Many people are aware of the common symptoms that lead up to someone having a stroke. These symptoms include a dropping of the face and relaxed muscles. When we think of a stroke, we think of slurred speech, a loss of movement, and numbness. While these are also symptoms of having a stroke, silent strokes show no symptoms and are just as dangerous. This may not be the case for everyone though. Some strokes can be “silent,” which means that a person can have a stroke without even noticing. Oftentimes, those who have a silent stroke do not have any symptoms in the days or weeks leading up to the stroke. A stroke occurs when there is a lack of blood flow to a part of the brain. Although there are some benefits to having little to no symptoms of a stroke, silent strokes can just be as dangerous and can lead to permanent brain damage and affect the person’s body.
Silent strokes are extremely dangerous because one can go about their daily routine without knowing that they had a stroke. This can be damaging to the brain and various forms of motor function.
Some symptoms of a silent stroke may include a sudden lack of balance, slight memory loss, issues with cognitive skills, a lack of ability, changes in mood or personality, and a temporary loss of movement or bowel control. If you or a loved one notice any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. Even if you believe that your symptoms are nothing to be concerned about or seem to lessen each day, it is still a good idea to see a doctor and get an exam to ensure you are not about to have a stroke.
Get help from our Maryland personal injury lawyers today by calling Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.
Are Silent Strokes Less Dangerous?
Just because you may have little to no symptoms does not mean silent strokes are not dangerous. Any kind of stroke is serious and requires immediate medical attention. Generally, silent strokes only affect a small part of the brain. If you or a loved one have suffered from several silent strokes, you may have neurological damage. For example, you may start to notice that you have difficulty remembering things or trouble concentrating. Having a silent stroke can increase your risk of having another stroke in the future. Having multiple strokes can put one at risk for dementia. The symptoms may include emotional issues, memory loss, trouble making decisions, a loss of bladder or bowel control, and changes in the way you walk.
What is the Difference Between a Stroke and a Silent Stroke?
Strokes and silent strokes are both medical conditions that affect the brain. They are both serious ailments that share many similarities. However, there are key differences between how strokes and silent strokes present themselves, their severity, and how they are treated. Understanding these similarities and differences can help you understand if you are at risk of suffering from either condition and the consequences you may face.
Similarities
Both strokes and silent strokes involve a disruption of blood flow to victim’s brains. This can lead to damage in many different areas. The risk factors that can be applied to both strokes and silent strokes are similar. People who develop hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles may all be at risk of suffering from either condition.
Furthermore, there are similarities between the causes of strokes and silent strokes. Both conditions are caused by medical issues like blood clots, narrowed blood vessels, and ruptured blood vessels in the brain. Various imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans are regularly used to diagnose affected individuals.
Differences
Still, there are key differences in how the symptoms of stroke and silent strokes will present themselves. Strokes typically present with sudden and noticeable symptoms, such as weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, severe headache, or sudden vision problems. Meanwhile, silent strokes do not cause obvious symptoms and are often discovered incidentally during brain imaging.
Strokes are typically more severe and can lead to instant functional impairments for victims. Silent strokes are milder and may not be immediately apparent to those who suffer them. Many people who suffer strokes will recognize right away that they are undergoing a medical emergency and will seek prompt treatment. On the other hand, people who suffer silent strokes may overlook them because of the absence of noticeable symptoms. Accordingly, silent strokes have the propensity to accumulate over time and lead to serious cognitive impairment.
What Causes a Stroke?
Some of the most common causes of a stroke are diabetes, heart disease, tobacco use, high blood pressure, weight, medications, age, and family. Strokes run in families, so it is important to know your family history to be aware of the dangers of having a stroke and or, how to avoid one. You and your family members may have a tendency to have high blood pressure, which is a leading cause of a stroke. Women are also less likely to have a stroke than men, and women typically have strokes at a later age than men. If you are an overweight individual, the chances of having a stroke are higher than for someone who is active and in good shape. Furthermore, smoking or chewing tobacco can increase your chances of having a stroke. When the brain is cut off from oxygen, a stroke will likely occur.
