A Surge in Strokes

1) Sudden numbness or weakness, typically on one side of the body
2) Sudden difficulty speaking
3) Sudden headache
4) Sudden blurry vision
5) Sudden dizziness, or difficulty with balance or coordination

Other signs of a possible stroke include an inability to form a smile or raise both arms above the head.

These symptoms should be taken seriously, even if they last only a short time and the person resumes full function within a few minutes. Many people don't realize that a transitory stroke often comes before a full-blown stroke by hours, days or months. (Studies indicate that 10 percent of people who have a transitory stroke will have a major stroke within a week, and 20 percent will have one within three months.) Quick diagnosis and treatment can save lives, prevent disability and, in the case of transitory stroke, lower the chance that a more severe stroke will soon follow.

It's also important to realize that the warning signs of stroke in women tend to be "more nonspecific, like feeling weak all over or having a headache," Towfighi says. As a result, some women hesitate to call an ambulance or even their doctor. That may help explain why a woman is more likely to die after having a stroke than a man.

"People need to take all strokes seriously," says Towfighi, who suggests that you call 911 immediately, because time is of the essence. "If you call your doctor or try to drive yourself to the hospital, it may take too long," she says. "You want to get treatment initiated within three hours."
 
Strokes kill about 200,000 Americans a year and are the third leading cause of death, after heart disease and cancer, and the leading cause of adult disability. Puopolo, the mother of two sons, was one of the lucky ones. She was flown via helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital for emergency surgery. Once discharged, she spent weeks in a rehabilitation center. Three months later, she's now home, but she continues with occupational and physical therapy. She still doesn't have full use of her left hand. She can't drive, and a lot of everyday tasks remain difficult. "When this first happened, and people heard that I'd had a stroke, they would say, 'She's too young to have had a stroke'," says Puopolo. But as she found out, you're never too young to take steps to reduce the risk that it could happen to you.

© 2008