A stroke is always a medical emergency. If you have these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention: sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms or legs, sudden vision changes in one or both eyes, sudden difficulty walking due to dizziness, loss of balance and in-coordination and sudden piercing headaches without cause.

Stroke happens when the blood supplied to the brain is interrupted and the brain doesn’t get the oxygen it needs.

The condition is a medical emergency and every minute counts, according to Dr. Aisha Lukwago, an expert in treating Africans.

A stroke can be categorized as ISCHEMIC or HEMORRHAGIC STROKE. An Ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel or artery in the brain. But 80% of all strokes are ischemic. Haemorrhagic on the other hand is caused by blood vessels in the brain that breaks and breads into the brain. About 20% of strokes are haemorrhagic. Stroke is dangerous because it injures the brain, therefore immediately one suspects, he/she should see a doctor.

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