What are the warning signs of a stroke?
Nov 13, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Introduction
In general, stroke is also known as cerebrovascular accident. Warning signs of stroke may include hemiplegia, aphasia, homonymous hemianopia, dysphagia, and impaired consciousness. If any discomfort occurs, timely medical attention is recommended. Specific analysis is as follows: Dysphagia—delayed or ineffective initiation of the swallowing reflex causes food to remain in the pharynx, leading to coughing, choking, and aspiration. Patients often experience slowed eating speed and reduced food intake.
Stroke generally refers to cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Warning signs of stroke may include hemiplegia, aphasia, homonymous hemianopia, dysphagia, and impaired consciousness. If any discomfort occurs, prompt medical attention is recommended. Specific analysis is as follows:
1. Dysphagia
Dysphagia results from delayed or ineffective initiation of the swallowing reflex, causing food to remain in the pharynx, which can lead to coughing, choking, or aspiration. Patients often eat slowly and consume less food, increasing the risk of malnutrition and dehydration. Severe dysphagia may require nutritional support via nasogastric tube feeding or gastrostomy.
2. Homonymous Hemianopia
This condition arises due to damage to the optic tract or optic radiation in stroke patients. It manifests as simultaneous visual field defects in the same half (either left or right) of both eyes, impairing spatial perception, orientation, and safety during daily activities.
3. Central Facial Paralysis
In stroke patients, central facial paralysis typically presents as weakness or paralysis of the lower facial muscles on the side opposite to the brain lesion. This causes asymmetry in facial expressions and impaired movement of facial muscles. When attempting actions such as puffing cheeks or whistling, air leaks from the affected side while the unaffected side functions relatively normally, resulting in明显 asymmetric facial movements.
4. Impaired Consciousness
Stroke patients may experience drowsiness, stupor, or coma. They lose most awareness and cannot be awakened, although they may show painful expressions and avoidance responses to painful stimuli. Unconscious spontaneous movements may occur, and basic physiological reflexes remain intact, with no significant changes in vital signs.
5. Aphasia
Stroke can cause various types of aphasia: motor aphasia, characterized by difficulty in verbal expression; sensory aphasia, involving trouble understanding language; and anomic aphasia, where patients are unable to recall the names of objects.
If stroke warning signs appear, it is important to rest immediately and avoid emotional excitement or strenuous activity. Seek prompt medical evaluation, monitor blood pressure and blood glucose levels, maintain a light diet, abstain from smoking and alcohol, and follow medical advice for medication and treatment.
