Signs nad symptoms of a stroke:
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/UVAHealth/adult_cardiac/stroksgn.cfm
The following are the most common symptoms of stroke. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. If any of these symptoms are present, call 911 (or your local ambulance service) immediately. Treatment is most effective when started immediately. Symptoms may include:
sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
sudden confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding
sudden problems with vision such as dimness or loss of vision in one or both eyes
sudden dizziness or problems with balance or coordination
sudden problems with movement or walking
sudden, severe headaches with no other known cause
All of the above warning signs may not occur with each stroke. Do not ignore any of the warning signs, even if they go away - take action immediately. The symptoms of stroke may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
What are some other symptoms of stroke?
Other, less common, symptoms of stroke may include the following:
sudden nausea, vomiting, or fever not caused by a viral illness
brief loss or change of consciousness such as fainting, confusion, seizures, or coma
transient ischemic attack (TIA), or "mini-stroke"
A TIA can cause many of the same symptoms as a stroke, but TIA symptoms are transient and last for a few minutes to a few days. Call for medical help immediately if you suspect a person is having a TIA, as it may be a warning sign that a stroke is about to occur. Not all strokes, however, are preceded by TIAs.
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(TIA-s are "mini-strokes")
More info on strokes and mini-strokes:
http://www.mydr.com.au/default.asp?article=2440
Well, this is freaking me out. I always blackout like that with my vision suddenly going black while I'm conscious. The doctor says I'm healthy and doesn't know what it is. Could I be having TIAs? My grandmother had two strokes and died with the second.
Or, maybe I should just change my screenname to Hypochondriac. :-)
You also forgot a subtle symptom, which is:
When r ading, one g ts the fe ling th t th y can't
qu te see all of the ch r ct rs in a se tenc .
My mother and I were in our basement when she was moving clothes from the washer to the dryer. She suddenly dropped the basket, and told me her arm went completely weak and then numb. She had a similar complaint to me about two days later. One week after the first event she had a stroke during a wedding ceremony for my sister's friend, and two weeks after that the Lord took her.
Suffice it to say that the warning signs listed first - sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body - are permanently etched into my brain.