{"id":2788,"date":"2019-01-14T04:30:10","date_gmt":"2019-01-14T04:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=2788"},"modified":"2021-04-29T18:11:30","modified_gmt":"2021-04-29T18:11:30","slug":"12-early-warning-signs-of-a-mini-stroke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/12-early-warning-signs-of-a-mini-stroke\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Early Warning Signs of a Mini Stroke"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Each year there are around 795,000 people in the United States that suffer from a stroke. The American Heart Association states that strokes are the number five cause of death in the United States and that strokes kill almost 130,000 people every year. In addition, strokes are a leading cause of long term disability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A TIA or transient Ischemic Attack is often called a \u201cwarning stroke,\u201d or a \u201cmini-stroke.\u201d Strokes can be quite dangerous and for this reason, it is important to recognize the warning signs that a stroke may be occurring. A stroke is caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain. This can cause a person to lose movement in one or both sides of the body. Here is a list of early warning signs that a person may experience when having a mini-stroke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Face Drooping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the first signs that a person may be experiencing a mini-stroke is that one side of their face begins to droop. If you think that someone you are with may be having a stroke <\/a>a quick way to tell is to ask them to smile. If they smile and their mouth is uneven it could be a sign that they are having a stroke. If you are alone and start to feel a bit funny, go to a mirror and try to smile. If the sides of your mouth are not even, you need to call for help right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Facial drooping is one of the first signs of a stroke and you need to get medical help as soon as possible. Facial drooping can also be a symptom of Bell’s\u2019 Palsy, which is another syndrome that can cause the face to appear droopy. No matter what if you experience this symptom, getting medical help right away is important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Arm Weakness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another sign that a person may be experiencing a mini-stroke<\/a> or a full-blown stroke is that they will lose strength in their arms. If you think a person may be experiencing a stroke, ask them to raise both of their arms above their heads. In some cases, they will be able to lift both of their arms up, but one or both may start to drift down. If a person is having a stroke they may not be able to lift their arms up at all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people may only be able to lift one of their arms up. If a person that you are with cannot lift their arms above their head without one of them starting to drift downward and they are experiencing any of the other symptoms on this list it is important to seek medical attention right away because chances are high that they are having a stroke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Difficulty Speaking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are with someone and they suddenly are hard to understand, it could be a sign of a stroke. A person who is having a mini-stroke or a stroke may suddenly find it very difficult to talk. It may sound like they have been drinking or that they are simply intoxicated. The speech could be extremely slurred and difficult to understand. When someone appears to be fine, but then cannot talk and is experiencing facial drooping, chances are high that a mini-stroke or a stroke is occurring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to call 911 right away to get them the medical attention that they need. The faster that this person gets medical attention, the more likely they are to recover from the stroke. The longer it takes to get them the care that they need the more damage that can be done. Calling for medical help is extremely important in this situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Weakness in the Body<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A person who is experiencing a stroke may suddenly become quite weak. The weakness <\/a>could be in their arms, legs, face, or any area of the body. Typically if a person is having a stroke the weakness will be more severe on one side of the body. In fact, a person may appear to be drooping to one side. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is an almost sure sign that the person is experiencing a stroke and they need medical attention right away. If a person you are with starts to droop to one side and is unable to communicate what is wrong, getting them medical attention right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strokes are caused by a lack of blood to the brain. When this occurs the body will begin sending out signals right away. Areas of the brain will not function properly. The longer that this goes on the more damage that is done. Medical intervention is necessary to prevent as much damage as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Confusion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Someone who is experiencing a stroke may suddenly become quite confused. The reason for this is because the brain is not getting the blood <\/a>that it needs in order to operate at its normal capacity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The brain will start by shutting down certain areas of the body. This may cause a person to become quite confused. They may not know where they are or what they are doing. This may be accompanied by having difficulty speaking. They may not be able to tell you who they are because they simply are confused. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, they may start to lose feeling in their extremities and may droop. Sudden confusion can occur at any time during a stroke and is a definite sign of a stroke. Once again, medical attention should be provided as soon as possible as this is the only way to prevent further damage to the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Vision Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are some people who have a mini-stroke that report that their vision suddenly became very blurry or that they started seeing double. This can cause a person to become quite dizzy <\/a>and they may even feel sick to their stomach. Loss of vision occurs because the brain is not getting enough blood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A blockage in the blood vessels to the brain can cause this to occur. If you experience sudden vision loss, blurred vision, or double vision, it could be a sign that a mini-stroke or a stroke is occurring. If you are alone, call for help right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You want to make sure that you see a doctor as soon as possible to rule out any medical issues including a mini-stroke. Anyone that has any of the symptoms listed for a stroke needs to report these symptoms to a doctor as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Headaches and Dizziness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When your brain is not getting enough blood it can cause you to experience pain. While everyone gets headaches from time to time, someone who has been experiencing frequent headaches should discuss this with their doctor. Frequent and severe headaches <\/a>could be the sign of a mini-stroke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While a mini-stroke may not cause a person to experience hardly any symptoms at all, it is important to know if a person is having these mini-strokes as each one can cause permanent damage. If you are having any of the symptoms listed or if you simply have frequent headaches or feel dizzy often, it could be the sign of a mini-stroke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should report all of these symptoms to your doctor and ask to be checked for signs that a stroke has occurred. There are many people who have mini-strokes and do not even realize it. This can be quite dangerous, which is why it is worth asking about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Medical Care<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While seeking medical care is not necessarily a symptom of a stroke<\/a>, it is worth discussing as seeking medical attention right away is the only way to prevent further damage from occurring. If you are having the symptoms of a stroke, call 911 immediately and get yourself to the emergency room as fast as possible to be evaluated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you arrive at the ER you are going to be asked about when you first started experiencing symptoms. This is important because taking a clot-busting medicine within the first three hours of experiencing stroke symptoms can greatly reduce the chances of you being left with a long term disability from the stroke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it can be difficult to remember exactly when you started experiencing the symptoms it is important to try to get as close to the time as possible as this can help reduce the long term effects.
