Stroke symptoms can vary depending on the type and location of the stroke, but common signs include:
Common symptoms
- Sudden numbness or weakness: This often affects the face, arm, or leg, particularly on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion or trouble speaking: Patients may experience difficulty in understanding or producing speech
- Sudden trouble seeing: This can occur in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance: These symptoms can indicate a stroke, particularly if they occur suddenly
- Sudden severe headache: A headache with no known cause can be a sign of a stroke
Specific symptoms
- Aphasia: Language deficits, including difficulty in understanding or producing speech, can occur, particularly in strokes affecting the left middle cerebral artery territory
- Central poststroke pain: This is a type of neuropathic pain that can occur after a stroke, particularly if the stroke affects certain areas of the brain
- Transient isolated brainstem symptoms: Symptoms such as isolated vertigo, dysarthria, or diplopia can precede a posterior circulation stroke
In conclusion, stroke symptoms can vary widely, but common signs include sudden numbness or weakness, confusion or trouble speaking, trouble seeing, trouble walking or dizziness, and severe headache. Specific symptoms can include aphasia, central poststroke pain, and transient isolated brainstem symptoms. Rapid recognition and early medical intervention are crucial in the management of stroke