Overview
A stroke happens when blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly cut off by a clot or a burst vessel, killing brain cells within minutes. Uncontrolled hypertension is the biggest cause in Nigeria. Use FAST — Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to rush to hospital — because early treatment saves brain and function.
Symptoms
- Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, usually one side
- Sudden slurred speech or inability to speak
- Facial drooping
- Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Sudden severe headache unlike any before
- Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
- Confusion or collapse
Causes & risk factors
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Diabetes and high cholesterol
- Irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation)
- Smoking and heavy alcohol use
- Sickle cell disease (a major cause in children)
Treatment & self-care
A stroke is an emergency: get to a hospital with scanning facilities immediately — clot-busting treatment only works within the first few hours, and home remedies waste that window. After the emergency phase, recovery involves physiotherapy, speech therapy and daily preventive medicines, with strict control of blood pressure and sugar. Many people regain significant function with sustained rehabilitation.
See a doctor urgently if
- Any FAST sign — face droop, arm weakness, speech trouble — go now
- Sudden severe headache or collapse
- Sudden vision loss or double vision
- Brief stroke-like symptoms that resolved (mini-stroke still needs same-day review)
This condition can be an emergency. If any of the signs above are severe or getting worse, go to the nearest emergency room now or call 112 or 199 — do not wait for an online consultation.