Some people experience strokes without being aware of them. They are called silent strokes and either doesn’t have obvious signs or you don’t remember them. But they do harm your brain permanently.
Thinking and memory issues may occur if you’ve had more than one silent stroke. They may also cause more severe strokes.
How to Detect a Silent Stroke
If you experience a silent stroke, you most likely won’t be aware of it until the damage is detected during a brain scan. You might be a little disoriented or have a slight memory issue. Without testing, a doctor may be able to identify symptoms of silent strokes.
Silent strokes differ from other types of strokes including ischemic strokes, micro strokes, and hemorrhagic strokes.
Silent Strokes Are More Common Than You Might Think
About 10% of middle-aged people with no obvious stroke symptoms experienced brain damage, according to research.
The resulting damage is irreversible, however, therapy may assist to stimulate other portions of the brain so you restore capabilities that may have been affected.
The risks of silent stroke
Even though only a small section of your brain is affected and there are no outward signs of a silent stroke, this does not make the condition any less harmful or risky. Such asymptomatic strokes can lead to progressive brain damage.
Additionally, if a person has experienced multiple silent stroke attacks, they may start to have several neurological symptoms, such as memory loss and difficulty focusing.
According to the American Stroke Association, having a silent or asymptomatic stroke increases your risk of developing symptomatic brain strokes in the future. Recent research has shown that those who have experienced several silent stroke episodes are more likely to develop vascular dementia (multi-infarct dementia). The signs include:
- Memory loss or issues with remembering stuff.
- Losing control of bowel and bladder motions.
- Decision-making is challenging.
- Emotional outbursts include improper sobbing or laughter.
- Not identifying previously visited locations.
Are Silent Stroke Damages Reversible?
When your brain cells are permanently harmed by a lack of oxygen, the harm is permanent. The healthy parts of your brain might sometimes balance out the tasks that the damaged component is supposed to perform. The effectiveness of your brain will eventually deteriorate if silent stroke occurrences are frequent.
Are Cognitive Issues Treatable in Any Way?
Rehabilitative therapy can be effective for those who have suffered some functional loss following a stroke, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). You might be able to recuperate with the aid of a team of experts. The following are included in it:
- The Speech Pathologists
- The Exercise Specialist
- The Psychologists
- The Sociologists
Do I need to see a doctor?
Having a stroke is a risky medical condition. Seek quick medical help if you exhibit any stroke-related symptoms.
Consult your doctor if you have no signs of a stroke but are at risk for one. They can assist you in creating a strategy for lowering your risk factors and avoiding a stroke.
The conclusion
Even though a silent stroke doesn’t cause any obvious symptoms, it can still harm your brain.
Silent strokes occur when the blood supply is cut off to a small portion of the brain, harming the brain cells, much like ordinary ischemic strokes do. Your physical and mental capabilities as well as the health of your brain are all negatively impacted by silent strokes.
Your chance of suffering a stroke can be decreased by:
- Exercising and eating a balanced diet
- Keeping a healthy weight
- Lowering cholesterol to the desired range
- Reduce salt consumption
Talk to your doctor about adjustments you could do to prevent silent strokes if you’re worried about them.