What are mild stroke symptoms for women? Stroke symptoms will vary according to the severity and root cause of the stroke. Symptoms of a stroke can be very sudden in their onset and in order for the effects of a stroke to be minimized as much as possible, it is important that the patient receives prompt treatment for the condition.
No matter how minor a stroke is, it should always be taken very seriously as in many cases, a minor stroke is the precursor to a far more devastating stroke that can lead to long term disability or even death.
There are two different types of stroke: hemorrhagic and ischemic. Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by a ruptured blood vessel in the brain leading to a cerebral hemorrhage. Ischemic strokes are caused by a blood clot traveling to the brain and causing a blockage. In both cases, the end result is a stroke. This can either be so mild that the patient is completely unaware they are even having a stroke, or much more devastating.
Minor strokes are caused by temporary interruptions in the blood supply to the brain and are known as Transient Ischemic Attacks. Men and women are both at risk from TIAs, but women who take oral contraceptive pills or hormone replacement therapy, and who smoke, are known to be at greater risk of suffering from transient ischemic attacks.
What are the mild stroke symptoms for women?
Women suffering from frequent TIAs will display a number of different symptoms including the sudden onset of a severe and debilitating headache or migraine. Other symptoms include nausea, dizziness, a loss of vision on one eye, mental confusion, drooping to one side of the face, numbness and tingling down one side of the body, and speech problems.
The symptoms of a minor stroke should never be ignored, although when the patient is only experiencing one or two symptoms and can still communicate without difficulty, they are often less inclined to seem medical help. However, the chances of a major stroke occurring within a few days of a mild stroke are very high and any signs of mild stroke symptoms in women should never be ignored.
Women can suffer from transient ischemic attacks with no warning whatsoever, but once one transient ischemic episode has occurred, another can follow within 24 hours, or sometimes even sooner. The first three days following a mild stroke are the most dangerous and during this period the patient should be kept under close observation in case a more serious hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke occurs.
Patients often recover from mild strokes exceptionally well, but mild strokes can still lead to brain damage and if the TIAs are thought to be related to an underlying medical condition such as high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease, hospitalization and treatment should be prompt.
Never ignore mild stroke symptoms in women: they should always be considered an early warning sign of a much more serious and potentially life threatening major stroke, so if you do spot any signs of a TIA, seek medical advice immediately.
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