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Most of us are familiar with the common symptoms of stroke, such as sudden numbness, confusion, or difficulty speaking. But do you know that strokes can also present in less obvious ways?
A stroke, sometimes referred to as a “brain attack,” occurs when — at least in the case of ischemic strokes — blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off, causing brain cells to die. This can lead to lasting damage, disability, or even death.
As a physical therapist, I’ve worked with many adults who have experienced a stroke and helped them during their recovery journey. While strokes are not uncommon, their effects can be minimized with early detection and treatment.
Understanding the signs and symptoms of severe health conditions like stroke becomes increasingly vital as we age.
In this article, we’ll explore some lesser-known stroke symptoms and offer practical advice on what to do about them. By staying informed and ready to respond, you can better protect yourself and others from the damage caused by a stroke.
In the most basic terms, a stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted, resulting in damage to brain cells. The effects of a stroke on the body and brain can be severe and permanent, depending on where and how severe the damage is.
These effects can range from mild to severe physical disability and memory and emotional difficulties. In some cases, they can be fatal.1
Having worked with many adults recovering from a stroke, I can confidently say that one of the most important factors is knowing the signs of a stroke to help get treatment faster.
There are a few tell-tale signs most commonly associated with a stroke. These include face drooping or numbness, especially on one side; arm weakness or numbness, often coupled with difficulty lifting the arm; and speech difficulties, such as slurring, inability to speak, or difficulty understanding speech. These symptoms often occur suddenly and can be obvious and alarming or somewhat subdued.
Remember the acronym BE FAST, a quick and effective way to remember the significant signs of a stroke:
These symptoms are the body’s signaling that something is seriously wrong. If you or someone around you experiences these symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately. Every second counts regarding stroke treatment – the faster you get to a hospital, the more likely you are to minimize damage and have a better outcome.4
Many of the patients that I’ve worked with after a stroke had their stroke identified by a friend or family member – this means that you may be the person to recognize that your friend or family member is having a stroke and the person to call 911.
However, strokes can sometimes present with less common but equally important symptoms. These are often overlooked, ignored, or mistaken for other conditions, delaying necessary, time-sensitive treatment.
A stroke is a serious medical condition that requires immediate attention. However, its symptoms can often be mistaken for other health issues, leading to a delay in treatment.
This is because some stroke symptoms are considered unusual and not widely known. Understanding and recognizing these lesser-known makes getting immediate help and preventing further complications easier.
A stroke can affect the brain’s ability to coordinate movement, resulting in dizziness, loss of balance, or trouble walking.5
If you suddenly feel dizzy or lose your balance, it cannot be dismissed as mere fatigue or aging. These could be signs of a stroke.
Another unusual symptom of a stroke is sudden vision problems. You may experience blurred vision, double vision, or even blindness in one or both eyes.
These vision issues occur when a stroke interferes with the part of the brain that controls our eye movements and visual processing.
While gradual changes to your eyesight are important to address and should be looked at by a trained professional as you notice them, vision problems caused by a stroke are sudden and often profound. If your vision changes suddenly, get help immediately.
A sudden, severe headache with no apparent cause could be a warning sign of a stroke. This type of headache is often intense, unlike any headache you’ve had before, and it can occur without any other typical stroke symptoms.6
Surprisingly, sudden nausea, vomiting, or hiccups can also be a sign of a stroke.
Although these symptoms are less common, they can occur when a stroke affects the base of the brain, where the centers for vomiting and hiccupping are located.7
Early identification of these unusual stroke symptoms can significantly increase the chances of successful recovery — every minute counts when it comes to stroke treatment. The sooner medical intervention is initiated, the better the outcome can be.
It’s critical to remember that these symptoms often appear suddenly and without warning. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention, even if the symptoms seem to go away. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when considering the health of your brain.
When it comes to the symptoms of a stroke, different factors like age, gender, and certain health conditions can change how a stroke presents itself. Let’s cover a few examples to help you feel prepared to catch these symptoms early.
