Picking up a stroke early aids in preventing brain damage and complications associated with the condition. Looking at a person’s face can help you understand if they are getting a stroke.
So, how does a face of a stroke patient look like? Read on to know more about it.
A Word About Stroke
A stroke is a condition where a blood vessel supplying to the brain ruptures or is blocked by a blood clot. In either case, a part of the brain cannot receive the nutrients and oxygen required for its survival. And if the blood supply is not retrieved, that part of the brain may be damaged, resulting in various complications.
It is thus crucial to identify a stroke early and treat it immediately. One of the common symptoms can be understood by looking at the person’s face.
What To Look For On The Face?
Symptoms of stroke appear on the part of the body supplied by the damaged brain areas.
F.A.S.T. is an easy way to identify the immediate signs of a stroke.
Face: The face droops on one side or feels numb. You can ask the person to smile. The smile of someone with a stroke is not symmetrical, and lips droop on one side of the face.
In addition to the face, other signs include:
Arm Weakness: The arm may feel numb and/or weak. Ask the person to raise both arms. The affected arm drifts downwards.
Speech Difficulty: The person may find it difficult to speak or have slurred speech. You can also tell them to speak a sentence such as “the sky is blue.” A person with a stroke will find it challenging to say the sentence clearly.
T in the acronym indicates timely intervention. If you feel that someone has a stroke, seek medical care immediately.
Other symptoms of a stroke are:
- Confusion or lack of responsiveness
- Vision problems such as double or blurred vision
- Loss of balance and trouble walking
- A sudden, severe headache
- Dizziness
- Seizures
- Vomiting or nausea
- Numbness and weakness in one side of the body
Recovery
Once a stroke is managed, the person can recover within days, weeks, or months, depending on their condition. They can return to their normal activities without needing external aid in most cases. Medicines and physiotherapy aid in faster recovery from a stroke.
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