Chart your way back to good health with help from our essential stroke symptom checklist

THERE is encouraging news for stroke victims.

A new electronic gizmo is showing promise for helping paralysed limbs back to life, but it is still early days.

The iPod-sized device, developed at the University of Newcastle, could help patients recover use of their hands by triggering nerves through a series of electric shocks.

I doubt you need a refresher on strokes.

Everyone knows to act FAST.

If your Face droops, Arm goes weak and Speech is slurred, it’s Time to dial 999.

So, for a change, here are ten things that might seem like a stroke – but are not.

Trapped nerve

Shooting pain and pins and needles down one arm or leg?

Came on suddenly?

Don’t panic.

It’s distressing but it’s not a stroke.

You have trapped a nerve — a disc has probably popped out in your back or neck.

Take strong painkillers and see your doctor for further treatment if it doesn’t settle down.

Migraine

Some migraines can cause certain stroke-type symptoms, such as a pins and needles sensation down one side of your body.
Clues are you’re probably younger than the average stroke victim, it may have happened before and it comes on gradually over minutes, whereas a stroke is instant.

Plus, within an hour, you’ll get a stonking headache.

If in doubt, get checked.

But if you have had previous episodes, relax.

You might want to sort out some migraine treatment, though.

Fits

One type of fit can cause repeated episodes of weakness, numbness or shaking on one side.

If this ever happens to you, see your doctor pronto.

You will probably need an urgent scan to find out what’s causing them.

Mini-stroke

Exactly like a stroke, except it quickly gets completely better, usually within an hour.

Don’t ignore it — it can be a sign that you are heading for a proper stroke.

Go straight to A&E, where you will get prompt tests and treatment.

Panic attacks

These cause sudden attacks of anxiety, breathlessness and dizziness, plus pins and needles in your hands and around your mouth.

You might convince yourself you’re having a stroke, and that makes the panic worse.

Calm down and breathe slowly — it will pass.

Then make an appointment with your GP.

Talking treatments can help.

Frozen shoulder

One type of frozen shoulder — inflammation of the shoulder muscles — can make the joint seize up virtually overnight.

You can’t move your arm at all, but it’s the pain that stops you rather than weakness.

Use heat and painkillers to get it going again.

Low blood sugar

Diabetics on treatment — either tablets or insulin — sometimes suffer a sudden drop in blood sugar, known as a “hypo”.

This can look exactly like a stroke but is cured almost instantly by an urgent dose of glucose.

Bell’s palsy

Face suddenly gone weak?

You’d be forgiven for thinking “stroke”.

But it could also be paralysis of a nerve in your face, known as Bell’s palsy.

The clue is no symptoms elsewhere.

But get checked ASAP to make sure.

The paralysis usually gets better on its own, but steroid tablets may speed recovery.

Multiple sclerosis

This can cause stroke-like symptoms.

They usually come on gradually, though — over several days or longer.

The numbness and weakness can affect various parts of your body, not just one side.

And you may have had previous trouble.

If your GP suspects MS, he’ll send you to a specialist urgently.

Other brain problems

Blood clots and tumours can cause one-sided weakness and numbness but, again, this usually comes on gradually whereas a stroke is rapid.

This also needs an urgent appointment with a brain specialist.

So even if it’s not a stroke, you may have to act fast. But maybe not FAST.