For years, researchers have claimed that men and women experience stroke symptoms differently. Studies of stroke warning signs highlight the fact that the mortality rate for female stroke survivors is higher than male stroke survivors, mostly as the result of treatment delays and the failure to report critical symptoms. According to this data, women may not experience the classic symptoms of a stroke. This leaves us with one question: Do men and women experience these symptoms differently?
What Are the Classic Signs & Symptoms?
The classic signs and symptoms of stroke can include headache, numbness and/or tingling (typically on one side of the body), difficulty speaking, confusion, dizziness, and vision changes. The severity of these symptoms will depend on the seriousness of the stroke. Statistics indicate women are less likely to report “minor” symptoms, attributing them to other health conditions or increased levels of stress or ignoring them because they fear being seen as complainers.
If your aging parent has had a stroke, compassionate professional help is just a phone call away. Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Lifestar Home Care for the help they need. We provide high-quality in-home care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
What Are the Common Stroke Symptoms in Women?
In another study of gender and stroke, the majority of women who participated reported having atypical signs and symptoms. In order of most to least prominent, the symptoms women experienced included fainting or loss of consciousness, difficulty with breathing, pain, or thinking they had experienced seizures. Interpretation of symptoms is also an important consideration when looking at how these symptoms may be experienced.
A home caregiver can help your parent age in place safely by monitoring for signs of stroke and other health conditions. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, medication reminders, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Lifestar Home Care, a leading provider of Home Care Oklahoma City families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
How Are Stroke Symptoms Different for Men & Women?
The National Stroke Association (NSA) recognizes there’s indeed a difference in stroke symptoms for men and women. They recommend seeking help immediately if classic signs and symptoms have been experienced, but they’ve also added to the list of symptoms for women.
Sudden hiccups that don’t go away, shortness of breath, chest pain, heart palpitations, and weakness are atypical symptoms many female stroke survivors experience. These can accompany the classic signs and symptoms of a stroke or may be experienced by themselves.
Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Oklahoma City, OK, Live-in Care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of a live-in caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place. Lifestar Home Care can be your trusted partner in caregiving for your aging loved one. Contact one of our experienced Care Managers today to learn more about our reliable in-home care services.