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What Are the Signs of a Massive Stroke?

Kaiser Castro
Kaiser Castro

Before a massive stroke occurs, the body will experience a slew of warning signs. A transient ischemic attack is an episode of symptoms that occur shortly before a stroke strikes. Most of these symptoms manifest as extreme tingling of limbs, loss of motor skills, potential body convulsions, sporadic speech, random headaches, and involuntary facial contortions.

A telltale sign of a massive stroke is when the extremities begin to have a tingling sensation, sometimes described as a feeling of being pricked with needles. If the numbness affects the majority of one side of the body, then this is even more cause for alarm. The excessive numbness is caused by poor circulation to the body’s extremities, which usually accompanies a stroke. A vascular blockage can occur due to thrombosis, an arterial embolism, or the formation of a hemorrhage.

The human brain, including blood vessels that can be involved in a stroke.
The human brain, including blood vessels that can be involved in a stroke.

The tingling sensation may also be accompanied with an extreme loss of motor skills. A brain that is deprived of oxygen during a massive stroke will send random electrical signals to muscles, which will show themselves as jerky movements of the legs or arms. Sometimes the whole body will convulse, similar to a seizure.

Sporadic speech and odd speech impediments are also a sign of a massive stroke. If a person is suspect for a stroke, ask them to repeat a phrase. If they are having a hard time repeating the phrase, or if the phrase is being repeated incoherently, then the person is possibly suffering from a stroke. Strokes occur when the brain suffers from a lack of oxygen, which can manifest itself as sporadic communication skills. Stroke victims will have a hard time stringing sentences or phrases together, evident by the person’s involuntary stuttering and skipping of spoken words.

A diagram of an ischemic stroke and a hemorrhagic stroke.
A diagram of an ischemic stroke and a hemorrhagic stroke.

A random, intense headache or migraine is also connected with the occurrence of a stroke. A hemorrhage or a blockade in a blood vessel in the brain can cause severe, debilitating pain in the cranial region. If the pain is localized in one area of the head, then it is more likely that a stroke is occurring.

The facial area may also become distorted during a stroke. If someone is suffering a possible stroke, ask the victim to smile. A person that is having a hard time controlling the muscles in the face to properly form a smile is possibly experiencing a massive stroke.

Discussion Comments

Animandel

The good news about strokes is that advances in medicine are making life after a stroke less devastating when the stroke systems can be identified early and the person having the stroke can be treated immediately. With quick and advanced treatment even massive stroke recovery can have a much better outcome.

mobilian33

My aunt had high blood pressure. Once when she went to the doctor, her pressure was so out of control that the doctor sent her to the hospital because he said she could have a stroke at any moment. After that episode she started taking blood pressure medication and she was able to get her pressure back to where it was supposed to be.

My aunt knew how important controlling her blood pressure was, but for some reason she would stop taking her medications from time to time. One day her daughter noticed my aunt was really confused and could not understand simple things, so she took her to the doctor.

My aunt was put in the hospital again, and after a lot of tests, the doctors said she had had a series of small or mild strokes over a period of time. The strokes left her confused. This was really sad because she was too young to be in the condition she was in. It was like she was suffering from severe dementia. Physically she was fine.

Laotionne

One of the scariest things about having a stroke, aside from the fear when the stroke is happening, is the possible mental side effects that will remain after the the stroke has long passed. A stroke can leave a person mentally as well as physically disabled.

I have read that taking an aspirin when a stroke begins or directly after the stroke occurs can help reduce the long term damages. Something as simple as swallowing a little pill can make a world of difference in how you are able to live your life after a stroke.

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    • The human brain, including blood vessels that can be involved in a stroke.
      By: adimas
      The human brain, including blood vessels that can be involved in a stroke.
    • A diagram of an ischemic stroke and a hemorrhagic stroke.
      By: Alila
      A diagram of an ischemic stroke and a hemorrhagic stroke.
    • Loss of motor skills and extreme tingling of limbs may be signs of a massive stroke.
      By: JPC-PROD
      Loss of motor skills and extreme tingling of limbs may be signs of a massive stroke.
    • A sudden loss of feeling that affects the hand and the arm could be a warning sign of an impending stroke.
      By: Tracy Whiteside
      A sudden loss of feeling that affects the hand and the arm could be a warning sign of an impending stroke.
    • Using illicit drugs can increase an individual's risk of stroke.
      By: aaabbc
      Using illicit drugs can increase an individual's risk of stroke.
    • Strokes occur when the brain suffers a lack of oxygen.
      By: joshya
      Strokes occur when the brain suffers a lack of oxygen.
    • Individuals who have experienced a stroke may experience loss of muscle control necessary to perform ordinary tasks, such as teeth brushing.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Individuals who have experienced a stroke may experience loss of muscle control necessary to perform ordinary tasks, such as teeth brushing.
    • Individuals who are overweight face a greater risk of having a stroke.
      By: konami11
      Individuals who are overweight face a greater risk of having a stroke.