A stroke is considered a medical emergency. It occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or, more usually, when there is a blockage. Without treatment, brain cells begin to die swiftly. This can result in severe disability or death. Every second matters. Brain cells begin to die within minutes of being deprived of oxygen. When brain tissue dies, the body parts regulated by that location stop working properly. As a result, stroke is the leading cause of long-term impairment. There are clot-busting medications that can prevent brain damage, but they must be used quickly — usually within 3 hours of the onset of symptoms.
Read on to find out what these symptoms are, and be sure to call emergency services if you or a loved one are experiencing these symptoms!
1. Face Drooping
When you have facial droop, your face does not appear symmetrical, and you may have difficulty moving one of your eyes or your mouth. Facial drooping usually improves on its own, but sometimes the cause is a serious problem, such as a stroke, so you should consult a doctor if you find your face sagging. In the event of a stroke, facial drooping will occur suddenly, and other muscles on one side of the body may be affected as well. Facial droop happens when the nerves in the face are damaged, preventing the facial muscles from performing properly. Nerve injury can be both transient and permanent. Damage to the portion of the brain that delivers nerve signals to the face muscles can also cause facial droop. Sometimes only the lower half of the face is afflicted, other times the entire side, and still other times the entire face is damaged. The issue may also have an impact on how you move your eyes and/or lips. The treatment will be determined by the cause of the drooping face.
If you have facial droop, your doctor will check your face, watch how it moves, and may request tests such as electromyography (a test that studies the muscles and nerves), imaging scans, and blood tests. Your face droop will be addressed if it is caused by a stroke, brain tumor, or sickness. If the droop prevents you from closing one eye, keep it properly moisturized and covered with a patch to avoid complications. If the face droop does not improve, surgery can be performed to close your eyelids or straighten a lopsided smile. Botox injections may be beneficial if you also have uncontrollable muscle spasms in your face. If you have facial droop, you must take special care of your eyes to avoid damage. Wear sunglasses outside, apply lubricating eye drops or ointments, and tape your eyelid shut at night. Notify your doctor straight away if you experience eye discomfort, pain, or changes in your vision.People who have face drooping can have emotional problems as well as problems with their sight, hearing, speaking, teeth, eating, and drinking. If you have any of these concerns, speak with your doctor so that they can send you for support and counseling.
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