A stroke occurs when blood does not flow properly to your brain, causing your brain cells to die. Many of the signs here are the same for both men and women, but some symptoms affect men more than women. Strokes are more common and cause more death in women, while men tend to have strokes at a younger age.
Knowing the symptoms (including those related to each gender) enables you to help the victim (who may be a family member) obtain life-saving medical care.
In this article, I try to alert you to early warning signs that indicate that you may have a stroke, with a focus on symptoms that afflict men and the recovery process.
The authors of a study published in 2009 investigated the differences between men and women in relation to stroke, and found that the symptoms most common in men are:
Difficulty maintaining balance, or what is also called poor coordination.
Weakness on one side of the body
Numbness on one side of the body
Women are often more likely than men to talk about "atypical" symptoms such as dizziness, headache, and mental state change (such as confusion). However, because the warning signs in men are more known, medical personnel detect strokes in men more quickly, which reduces the time between a stroke and the start of treatment.
Early warning signs
An "ischemic" stroke is the most common type of stroke and is a plaque, or blood clot, blocking an artery in the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes are less common, and they involve bleeding in the brain. A person may experience a "mini stroke" during which they experience symptoms similar to those of a stroke for a short-term period. The most common symptoms of a stroke are:
Face drooping
A stroke may cause numbness or weakness on one side of the face. In this case, only one side of the mouth responds when the victim tries to smile.
Stroke is a medical emergency, so receiving urgent treatment may prevent further damage to the brain. Other symptoms of stroke include:
Headache
Dizziness
The pain
Feeling faint
A stroke victim may exhibit several symptoms or only one warning sign (such as weakness on one side of the body).
Stroke reduces blood flow to the brain, which deprives brain cells of oxygen and nutrients. If a person does not get medical care quickly, they may be at risk of permanent brain damage or death.
Arm weakness
People who have suffered a stroke may not be able to lift one or both arms over the head and keep them there.
Difficulty speaking
The person may have difficulty speaking or their words are illogical.
Stroke Recovery in Men
The results of a 2005 study indicate that men who had a stroke leave the hospital ++ with fewer disabilities than women and score higher rates of daily activity. The reason may be that men are often younger than women when they have a stroke, which makes their body more able to recover.
Recovery after a stroke depends on several factors, including:
The area of the brain affected by a stroke
The period during which the flow of oxygen and blood stops
The general health of the victim before the stroke
Some recover completely, while others need to undergo physical therapy and take medication over the long term. These drugs:
Increase blood fluidity
Lowering blood pressure
Reducing cholesterol
Useful information
Stroke is dangerous regardless of a person's gender, but men who show warning signs (such as high blood pressure) and have a history of smoking are more likely to have it. However, the causes of stroke can be treated and reduced risk by avoiding smoking, maintaining an active lifestyle, and eating a healthy diet.
Understanding and remembering warning signs helps you recognize stroke symptoms and ensure you receive prompt treatment. The earlier a person receives treatment, the more likely they are to fully recover.
