Understanding Stroke: Signs, Symptoms & When to Seek Help

A stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells begin to die within minutes, making stroke a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

Recognizing the Signs: Think FAST

The acronym FAST helps you remember the warning signs:

• F – Face drooping: Does one side of the face droop or feel numb? Ask the person to smile — is it uneven?
• A – Arm weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms — does one drift downward?
• S – Speech difficulty: Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand?
• T – Time to call emergency: If you observe any of these signs, call emergency services immediately.

Other Warning Signs

Beyond the FAST symptoms, watch for: - Sudden numbness or weakness in the leg - Sudden confusion or trouble understanding speech - Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes - Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance - Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Why Time Matters

Every minute counts during a stroke. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chances of recovery. Modern treatments like clot-busting medications (thrombolytics) and mechanical thrombectomy can significantly improve outcomes when administered within the critical time window.

Prevention Tips

• Control high blood pressure
• Maintain a healthy diet low in sodium and saturated fats
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
• Manage diabetes and high cholesterol
• Get regular health check-ups

At Daihika Multi Speciality Hospital, our neurology team is available 24/7 for stroke emergencies. Our state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities enable rapid diagnosis and treatment to give our patients the best possible outcomes.