Signs That Might Save a Life From Stroke

17. A Sudden, Severe Sensation of Light Sensitivity

Strokes can affect the brain's visual processing centers, leading to unusual and severe symptoms beyond simple vision loss. A sudden and intense light sensitivity, also known as photophobia, can be a sign. This is not the mild discomfort you feel on a sunny day; it's an acute, painful reaction to even low levels of light, often accompanied by a headache. This symptom is a direct signal that the brain's occipital lobe, which is responsible for vision, is under duress.

18. Sudden Inability to Swallow a Pill

An alarming sign to watch out for is the sudden inability to swallow something you normally can, like a daily vitamin or a small pill. This is an abrupt sign of a severe neurological impairment affecting the throat muscles. The brain's complex swallowing mechanism requires precise timing and coordination, and a stroke can disrupt this process. If you can swallow food and liquid but suddenly find that you can't get a pill down, it's a clear signal that something is wrong.