A stroke can affect thinking, awareness, memory, and comprehension.
A person may suddenly appear confused, struggle to follow simple instructions, have difficulty understanding familiar situations, or behave in an unusual way.
They may also have trouble identifying objects, recognizing information, or communicating clearly.
Confusion has many possible causes, including infections, low blood sugar, medication effects, and other medical conditions. Nevertheless, sudden confusion can be a sign of a serious neurological emergency.
What to do: If confusion begins suddenly, particularly alongside facial weakness, speech problems, or difficulty walking, call emergency services immediately.
8. Sudden Dizziness or Loss of Coordination
Dizziness can occur for many reasons, including dehydration, inner-ear conditions, medication effects, and low blood pressure.
However, sudden dizziness accompanied by severe balance problems, double vision, difficulty speaking, or weakness may indicate a stroke, including one affecting the brainstem or cerebellum.
Some strokes do not produce the classic combination of facial drooping and arm weakness. This is one reason it is important to recognize a broader range of symptoms.
What to do: Seek emergency medical assistance if severe dizziness or loss of coordination develops suddenly, particularly when accompanied by other neurological changes.
Do not assume that every episode of dizziness is harmless simply because it does not involve a headache.
9. Difficulty Swallowing
Sudden difficulty swallowing, known medically as dysphagia, can occur when a stroke affects the muscles and neurological pathways involved in swallowing.
A person may cough when attempting to drink, struggle to swallow food, or feel that food or liquid is getting stuck. Swallowing difficulties can increase the risk of food or liquid entering the lungs.
Although swallowing problems have several possible causes, sudden onset alongside facial weakness, speech changes, or other neurological symptoms is particularly concerning.
What to do: Call emergency services if sudden swallowing difficulties occur with possible stroke symptoms. Do not give the person food, water, or medication by mouth while waiting for medical assessment, because swallowing may be unsafe.
10. Stroke Symptoms That Disappear After a Few Minutes
One of the most dangerous misconceptions about stroke is that symptoms are no longer serious if they disappear quickly.
A temporary episode of facial weakness, arm numbness, speech difficulty, or vision loss may be a transient ischemic attack, commonly called a TIA or a mini-stroke.
A TIA occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is temporarily disrupted. Its symptoms may resolve within minutes or hours, but the episode can signal an increased risk of a future stroke.
It is impossible to reliably distinguish a TIA from a stroke based on symptoms alone without medical evaluation.
What to do: Seek emergency medical assessment even if the symptoms disappear completely. Do not wait for another episode to occur.
Prompt evaluation can help identify the cause and determine what treatment may reduce the risk of a subsequent stroke.
Remember the FAST Stroke Warning Signs
One of the easiest ways to remember the main warning signs of a stroke is the FAST method.
F — Face: Does one side of the face droop when the person smiles?
A — Arms: Is one arm weak or unable to remain raised?
S — Speech: Is the person’s speech slurred, unusual, or difficult to understand?
T — Time: If any of these signs appear suddenly, call emergency services immediately.
Some stroke organizations also use an expanded approach that includes balance and eye symptoms, because strokes can cause sudden difficulty walking or changes in vision.
Remember that a person does not need to experience every symptom before a stroke becomes an emergency. Even one sudden, unexplained neurological symptom can be serious.
What Should You Do If You Suspect a Stroke?
Taking the correct action quickly can help prevent additional harm.
Call emergency services immediately. Explain the symptoms and state that you suspect a stroke. In Morocco, you can call Civil Protection at 15.
Record the time symptoms began. If you do not know the exact time, note when the person was last seen behaving normally. This information can influence which treatments are appropriate.
Do not drive the person yourself if emergency medical transport is available. Emergency personnel can begin assessing the situation and arrange appropriate care.
Do not give food, drinks, or oral medication. A stroke can affect swallowing, creating a risk of choking or aspiration.
Do not give aspirin unless a medical professional instructs you to do so. Some strokes involve bleeding in the brain, and aspirin can worsen bleeding.
Stay with the person. Help them remain in a safe position, monitor their breathing and responsiveness, and follow the emergency dispatcher’s instructions.
If the person becomes unconscious and is not breathing normally, follow the dispatcher’s instructions for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use an automated external defibrillator if available.
What Increases the Risk of a Stroke?
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