How can one knoe if they've had a stroke?

Question

And is it possible to have a stroke even though you were conscious and fully aware of things throughout the whole duration of the incident?

Recently my boyfriend strangled me (he was pressing my {cartoid?} arteries on the sides of my neck), and I felt dizzy and weak in my right arm afterwards, with a tremendous headache, and was stumbling and incorrectly pronouncing simple words when relating the incident to my mom over the phone about several hours afterwards. In the course of the next few days, I felt weakness and tingling in my arms and recall having trouble lifting one of them while doing laundry. I went to the doctor and she said I was fine, and that although I was experiencing acute symptoms, I did not have a stroke, yet how can she be sure? Where are these symptoms stemming from if in fact I did not have a stroke? She said oxygen was still getting to the brain and that the soreness in my arteries afterward was internal bruising. Is it possible I could have had a minor stroke, and suffered even remote brain damage that perhaps is undetectable as a result? I recently asked a question about whether or not it was possible for a person to incur damage to their thought processes and lose their capacity for thought and problem solving skills due to stroke and a professional responded with this, which really worried me:

"Damage and the subsequent problems with speech, language, and cognition rely entirely on the site and size of the lesion.

Tissue does not regenerate significantly enough to affect functional recovery, unfortunately.

Yes, it is entrirely possible to have damaged reasoning and problem-solving skills. Typically, in the absence of a language deficit, the lesion in that case would most likely be in the frontal lobe of the right cerebral hemisphere."

I acquired no language difficulties or slurred speech after the incident, and her answer implies that if there are no language issues, then damage usually occurs in the frontal lobe and now I am really worried. What functions are associated with the frontal lobe? I do have OCD and tend to fret over things like this. It seems my OCD is still intact by the way, does this mean anything?

Answer 1

Technically a stroke is when the brain is cut off from oxygen supply, which would lead to a blackout, because the brain cannot function properly and support everything going on.

It IS possible that a lack of oxygen could have damaged some brain tissue, but something like that is usually pretty rare. A head CT scan would reveal and lesions or dead tissue in your brain, so going to a doctor would most likely be better than the answers you'll receive here on Yahoo! Answers.

As for your question about where the symptoms may be stemming from, it may be possible that the lack of oxygen caused impaired function in some areas, but not to the degree of what would happen in a stroke. Also, because you have OCD and the fact that you have given this a lot of thought, it is possible that you have thought these symptoms out. After all, the body controls the mind. Overly obsessing over symptoms can possibly cause those symptoms to appear. It's kind of like the mindset of mass hysteria - very persuadable.

I'd go to a doctor immediately and get a head CT if you're still being troubled by this, and I hope with all my heart that you are OK. IM me or email me if you find the results =).

Answer 2

the frontal lobe controls problem solving, personality, judgement (teenagers dont have fully developed frontal lobes, hence drugs/boozing/stupid risks)

it is possible that you suffered slight brain damage, though the chance is remote, as you did not even black out, which comes way before damage sets in. most likely, it is just stress, and bruising. though, if symptoms persist, you may wish to ask your doctor about a CT scan/MRI/whatever thaey use nowadays.

i hope you told the police and got away from him--he could of easily killed you.