms over the head, and observe whether one side or the other appears to be weakened. You can check for slurred speech or difficulty in speaking by asking them to repeat a simple sentence, such as “I enjoy watching television.” If the person has a hard time complying with any one of these requests, you should dial 911 for emergency treatment immediately.

Importance of fast identification and action

Two out of every three people who experience a stroke sustain some kind of permanent disability, either of speech, mobility or memory loss. Mild strokes might cause a loss of one leg or arm, and major strokes may disable a person completely. The parts of the brain affected, and the devastation to nerves and nerve cells cannot be rejuvenated – once they die, nerves and nerve-cell connections cannot be restored by medical means. Every second that a stroke goes undiagnosed, and the victim receives no treatment, brain cells are dying and the victim is losing more and more functionality.

For more information or for a physician referral, please call 305-674-CARE (2273) or visit www.msmc.com.