Final answer:
A stroke's symptoms often include numbness, severe headache, and speech difficulty, with immediate treatment being critical to recovery. Risk factors like high blood pressure and smoking can be managed to reduce stroke risks, and the 'FAST' mnemonic is a quick way to recognize stroke signs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The symptoms of a stroke can vary but commonly include numbness, headache, and speech difficulty. Strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is compromised, causing brain cells to die due to lack of oxygen. This can result in an inability to move or feel on one side of the body, vision problems, confusion, memory issues, and dizziness. Severe headache often accompanies hemorrhagic strokes. Symptoms usually manifest within seconds to minutes, and their severity and permanence depend on the swiftness of treatment and the stroke's extent. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) involves stroke symptoms that resolve quickly, typically in less than an hour.
Risk factors for stroke include age, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation. Prevention may involve lifestyle changes and medications to manage these risks. Immediate medical attention is crucial for stroke victims, and treatment options may include medications for dissolving clots and blood pressure control, alongside rehabilitation therapies like physical and occupational therapy.
The 'FAST' mnemonic helps to remember the key signs: Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time to call emergency services.