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Bad vision or weak limbs could be a sign of stroke

BERLIN - Weakness on one side of the body or numbness in an arm or leg are possible signs that a stroke has taken place, according to Germany’s Neurology Society in Berlin.

“The sudden appearance of a problem with vision or speech can also be a warning sign of a life-threatening stroke. If these symptoms appear, you should seek neurological treatment immediately,” says the society’s spokesman, Professor Hans-Christoph Diener.

The best place to receive treatment in situations like those is in a specialised stroke unit. “In an emergency - especially if there is a suspicion a stroke has occurred - you should always call the emergency services,” says Diener, who is also the director of the neurology clinic in Essen in western Germany.

“Travelling to a stroke unit makes sense up to a transportation time of 90 minutes,” he says. But if the patient is in a very bad state, is unconscious or requires artificial respiration they should be taken to the nearest hospital.

“Regular exercise such as swimming three times a week, jogging or cycling can help reduce the risk of having a stroke,” says Professor Martin Grond, president of Germany’s Stroke Society.

“A balanced diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, low-fat meat and fish as well as quitting smoking and low alcohol intake can also prevent the blockage of arteries and will also reduce the chance of experiencing a stroke.”

A stroke is a very serious condition that leads to a sudden reduction of blood supply to the brain. The chance of having a stroke increases if the body’s blood vessels have been damaged through high blood pressure, raised cholesterol levels or diabetes.

Every year about 200,000 people in Germany have a stroke. With greater age the risk also increases. Half of all stroke victims are over the age of 75 but young adults and even children can have a stroke.