In 15% to 20% of cases, the type of stroke cannot be clearly determined. Strokes can cause symptoms when they involve large arteries in the brain, or when they involve small arteries that provide blood to critical brain areas. Some small strokes that affect critical brain areas are called lacunar strokes.
Symptoms
Since different areas of the brain are responsible for different functions (sensation, movement, sight, speech, balance, coordination, etc.), the symptoms of stroke vary depending on which area of the brain is damaged.
Symptoms can include any of the following:
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Headache, with or without vomiting
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Dizziness or confusion
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Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
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Sudden, severe numbness in any part of the body
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Visual disturbance, including sudden loss of vision
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Difficulty walking, including staggering or veering
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Coordination problems in the arms and hands
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Slurred speech or inability to speak
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Sudden deviation of the eyes toward one direction
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Seizures
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Irregular breathing
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Stupor
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Coma
The sudden appearance of one or more of these symptoms is a warning sign that a stroke may be in progress.
In some cases, strokes are preceded by one or more transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). TIAs are brief episodes of strokelike symptoms that last less than 24 hours, most commonly five to 20 minutes.