Women may experience stroke symptoms that are more subtle or vague than those typically associated with stroke. This can be due to things like hormonal changes, pregnancy, and the use of some birth control medications, which may increase a woman’s risk of stroke.8
In addition to the common signs of a stroke, women can experience chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, or heart palpitations. Behavioral changes, such as sudden agitation or mood swings, can also occur. Unusual physical symptoms may include pain in the face, arm, leg, or abdomen.9
Aging increases our risk of stroke, especially after the age of 65. This is typically because older adults often have more pre-existing conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease, which further increase the risk of significant medical events like stroke.
When an older adult experiences a stroke, the symptoms may lean more toward cognitive or emotional changes. For example, they may display memory loss, confusion, or disorientation.
They might also show changes in mood, such as depression, apathy, or a lack of interest. More extreme personality changes, such as paranoia or impulsiveness, can also be signs of a stroke.
Certain health conditions, particularly heart disease and diabetes, significantly elevate the risk of stroke. Heart diseases, such as atrial fibrillation and heart valve defects, often lead to the formation of blood clots in the heart, which can then travel to the brain and cause a stroke.
Similarly, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes heighten stroke risk due to the potential damage high blood sugar levels can cause to blood vessels and nerves.
Managing these conditions is critical for reducing stroke risk. For heart disease, this may involve regular cardiac monitoring, medications like blood thinners and lifestyle changes to support heart health. For diabetes, controlling blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and medication is key.
Regular medical check-ups are essential for both conditions to monitor and manage any changes that could increase stroke risk.
Some varieties of stroke are less common and, as a result, are less well known. Here are two unusual stroke varieties and the symptoms to watch out for:
Eye stroke, or retinal artery occlusion, is a rare stroke that directly affects vision. It disrupts the blood supply to the retina, the area in the back of the eye that captures light. The most notable symptom of an eye stroke is sudden, painless vision loss in one eye, which can be partial or complete.
One of my previous patients is a survivor of an eye stroke. While he was not experiencing any other symptoms, he was still immediately seen for treatment and monitored in the hospital for several days. This is because an eye stroke can be a warning sign of a more significant stroke in the brain, which needs to be treated quickly to prevent permanent vision loss or blindness.
Just as an eye stroke affects vision, a spinal stroke affects our body’s movements. Put simply, spinal stroke is another rare type of stroke that disrupts the blood supply to the spinal cord.
The hallmark symptom of a spinal stroke is sudden, severe back or neck pain, followed by numbness or weakness below the level of the injury. Like any other type of stroke, a spinal stroke requires immediate medical attention to prevent further damage or complications.
Keep in mind that each person is unique, and stroke symptoms can vary dramatically from person to person. If you or a loved one experiences any unusual symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek immediate medical help. Remember, a quick reaction equates to a life saved, and early treatment can make a significant difference in recovery.
Factors such as the severity of the stroke, overall health, and motivation significantly shape the recovery journey.
But before delving into the recovery process, it’s essential to understand what happens during the critical phase of acute stroke care, as prompt and appropriate treatment can vastly improve outcomes.
When a stroke is suspected, an immediate medical response is vital. Since most strokes are ischemic, getting treatment within three hours of symptom onset allows for the use of specialized medicines, leading to more positive outcomes.
Immediately calling 911 when stroke symptoms are recognized ensures that emergency medical services can provide life-saving care en route to the hospital. This often includes directing the patient to specialized stroke centers for prompt treatment.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the medical team conducts a thorough assessment, including reviewing the patient’s medical history and determining when the symptoms started. Brain imaging, such as CT scans or MRIs, is crucial to identify the type of stroke – ischemic (caused by a clot) or hemorrhagic (caused by bleeding).
Treatment varies based on the stroke type. For ischemic strokes, swift administration of clot-dissolving medications like tPA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator) within a three-hour window can be life-saving.
In cases of hemorrhagic stroke, the focus shifts to controlling bleeding and reducing pressure in the brain, which may involve medications, surgery, or endovascular procedures.
Rehabilitation typically begins in the hospital as soon as it’s safe, sometimes as early as a day or two after the stroke. The aim is to facilitate the transition home and reduce the risk of another stroke.
Recovery can range from a total return to pre-stroke functions to enduring some level of disability. Rehabilitation efforts are tailored to individual needs, encompassing physical, speech, and occupational therapies.
