Know the Symptoms of a Stroke

Julian Whitaker, MD

If you suffer a stroke, your best hope for full recovery is to get to a hospital as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, while most people recognize the classic symptoms—paralysis on one side of the body or sudden loss of vision or speech—they are unfamiliar with more subtle signs of a stroke.

In a survey of Californians who had suffered strokes, the majority reported that their initial symptoms were less severe than the usual signs. Furthermore, they came on gradually over the course of 15 minutes or so, rather than all at once. Therefore, they did not connect these symptoms to stroke, nor did they seek immediate treatment.

Learn to recognize the early symptoms of stroke, and seek medical attention right away.

Early Signs of a Stroke

• Dizziness
• Dim or blurred vision
• Numbness or tingling in the mouth or cheeks
• Difficulty speaking or swallowing
• Weakness in the legs and arms
• Headache in the back of the head
• Nausea and vomiting

Recommendation

• For information on stroke recovery and rehabilitation at the Whitaker Wellness Institute, contact a Patient Services Representative at (866) 944-8253 or click here.

Modified from Health & Healing with permission from Healthy Directions, LLC. Photocopying, reproduction, or quotation strictly prohibited without written permission from the publisher. To subscribe to Health & Healing, click here.