Symptoms of stroke

Stroke symptoms appear suddenly. Recognizing them fast and calling for help immediately is the single most important thing anyone can do, because brain-saving treatment works only in the first few hours. If you notice any of these signs, call 112 immediately and note the time symptoms started.

Think FAST

• F - Face: one side of the face droops or feels numb. Ask the person to smile; the smile looks uneven.
• A - Arms: one arm is weak or numb. Ask the person to raise both arms; one drifts downward.
• S - Speech: speech is slurred, strange, or the person cannot speak or understand. Ask them to repeat a simple sentence.
• T - Time: if any of these signs are present, time to call 112 immediately.

Other sudden symptoms

• Numbness or weakness on one side of the body or leg
• Sudden confusion or trouble understanding speech
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause, sometimes with vomiting

What NOT to do

• Do not wait to see if symptoms pass
• Do not give the person food, water, or any medicine, including aspirin
• Do not give herbal or Ayurvedic preparations in the emergency
• Do not drive the person yourself if an ambulance can reach you; paramedics start care on the way

Even if symptoms clear on their own (a TIA or mini-stroke), treat it as an emergency and get evaluated the same day.

Ayurvedic view (interpretive): Classical descriptions of pakshaghata include sudden one-sided weakness and speech loss, matching the modern picture. The framework is interpretive only and must never delay the 112 call.

Remember: Sudden face droop, arm weakness, or speech trouble means stroke until proven otherwise. Note the time, call 112, and give nothing by mouth.