What are the symptoms of mild strokes?

Like a stroke, its “younger brother” – the same disease with the prefix “mild” – is rapidly growing younger today. More and more often, very young men and women are admitted to a hospital bed with a diagnosis of mild stroke. It is especially dangerous that not every patient with mild stroke symptoms can define transiently their severity and seek medical help on time. Often, modern people are so busy that they suffer discomfort on their legs, do not take sick leave even for a couple of days, and continue to lead their usual active lifestyle, ignoring everything that may indicate a deterioration in their health. This increases the risk of repeated mild strokes in the future and poses a threat not only to human health but also to preserve his ability to work and even his life. 

Unlike a stroke, in patients with a mild stroke, the lesion does not affect the large arteries, but the small vessels of the brain. At the same time, the duration of circulatory disorders usually does not exceed several hours – and lasts no more than 10 minutes in most cases, after which the blood flow is restored partially or completely, as well as brain function. Detected in time early signs of a mild stroke, make it possible to begin its qualified treatment, which enables the patient to fully recover.

Symptoms of mild strokes

This disease is becoming more common. That is why you should remember the first signs of a mild stroke in order to recognize this condition and seek help from professionals:

• loss of control over the muscles of the face and limbs – up to the complete impossibility of their facial expressions, as well as the arms and legs. Sometimes this symptom is limited to limb weakness, which can be more pronounced only on the right or only on the left side of the body;
• inability to focus the gaze;
• suddenly appeared sharp and strong headache;
• loss of the ability to express themselves articulately and the ability to build phrases;
• inability to tolerate loud sounds and light;
• in some cases, the patient may have the urge to vomit;
• the patient’s skin may get goosebumps. However, he does not feel any signs of fever or chills.

Most of all the above symptoms of a mild stroke occur at the same time as a surge in blood pressure. In this case, you must urgently seek qualified medical help. The ability to identify a mild stroke in a person in time increases the chances of a full recovery. For this, it is necessary that between the time the first signs of the disease were noted and the beginning of therapeutic measures, no more than 3-6 hours elapsed – during this time, circulatory disorders in the brain will not lead to fatal consequences, and the restoration of all body functions is possible in full.

First aid basics for mild stroke

What to do with a mild stroke? The person suddenly becomes inhibited, loses the thread of the conversation, cannot walk normally, and this leads others to a state of panic. They begin to give the patient various medications, try to give water, and perform other unnecessary and sometimes dangerous actions.

It is important to remember that a mild stroke in the acute phase is similar in signs to a stroke, inflammation of the meninges, and other dangerous conditions, so you should proceed with caution. First of all, call the medical team.

While waiting for the arrival of doctors to alleviate the condition of the patient, it is allowed to:

• Place the patient horizontally with the head resting comfortably;
• Unbutton tight clothing, belt, and tie;
• Provide airflow by opening windows in the room;
• Measure his blood pressure. With high blood pressure, you need to take a fast-acting antihypertensive drug. 
• Apply ice or a cold compress to the back of the head to reduce swelling of the brain tissue;
• Calm down the patient: the person is disoriented, does not understand what is happening, begins to panic. It is allowed to drink valerian or motherwort.

Antispasmodics are strictly prohibited. They should not be given to relieve headaches. Competently provided first aid will reduce the intensity of symptoms.

Methods for the prevention of mild stroke

The first symptoms of a mild stroke should be taken as a signal for an urgent visit to the clinic and to prevent further development of this condition. To prevent symptoms, doctors recommend: 

• control blood pressure and, with arterial hypertension, take antihypertensive drugs;
• abstain from bad habits;
• treat diseases that contribute to the obstruction of blood flow (thrombosis, diabetes);
• stabilize weight;
• eat balanced;
• maintain moderate physical activity (regular exercise in non-heavy sports improves blood circulation);
• walk in the fresh air for at least an hour every day;
• learn to calmly respond to stressful situations (auto-training or classes with a psychologist will help).

A short-term ischemic attack does not cause damage to brain tissue and easily goes unnoticed by the patient, disguising itself as overwork or a hypertensive crisis. But do not ignore the symptoms that appear – without a timely visit to a doctor and elimination of provoking factors, the risk of repeated mini strokes increases, leading to irreversible brain damage.