Facial droop is also a hallmark trait of the asymmetricalsymptoms of a stroke.
Called hemiplegia, weakness or paralysis on one side of the body is the quintessential stroke symptom.
However, a stroke affects much more than facial muscle tone.
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Both a stroke and Bell’s palsy can cause a facial droop.
There are two distinct types of stroke: hemorrhagic and ischemic.
Both types of stroke can lead to permanent disability.
Depending on the size and location of the hemorrhage, it can sometimes be treated by evacuating the bleeding.
A TIA has a similar mechanism to an ischemic stroke, without permanent brain damage.
Having a TIA increases the risk of a future stroke.
Unlike strokes, Bell’s palsy will not directly involve the brain.
This means a patient with Bell’s palsy will not be confused or have difficulty understanding speech.
There will not be any involvement of other areas of the body besides the face.
Patients with Bell’s palsy do not have difficulty standing, walking, or using their arms and hands.
All of these signs and symptoms could potentially show up in a stroke as well.
If anything beyond the facial nerve is involved, it’s not Bell’s palsy.
Patients with epilepsy can have one-sided weakness following a seizure, called Todd’s paralysis.
Sometimes, seizures can cause neurological signs and symptoms that mimic strokes, without the typical convulsions.
The decreased blood flow can cause the brain to exhibit similar signs and symptoms to a stroke.
Aortic dissectionwas the stroke mimic most likely to be fatal.
Half of the stroke mimics that caused death in that study were from an aortic dissection.
Syncope
A sudden loss of consciousness from a drop in blood pressure is calledsyncope.
The most common causes are cardiac conditions and vagus nerve stimulation.
Sepsis
A systemic infection that affects multiple body systems is known as sepsis.
Psychiatric Condition
The second most common stroke mimic identified in the same study was a psychiatric diagnosis.
A systolic blood pressure (top number) of more than 140 mm/Hg may indicate brain involvement.
Patients who were feeling sick prior to the onset of symptoms could have a different condition.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stroke signs and symptoms.
2014;186(12):917-22. doi: 10.1503%2Fcmaj.131801