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9. Vertigo
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Dizzy spells are one of the initial signs of a mini-stroke. However, you can write dizziness off to numerous different reasons that aren\u2019t related to a stroke as well. TIA can lead to a condition known as \u201cVertigo,\u201d where the effect of dizzy spells intensifies to a stage where it turns into a feeling of the room spinning.
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Vertigo <\/a>typically occurs with a change in the position of the head. People who suffer from vertigo report a spinning or tilting feeling where they feel off-balance. This imbalance creates staggered walking and a bowlegged gait as the person struggles to remain upright.
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People experiencing a bout of vertigo may also experience other related symptoms that also occur in people suffering from a mini-stroke. If you notice dizziness in conjunction with vomiting, headache, or sweating, it may be a sign of an impending TIA. Symptoms of vertigo typically subside after anything from a few minutes to an hour, but people who are going through a mini-stroke may find that the feeling of dizziness keeps intensifying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Nausea and Vomiting
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People about to receive a mini-stroke may notice feelings of discomfort in their stomach and GI tract before the onset of the TIA event. Nausea <\/a>may start as an uncomfortable sensation and turn into severe pain as the stroke begins.
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Along with feelings of nausea, the affected individual may also notice an increase in the urge to vomit or dry heave. These regurgitation symptoms may include small amounts of bile entering the esophagus, causing heartburn. Nausea is an often overlooked symptom of a mini-stroke, as most people would expect there to be issues with the brain and cardiovascular system, not the gut.
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However, recent research suggests that our gut biomes, the trillions of live bacteria in your digestive system have connections to the nervous and respiratory systems. If you notice a sick feeling in your stomach, along with other signs of TIA, it\u2019s best to sit down and call for medical assistance.

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11. Shortness of Breath
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Most people attribute shortness of breath with problems occurring in the cardiovascular system. However, a mini-stroke can produce this effect as well. A stroke occurs when the brain does not receive enough blood to remain conscious, as a result, the patient blacks out and wakes up with next to no neurological damage.
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However, patients who undergo the signs of a mini-stroke in conjunction with shortness of breath may be facing a life-threatening event. If you notice shortness of breath along with any other symptoms in this guide, it\u2019s best to call for help immediately. Shortness of breath can make it hard to speak, and the stroke will further exacerbate the situation.
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The brain regulates our breathing and the interaction between our blood and the air that we breathe. Hemoglobin <\/a>levels, oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels, all play a role in delivering oxygen to the body. If you think that you may be having a mini-stroke, sit down and calm yourself. Stress tells the brain to increase the respiratory rate and may lead to a sensation of difficulty breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Inability to Walk
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People who experience a mini-stroke may find that along with their confusion and numbness, and they may lose their motor skills<\/a> as well. It\u2019s common for patients to lose their ability to walk before the stroke takes hold. Any attempt to stand up comes with feelings of light-headedness, and if the person decides to walk in this state, they may pass out.
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For those that are on their feet, they may feel a sense of disorientation that makes them stagger, similar to the effects of vertigo. People that lose their sense of balance should reach out for the person or structure next to them to gain support and call for assistance to sit down.
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Realizing that you are having a stroke and then experiencing an inability to walk correctly, can be a terrifying ordeal that exacerbates the other symptoms of a mini-stroke. Always remain as calm as you can and call for medical assistance.
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