Recognizing Stroke Symptoms: When to Seek Emergency Medical Care

Did you know that stroke, also commonly referred to as paralysis or hemiplegia, is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability among the Thai population?
According to data from Thailand in 2014, 3 to 4 out of every 1,000 people are affected by stroke, and 2 to 3 people die from stroke every hour. These statistics highlight the urgent need for timely recognition and treatment.
The good news is that if stroke patients receive rapid and effective treatment from qualified medical professionals, the risk of permanent paralysis and death can be significantly reduced.
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<h2>Two Primary Causes of Stroke</h2>
Stroke occurs due to abnormalities in the blood vessels supplying the brain and can be classified into two main types:
<h4>1. Ischemic Stroke (Acute Ischemic Stroke)</h4>
Caused by insufficient blood flow to the brain due to:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Degeneration and hardening of cerebral arteries, leading to gradual narrowing and eventual blockage 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Blood clots or fatty deposits from the heart or major neck arteries that travel to and block cerebral arteries 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Critically low blood pressure, resulting in inadequate cerebral perfusion
</li>
</ul>
<h4>2. Hemorrhagic Stroke (Acute Hemorrhagic Stroke)</h4>
Caused by bleeding in the brain, which can be classified into:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Bleeding directly into the brain tissue, often due to long-standing high blood pressure 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Bleeding under the membrane surrounding the brain, commonly caused by a ruptured aneurysm at the base of the brain
</li>
</ul>
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<h2>9 Warning Signs of Acute Stroke or Paralysis</h2>
If you or someone around you experiences the following symptoms, immediate medical attention is critical:
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body – inability to lift an arm, grasp objects, walk properly, or move a leg/foot 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Facial drooping – uneven smile, inability to close one eye, or water dripping from the mouth when drinking 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Slurred or unclear speech – speaking incoherently, forgetting words, or being unable to speak at all 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Difficulty understanding spoken language – responding inappropriately or being confused by simple conversations 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Facial or body numbness on one side – similar to the sensation after receiving local anesthesia 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Double vision or visual field loss – seeing only one side or frequently bumping into objects 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Difficulty swallowing – choking on water or even saliva 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sudden, severe headache – described as the worst headache ever experienced, often accompanied by vomiting 
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Dizziness or vertigo lasting more than 5 minutes – not associated with position changes and often accompanied by loss of balance
</li>
</ol>
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<h2>When to Seek Medical Help</h2>
If a loved one or elderly person in your household exhibits any of the symptoms listed above, do not wait. Transport them immediately to a hospital with a dedicated stroke specialist team.
Stroke patients need to receive clot-dissolving medication or surgical treatment within 4.5 hours of symptom onset to minimize the risk of paralysis and death. Every minute counts—delaying care increases the risk of irreversible damage.
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Did you know that stroke, also commonly referred to as paralysis or hemiplegia, is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability among the Thai population?

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Recognizing Stroke Symptoms: When to Seek Emergency Medical Care

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