Long-term management is equally crucial. Addressing underlying health issues like heart disease, hypertension, or diabetes is essential in preventing future strokes. Lifestyle changes, medications, and possibly surgery form part of a comprehensive stroke prevention strategy.
Generally, post-stroke, the path to regaining lost skills involves various types of therapy. These include physical, occupational, speech, and cognitive therapy. Each type of therapy serves a specific purpose in the recovery process.
For instance, physical therapy helps improve muscle strength and coordination, which is vital for regaining mobility.
Conversely, occupational therapy focuses on improving daily activities such as eating, dressing, and bathing. Speech therapy aids in regaining lost speaking abilities, while cognitive therapy helps with memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.
Having helped patients who are recovering from stroke through their physical therapy, I can attest to how unique each person’s recovery process truly is. From week to week and even day to day, treatment goals can change drastically depending on the most pressing symptoms and physical skills that require the most work.
As a physical therapist, I’ve observed firsthand how crucial lifestyle changes are in reducing the risk of strokes. Here a few of the key areas to address when focusing on stroke prevention:
High blood pressure, cholesterol, and uncontrolled blood sugar are significant stroke risk factors. If necessary, regular monitoring and management through diet, exercise, and medication are essential.
This includes reducing sodium intake, avoiding high-cholesterol foods, and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, especially for people with diabetes.
Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption both increase stroke risk. Quitting smoking is one of the most effective measures, with immediate health benefits. Similarly, moderating alcohol intake is vital, ideally limiting it to one drink per day for women and two for men.
Regular physical activity, such as brisk walking or cycling, and maintaining a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains significantly reduces stroke risk.
Exercise also aids in maintaining a healthy weight, which is crucial in preventing strokes.
Regular check-ups are essential for early detection and managing stroke risk factors. They ensure timely intervention for any health concerns that could increase stroke risk.
Incorporating these lifestyle modifications lowers the risk of stroke and enhances overall health and well-being. As individuals, we have the power to make choices every day that can lead to a healthier life and significantly lower our stroke risk.
Living after a stroke brings unique challenges and opportunities for recovery and adaptation. The journey is highly individual, but several common elements are crucial in enhancing the quality of life and facilitating recovery for those affected. Alongside the therapies mentioned above, here are some areas of attention.
Recovering from a stroke is not just a physical process. The emotional and psychological impact can be significant. Support from family, friends, healthcare professionals, and support groups is crucial. Counseling or therapy can also be beneficial in dealing with the emotional aftermath of a stroke.
Post-stroke, it’s often necessary to make lifestyle changes to prevent future strokes and manage ongoing health. This might include dietary changes, regular exercise appropriate for the individual’s abilities, and continued management of medical conditions like hypertension or diabetes.
Making modifications to the living environment can significantly improve safety and independence. This may involve installing grab bars in the bathroom, using assistive devices for mobility, or rearranging furniture to accommodate mobility limitations.
Leveraging community resources like stroke survivor groups, rehabilitation centers, and home health services can provide additional support. Many communities offer programs specifically designed for stroke survivors, which can be invaluable in recovery.
Engagement in meaningful activities and hobbies is important for mental well-being. It’s beneficial for stroke survivors to stay as active and involved as possible through social activities, hobbies, or volunteering.
By addressing these aspects, individuals who have experienced a stroke can recover more effectively and improve their overall quality of life.
In my practice, I emphasize the importance of a holistic approach to post-stroke living, encompassing physical recovery, emotional well-being, and lifestyle adjustments. Taking the health of your brain and body seriously is the most effective way to ensure the best possible outcomes for stroke survivors.
Understanding and quickly responding to stroke symptoms can significantly affect outcomes. Strokes manifest in various ways, with some symptoms being less known but equally critical. Immediate medical response and accurate diagnosis are pivotal in stroke care. Recovery is a personal journey, often involving diverse therapies and lifestyle changes.
Additionally, emotional support is just as important as physical treatment in navigating the challenges of post-stroke recovery. This comprehensive approach is critical to enhancing quality of life and preventing future strokes.
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