What are the signs of a stroke?

Question

I have some numbness & tingling in the pinkie & ring finger of my left hand since yesterday.....tonight, it is back...& doesnt seem to be going away....I am also kind of lightheaded....should I worry or is this just over worked & stressed out

My face isnt droopy...I can say a coherent sentence....raise my arms...& walk.....I just have the numbness & lightheaded feeling...

I am 32.....that is why I am concerned too....Mom had one at 33....kind of scary to me...

Answer 1

From your avatar, it appears you are young. It is unlikely that it is a stroke. (mini-stroke).
You would experience more than just a little light headedness. You would either pass out for a moment or ALMOST pass out. They are accompanied by severe headaches.

The tingling in your fingers happens to everyone. That CAN be a sign of poor blood circulation but that is usually caused by a poor diet and/or stress. It can't hurt you. Everyone experiences that from time to time and sometimes doctors have no idea what causes it. According to the American Medical Association, this is just one more mystery, they have no answer to. All they know is most of the time it's due to stress and on top of that, stress tends to lead us to eating the wrong foods.

Examine what you have been eating lately. Are you maintaing a healthy diet? You may need FOLIC ACID, (also known as folate.)

The best natural source of it is found in dark green leafy vegetables. Especially spinach.
Also take a folic acid/folate vitamin supplement and see if that doesn't do the trick.

Cetain medications can also cause it. It's just a negative side effect.

Does your toungue burn when you brush your teeth or eat certain foods? If so, that's what it is.

If strokes have occured in your older or deceased relatives, I would make an appointment with your family practioner first.

It's probably harmless. So you don't want to spend a ton of money on a neurologist for nothing.

You may just need a B-12 shot.
If the symptoms persist after a week OR worsen sooner than that, then see your Dr. immediately. You don't want to ignore something that could possibly be serious.

Remember, it is common for blood vessels to break naturally in ANY part of the human body. When that happens around the brain, it can cause dizziness for a little while until new vessels grow to take it's place.

I am an RN and I just so happen to have a family history of my elders that have died from stroke. Naturally, that was one of the things I wanted to learn about in medical school.
What were the signs.

Like I said, from the age look of your avatar, it is very unlikely that you suffered a mini stroke. Just get some help for your stress from your doctor if folate doesn't help or it continues non stop for several more days.
The tingling in your fingers could be caused by MANY things. It's usually nothing. I have been haviing that happen to me for as far back as I can remember but I know it started after puberty.

Answer 2

you may be having high blood pressure symptoms which can lead to a stroke and or heart attack please seek medical attention.
Stroke Warning Signs

If you notice one or more of these signs, don't wait. Stroke is a medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 or your emergency medical services. Get to a hospital right away!
The American Stroke Association wants you to learn the warning signs of stroke:

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Be prepared for an emergency.

Keep a list of emergency rescue service numbers next to the telephone and in your pocket, wallet or purse.
Find out which area hospitals are primary stroke centers that have 24-hour emergency stroke care.
Know (in advance) which hospital or medical facility is nearest your home or office.
Take action in an emergency.

Not all the warning signs occur in every stroke. Don't ignore signs of stroke, even if they go away!
Check the time. When did the first warning sign or symptom start? You'll be asked this important question later.
If you have one or more stroke symptoms that last more than a few minutes, don't delay! Immediately call 9-1-1 or the emergency medical service (EMS) number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can quickly be sent for you.
If you're with someone who may be having stroke symptoms, immediately call 9-1-1 or the EMS. Expect the person to protest — denial is common. Don't take "no" for an answer. Insist on taking prompt action.
For stroke information, call the American Stroke Association at 1-888-4-STROKE.

Answer 3

Over the age of 50?

here's a quick check:
Stand in front of a mirror...put both your arms over your head.
if you're having trouble getting one of them there...

smile at yourself...if you can only get half of your face to smile...I'd say you've had a stroke.

However, tingling in your fingers could indicate a slight nerve impingement anywhere from your neck to your elbow (ie Tennis Elbow) - light headedness could simply be dehydration...or...there's the chance of a mild stroke.

Have your doctor check you out.

be well.

...by the way I'm not a doctor...

my best friend had a stroke once and thats what the doctor told him to do if it ever happened again...and I have had tennis elbow and I have degenerative Disk Disease in my neck...my fingers tingle

Answer 4

The symptoms you mentioned is one which concerns a stroke.

Headache, numbness of the tongue, weakness down one side of the body, slurred speech and sometimes unable to swallow or just a few symptoms of a stroke.

The symptoms you have could be due to stress, but its best to get checked out and try not to worry too much as it could excerbate your symptoms.

Answer 5

Can you say a sentence as plain as you normally could

Is your face droopy on one side?

Can you move and raise your arms as you normally can?

If not, you may be at risk.

Answer 6

If you think it is a stroke you need to go to the hospital ASAP!!! Some of the effects of a stroke can be reversed if it is caught in time.