Mini Stroke Vs Major Stroke: How To Identify The Differences In Symptoms?

A stroke is a deadly condition which often causes fatalities. How to understand and identify the differences between mini stroke and major stroke?

Brain stroke is a deadly event which can be fatal in many cases. Why does it happen? The primary reason behind brain stroke is blockages in the blood vessels. Due to these blockages, there may be a brief disruption of blood flow to the brain. The brain requires a continuous supply of blood in order to function normally and also to keep a person alive. But, when this flow of blood is disrupted, it causes the brain cells to die and depending on the duration of disruption, it may or may not cause death. There are different types of strokes but the symptoms are almost the same in all however, the severity may differ especially between mini stroke and major stroke. Let us dive in to understand the differences of the symptoms.

Symptoms Of Mini Stroke

Mini stroke is called transient ischemic attacks in medical terms. It is very different from a major stroke and does not typically pose a threat to life. The symptoms of mini stroke can last for few minutes and disappears within one hour. It very rarely lasts for one whole day. A transient ischemic attack is not fatal but it can be an early warning to a major impending stroke. Here are the symptoms:

• Weakness, numbness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg, typically on one side of the body.
• Weakness in the body.
• Numbness in the body which can turn to paralysis in the leg, arm or the face.
• Numbness typically happens in one side of the body.
• Difficulty speaking and understanding and slurred speech.
• Blindness in the eyes, blurry or double vision.
• Feeling dizzy.
• Loss of balance.

Symptoms of Major Stroke

A major ischemic stroke happens when there is an interruption of blood supply to the brain for many minutes. When this happens, the brain is unable to function normally and the brain cells begin to die in minutes. Another type of major stroke is called hemorrhagic stroke which happens due to a blood vessel rupture leading to bleeding in the brain. Both these types of stroke are fatal and could kill a person in hours. Here are the symptoms:

1. The patient will have trouble speaking and understanding and processing everything.
2. Drooping face due to numbness, weakness and paralysis on one side of the body.
3. Vision loss in one or both eyes.
4. Double vision.
5. A sudden and severe headache along with a change in consciousness.
6. Vomiting and dizziness.
7. Having trouble walking and balancing.
8. Lack of coordination and falling down often.
9. Unable to move the body normally especially one side which may be paralysed or numb.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not vetted by an expert. If you or anyone around you experiences these symptoms, consult a doctor immediately.