What are the most common signs of a stroke and how should one react in case of an emergency?
February 23, 2024 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Emilia Klein
Dear Doctor,
My name is Ralf Walter and I am reaching out to you with an urgent question regarding stroke. There have been cases of strokes in my family, so I am concerned about my own risk and would like to be better informed.
I would like to know what the most common signs of a stroke are so that I can react quickly in case of emergency. So far, I have heard that sudden weakness or paralysis in arms and legs, speech disturbances, vision problems, sudden headaches, dizziness, and balance issues can be signs of a stroke. Is that correct? Are there any other symptoms I should watch out for?
I am also interested in knowing how to respond properly in case of an emergency. Should I immediately call emergency services or are there other measures I can take? I am worried that I may not act quickly enough in case of emergency and valuable time may be lost.
I hope you can answer these questions and help me improve my knowledge about strokes. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Ralf Walter
Dear Mr. Walter,
Thank you for your question regarding stroke. It is understandable that you are concerned about your own risk due to family history and want to be informed. It is important to know the signs of a stroke in order to react quickly in case of an emergency.
The symptoms you mentioned such as sudden weakness or paralysis in arms and legs, speech disturbances, vision problems, sudden headaches, dizziness, and balance issues are indeed common signs of a stroke. These symptoms can develop suddenly and without warning. Other possible signs of a stroke may include confusion, sudden vision changes in one or both eyes, numbness in the face or on one side of the body, severe headaches with no apparent cause, and difficulty walking.
In case of emergency, it is important to act quickly. If you or someone around you shows signs of a stroke, you should immediately call emergency services (112 in Germany). Time is crucial in the treatment of a stroke, as prompt medical care can minimize the consequences of a stroke. Call emergency services even if the symptoms appear temporary or improve. It is better to call emergency services too many times than to react too late.
To reduce the risk of a stroke, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes a balanced diet, regular physical activity, avoiding smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, and controlling risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels.
I hope I was able to answer your questions thoroughly and assist you. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Emilia Klein
