According to research stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, killing an estimated 5.5 million people per year. Only heart disease has a higher mortality rate, and those people who survive a stroke often have permanent injuries. The average age of a stroke victim is usually over 65, but it can occur often younger than that as well.
Some causes of stroke are sedentary lifestyle, obesity, high cholesterol, family history, and diabetes. Similar to a heart attack, strokes are often survivable, but quick recognition of symptoms and immediate medical care is essential.
Common symptoms of a stroke are blurred vision, difficulty speaking, facial weakness, and upper or lower extremity numbness/tingling and weakness (usually on one side). Two other symptoms that we are trained to spot as Chiropractors are severe headaches (the worst one of your life), and dizziness/nausea or vomiting, especially during head rotation.
If you experience these last two symptoms then a trip to the ER is recommended immediately by ambulance. Do not wait and brush it off as nothing, as early intervention at the hospital can be the difference between life and death, or sustaining permanent neurologic damage to the brain and nervous system.