{"id":19263,"date":"2019-10-10T05:32:24","date_gmt":"2019-10-10T05:32:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/besthealth.guide\/?p=19263"},"modified":"2021-10-13T05:45:57","modified_gmt":"2021-10-13T05:45:57","slug":"14-common-signs-of-a-mini-stroke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/14-common-signs-of-a-mini-stroke\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Common 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 transient Ischemic Attack or TIA is often referred to as a \u201cwarning stroke\u201d or  \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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 <\/a>is that one side of their face begins to droop. If you think that someone you are with may be having a stroke 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 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 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 head. 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 <\/a>on this list it is important to seek medical attention right away because chances are high that they are having a stroke.\u00a0<\/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 a person and they suddenly cannot speak or become very difficult to understand, this could be a sign that they are having a mini-stroke or full-blown stroke. When a person is having a mini-stroke or a stroke, they may find talking to become quite difficult. They may sound like they have been drinking alcohol <\/a>or that they are trying to talk while underwater. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a person appears to be fine, but suddenly cannot be understood when they talk and also have facial drooping, chances are high that they are having some type of stroke. Make sure that you call 911 so that they can get the help that they need as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The quicker that a person can get medical attention the better as this can help prevent further damage to the body from occurring. <\/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 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. This is an almost sure sign that the person is experiencing a stroke and they need medical attention right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. Strokes are caused by a lack of blood to the brain<\/a>. When this occurs the body will begin sending out signals right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

If a person is experiencing a mini-stroke, you may notice that they suddenly seem confused. This confusion occurs because there is not enough blood and oxygen <\/a>getting to the brain. The brain needs both blood and oxygen to function properly when this supply is cut off it can cause a number of different issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The brain will first cut off some areas of the body. This can cause a person to not know where they are or what they are doing. They may not remember you or may just seem off. It may even seem as if the person has become suddenly intoxicated. This confusion may happen at any point during a stroke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a person is experiencing confusion along with the other symptoms on this list, there is a good chance that they are having a stroke and that they need medical attention right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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

Some people who have experienced a mini-stroke state that they noticed that their vision was blurry. Others report that they experienced double vision. When the vision is blurry or double, a person may even become dizzy. This dizziness can cause them to feel nauseous or sick to their stomach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the brain is not getting enough blood, it can cause a person to experience a loss of vision. If there is a blockage in a blood vessel that leads to the brain, a person may notice that their eyesight has worsened. If you are experiencing double vision, blurred vision, or a total loss of vision, it could be a sign that you are having a mini-stroke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If this vision loss<\/a> is associated with some of the other symptoms on this list it is a good idea to go to a doctor right away to determine the underlying cause.\u00a0
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7. Dizziness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are having feelings of dizziness that causes you to have difficulty walking, it could be a sign of a stroke. Many people feel dizzy when they stand up too fast or may feel dizzy simply because there is a lack of blood flow to the brain. However, if you stand up and feel dizzy and have difficulty walking, you may be experiencing a stroke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the issues with strokes is that many people mistake some of the symptoms of a stroke with another condition. This is especially true with dizziness <\/a>as many people consider it to be a viral symptom, when in fact there is a true loss of blood to the brain and a stroke is occurring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to let your doctor know if you are experiencing dizziness at any time as it could be the result of a stroke or some other serious issue such as a heart attack. 
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8. Pain in the Elbow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When a person is experiencing a stroke they may experience pain in their elbow. This may seem like a weird symptoms as most people who experience a stroke will simply lose feeling in one side of the body. However, if you experience unexplained pain in your elbow, it is a good idea to visit your doctor to determine the cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pain in the elbow is often very intense and will often occur on the opposite body side from where the blood is being lost in the brain. For example, if the blood <\/a>loss is occurring in the right side of the brain a person\u2019s left elbow may begin to hurt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you suddenly experience an intense pain in the elbow and you have not hit your elbow on anything or injured your elbow in any way, it may be a sign of a mini-stroke or an impending stroke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9.  Headache<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common symptoms of a stroke that is experienced by both men and women is a sudden and severe headache<\/a>. However, women experience this symptom more often than men. This is often described as one of the worst headaches that you have ever had. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The headache may be accompanied by nausea or one of the other symptoms on this list such as weakness throughout the body, dizziness, or pain in the arm, leg, or chest area. One study found that people who experienced a severe headache with a stroke tended to be younger and typically had a history of migraines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often times, migraine or severe headache is misdiagnosed. If you are experiencing this type of headache, request an MRI or consult with a neurologist in order to rule out a stroke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Fatigue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is normal to become extremely tired at some points. After all, we all lead busy lives and at times we simply become exhausted and need to rest. However, if you are experiencing extreme fatigue <\/a>that cannot be explained, it could be a sign of a stroke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people who have had a stroke report that they were feeling fatigued for several weeks or even months before the stroke occurred. If you are feeling exceptionally tired for a long period of time it is important to make sure that you discuss it with your doctor. It could be the sign of an oncoming stroke or even a heart attack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fatigue is also associated with other less serious ailments such as a vitamin deficiency or chronic fatigue syndrome. However, this is a symptom that should not be ignored. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Hiccups<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Getting the hiccups <\/a>is quite common. Everyone experiences this every once in a while and this minor nuisance will typically go away on its own within a few minutes. However, hiccups can also be a sign of a stroke as strokes can affect different areas of the brain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A stroke can affect the breathing center of the brain. When this occurs it may trigger a sudden case of the hiccups. These hiccups may not go away on their own or if they do, they may come back just as suddenly and last for a very long time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This symptom is most common in women and can be difficult to diagnose a stroke as they are a common nuisance. If you are experiencing hiccups that will simply not go away, make sure to go to your doctor as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Difficulty Breathing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A stroke may affect any area of the brain, including the part of the brain that controls your breathing. When this area of the brain is affected by a stroke a person may find it difficult to breathe normally. Shortness of breath can be a sign that a person is having a stroke, especially if it is associated with some of the other symptoms on this list. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are struggling to take a deep breath or if you find yourself panting or unable to catch your breath it is important to seek medical attention right away. Trouble breathing can be a symptom of many different conditions including a stroke, heart attac<\/a>k, or lung disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a symptom that should never be ignored and discussed with your doctor right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Mental Changes <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A person who has a mini-stroke may not even realize it. However, they may notice that they have changed mentally. A person who has a stroke <\/a>may find that their memory is not as good as it used to be. This can be a result of the brain not getting the proper amount of blood. When an area of the brain does not get the amount of blood that it needs, it can change the mental capabilities of a person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is common among people who have experienced a mini-stroke. If you are suddenly finding that you cannot remember certain things or that you are not as mentally capable as you once were, it is important to discuss it with your doctor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This could be a sign of an impending stroke or that you have already suffered from a mini-stroke. Your doctor will be able to help determine the cause of these mental changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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

While seeking medical care is not necessarily a symptom of a stroke, 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 <\/a>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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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