Along with silent strokes, there are two other types of strokes one can suffer hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks the artery that leads to the brain. Sometimes, blood clots form in arteries as they are damaged by the buildup of plaques. Ischemic strokes are the most common type of stroke. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when blood from the artery begins to bleed into the brain. A few of the life-threatening symptoms include an inability to feel or move, a loss of consciousness, pain in the neck and shoulders, and nausea and vomiting. If you suffered from a stroke, contact our Baltimore personal injury lawyers today.
Post-Stroke Rehabilitation:
The recovery process after having a stroke can vary for each individual, but typically it is a long and exhausting process. Psychotherapists may be useful if you or a loved one have suffered a stroke and have difficulty balancing and need to increase their level of movement. Dietitians may also be helpful in encouraging a healthier lifestyle or helping you with chewing and swallowing. Lastly, speech therapists are trained to help patients who have suffered strokes. They are there to help you. Speech is a part of everyday life.
How Can You Tell if You Have Had a Stroke?
If you have no symptoms of having a stroke but believe that you may have had one, go to a doctor immediately. You will most likely undergo a few tests with the use of an MRI and CT scan. These scans will be able to pinpoint the location of the blockage or lesions where the brain cells stopped functioning. Unfortunately, there is no way to reverse any brain damage after a stroke has occurred. Healthy parts of your brain may be able to compensate for the damaged areas which may allow one to have a great quality of life despite having a stroke.
Can You Prevent Strokes?
Although it is hard to spot a silent stroke, there are ways in which one can protect themself from having a stroke in the future. Getting your blood pressure under control, maintaining a healthy weight and diet, quitting smoking, cutting out diet drinks, cutting down salt intake, eating veggies, and keeping diabetes in check are some great ways to prevent having a stroke. Even if you do not have symptoms of a stroke but your family history says otherwise, contact your doctor to ensure your safety. It is better to be prepared than not.
Can You File a Lawsuit After Suffering a Stroke?
There are various scenarios where stroke and silent stroke victims may be able to file lawsuits against at-fault parties. Our personal injury attorneys can help those who have suffered any of the following:
Medical Malpractice
You may suffer a stroke because your doctor failed to adhere to the applicable standard of care. In other words, you may experience a stroke because your physician diverged from the typical medical treatment that would have been administered by other doctors with similar training under the same circumstances. For example, you may suffer a stroke because your doctor failed to promptly diagnose a serious, underlying medical condition during your medical evaluation. In this case, you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against your doctor for the damages you sustained.
If you suspect that you have grounds to file a medical malpractice claim after suffering a stroke, then the team at our firm will review the strength of your potential case for free.
Defective Products
You may also be able to sue after suffering a stroke if your condition was caused by a defective product. For example, someone may experience a stroke because they took medication with undisclosed side effects. Further, someone may fall victim to a stroke because of a malfunctioning medical device. In such cases, injured parties may be able to sue the defective products’ sellers and manufacturers.
The route to payment can be complicated in a lawsuit based on a defective product. Extensive amounts of evidence may be required to support your claim. Therefore, support from competent legal representation can be highly beneficial when collecting the information needed to win your case.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are another potential cause of strokes that you can sue for. There are many types of severe injuries that can result from car accidents. Certain injuries such as neck injuries and brain injuries can potentially lead to strokes. If you suffered a stroke as the result of your car crash, then you may be able to sue the at-fault motorist for the harm you endured.
There are many forms of negligence that can lead to car accidents. For instance, crashes regularly occur because drivers were speeding, distracted, or ignoring traffic signals. Our legal team will help you build a claim against a negligent driver and negotiate for the full range of compensation you deserve.
Workplace Accidents
Finally, some people suffer strokes as the result of workplace accidents. For example, a factory worker who may experience a stroke because of prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals in their workplace. Further, a construction worker may undergo a stroke after suffering a fall from a tall height. If you sustained a stroke because of an accident in the workplace, then you may be able to pursue monetary damages from another party.
If You Suffered a Stroke, Our Law Firm May Be Able to Help
Get help from our Ocean City personal injury lawyers today by calling Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.