A sudden, severe headache can be a sign of a stroke.
Strokes occur when there is a lack of blood flow to some area of the brain. It is just as serious as it sounds and can cause serious damage or even death. Brain cells start to die within minutes of the blockage so it’s important that you get treatment as quickly as possible to avoid stroke injuries. Unfortunately, strokes can be commonly misdiagnosed by doctors, especially in younger patients. This becomes an issue of medical malpractice if your injuries or death was a result of a doctor not diagnosing you correctly. Here is what you need to know about stroke injuries.
Symptoms
When a stoke occurs, symptoms typically arise very suddenly and escalate quickly. Here are the common signs that you are having a stroke:
- Trouble with speaking and/or confusion: You may abruptly begin to slur your words and not be able to speak properly. You could also have difficulty understanding what someone else Is saying to you.
- Paralysis or numbness: This typically occurs in either the face, arm, or leg. You can go completely numb or notice some weakness in one or all those muscles. Often, this happens in just one side of the body.
- Vision Impairment: Some people being to have blurred vision, while others will go completely blind in one or both eyes. Sometimes, you may start to see double.
- Headache: A severe headache, more comparable to a migraine, can occur. It can be accompanied with dizziness or vomiting.
- Loss Of Balance: You may find yourself stumbling or experiencing sudden dizziness. You could also have some loss of coordination.
FAST
This Is an acronym to guide you through some simple steps to determine if someone around you is suffering from a stroke.
F= Face: Ask them to smile. If one side of their face appears to be drooping, this could be a sign of a stroke.
A = Arms: Have the person try to raise both of their arms. Look for one arm leaning downward as they try to raise it or an arm that is unable to rise at all.
S = Speech: Try to get the person to repeat a short phrase that you give them. You are looking for slurred speech or the inability to repeat it back correctly.
T = Time: As mentioned before, a stroke happens very quickly so there isn’t any time to waste. If you notice any of the above signs, call 911 immediately.
Potential Stroke Injuries
Urgency is so important when dealing with a stroke. The longer it goes untreated, the higher the risk for brain damage, disabilities, or even death. That is why failure to diagnose this condition in a reasonable time is such a serious matter. Here are some possible stroke injuries:
- Paralysis: Though this is a symptom of having a stoke, if not treated in time, the paralysis can be permanent. You could become paralyzed on one side or lose control of certain muscles.
- Difficulty with speech and swallowing: A stroke may result in permanent damage to the muscles in your mouth in throat. This could make it difficult to talk correctly, understand speech, or even eat.
- Memory Loss: Stoke victims may suffer the loss of certain memories. Others have difficulty understanding certain concepts and making judgments.
- Emotional Problems: Because a stroke directly impacts the brain, it could result in some emotional disabilities. Victims are more likely to suffer from depression and have difficulty controlling their emotions. Some people become more impulsive, while others become withdrawn.
Have You Or A Loved One Suffered From A Stroke Injury That Could Have Been Prevented? Contact The Snyder Law Group Today
The Snyder Law Group, LLC, proudly represents clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Our experienced Baltimore attorneys understand the frustration that comes with an insurance company, medical professional, or other party that refuses to accept liability for negligent or reckless behavior. You can take heart in knowing there are talented and experienced lawyers ready to work for you. We are experienced in handling personal injury claims of medical malpractice or injury resulting from serious car and truck accidents and have secured hundreds of millions in verdicts settlements*. Give us a call at (410)-843-3476 for a free case evaluation. You can also visit our website www.410thefirm.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google +, and LinkedIn for more information.