Stroke is a major health condition that can be lethal for a vulnerable person. Silent strokes are possible and more dangerous than the usual stroke instance. Silent strokes happen when there is a clot in the brain arteries, but there are no noticeable symptoms. Stroke can damage a portion of people’s brains and lead to paralysis. This article discusses the different symptoms of silent strokes so that treatment is possible as soon as possible.
Symptoms of Silent Brain stroke
The following symptoms are very common for patients with silent stroke-
Sudden headaches
During a sudden brain stroke, a small part of the brain goes through extensive damage. This can lead to sudden headaches. Such headaches can be very painful and sharp. The headache also gets worst at night time. Often, the headache emanates from the area in which the blockage happens. For example, if a blood clot happens at the back of the brain, you feel a sharp pain at the back of the head. Sudden headache is one of the brain stroke symptoms.
Nausea or vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are major brain stroke symptoms for silent strokes. Often people think that the sensation comes from acidity or indigestion and brush it off. However, doctors have found that vomiting after a silent stroke occurs because of gut-brain axis dysfunction. Vomiting also occurs if another stroke is set to follow the initial silent stroke. If you see a person vomiting periodically with no other symptoms, go to a neurologist.
Altered consciousness
The consciousness of the body is highly linked with the brain. When the brain suffers a silent stroke, it also suffers from altered consciousness as a symptom. The patient may enter a phase of stupor or a deeply induced coma due to a silent stroke. However, a coma happens in extreme cases. The patient experiences fluctuations in consciousness and needs to be admitted to the hospital soon if such symptoms are observed.
Feeling numb
Feeling numb is a common symptom of stroke, especially a silent stroke. As the brain regulates the level of sensation people feel, a stroke can make them feel numb. A stroke results in reduced brain activity, reducing sensations from touch and other sensations. Due to the blood clot, some brain parts might not get oxygen. This causes the death of brain cells, reducing sensations felt by other body parts. Mostly, the patient feels numb in his arms, legs or face.
Slurring in speech
A silent stroke also affects the speech functions of a person. Therefore, a slight slurring or inability to fluently speaking is seen as a symptom. When the blood clot affects the blood supply and oxygen supply of the speech-regulating part of the brain, the patient experiences slurred speech. If slurred speech shows up for a patient, he or she should be taken to the hospital for a neurologist appointment. The attack can be a ministroke or a TIA, which might not leave lasting damage to the brain.
Loss of vision
Loss of vision is a serious consequence and symptom of a silent stroke. Loss of vision can be permanent or temporary. If the loss of vision is temporary, the stroke was probably TIA and not as serious as a stroke. However, TIA and temporary vision loss can be warning signs that a full-scale stroke can happen at any time.
If you experience sudden vision loss, it is best to visit the doctor. When the vision loss is permanent, it is a sign of a silent stroke. Vision loss happens in many ways, as the patient might become colour-blind. The patient might not recognise certain faces or movements after a stroke. Nearly 66 per cent of patients experience vision loss after a stroke, which is very common.
Losing balance
Losing balance of the body or control to an extent can be a sign of a silent stroke. Many people take the loss of balance as a fluctuation in their blood pressure or clumsiness. However, instead of brushing it off as a minor accident and slipping up, it is better to go to the doctor for a consultation. The stroke can leave your legs feeling weak, and this can cause a loss of balance and control. One major function of the brain is to maintain body balance. If the brain stem or the cerebellum of the brain is affected by the silent stroke, the patient will experience loss of balance and frequent falls.
Conclusion
Depending on which area gets affected by the silent stroke, the patient suffers from some symptoms. The common mistake that patients and caregivers make is to treat the symptoms with neglect. Patients prone to stroke should be well observed and taken to the nearest neurological clinic at the earliest if the above symptoms arise.
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