Signs and symptoms of<unk>  are widely variable and can mimic other neurologic conditions, making the clinical context and physical exam crucial in ruling in or out the diagnosis. The most common presenting symptoms of<unk>  are focal neurologic deficits, which can include, but are not limited to: * Amaurosis fugax (painless, temporary loss of vision) * One-sided facial droop * One-sided motor weakness * Diplopia (double vision) * Problems with balance and spatial orientation or dizziness * Visual field deficits, such as homonymous hemianopsia or monocular blindness * Sensory deficits in one or more limbs and of the face * Loss of ability to understand or express speech (aphasia) * Difficulty with articulation of speech (dysarthria) * Unsteady gait * Difficulties with swallowing (dysphagia) Numbness or weakness generally occur on the opposite side of the body from the affected hemisphere of the brain. A detailed neurologic exam, including a thorough cranial nerve exam, is important to identify these findings and to differentiate them from mimickers of<unk> . Symptoms such as unilateral weakness, amaurosis fugax, and double vision have higher odds of representing<unk>  compared to memory loss, headache, and blurred vision. Below is a table of symptoms at presentation, and what percentage of the time they are seen in<unk> s versus conditions that mimic<unk> . In general, focal deficits make<unk>  more likely, but the absence of focal findings do not exclude the diagnosis and further evaluation may be warranted if clinical suspicion for<unk>  is high (see "Diagnosis" section below).<unk>  versus mimics Symptoms %<unk>  mimics %<unk> s Unilateral paresis 29.1 58 Memory loss/cognitive impairment 18 to 26 2 to 12 Headache 14.6 to 23 2 to 36 Blurred vision 21.8 5.2 Dysarthria 12.7 20.6 Hemianopia 3.6 3.6<unk>  monocular blindness 0 6 Diplopia 0 4.8 Non-focal symptoms such as amnesia, confusion, incoordination of limbs, unusual cortical visual symptoms (such as isolated bilateral blindness or bilateral positive visual phenomena), headaches and<unk>  loss of consciousness are usually not associated with<unk> , however patient assessment is still needed. Public awareness on the need to seek a medical assessment for these non-focal symptoms is also low, and can result in a delay by patients to seek treatment Symptoms of<unk> s can last on the order of minutes to one–two hours, but occasionally may last for a longer period of time.<unk> s used to be defined as<unk>  events in the brain that last less than 24 hours, but given the variation in duration of symptoms, this definition holds less significance. A pooled study of 808 patients with<unk> s from 10 hospitals showed that 60% lasted less than one hour, 71% lasted less than two hours, and 14% lasted greater than six hours. Importantly, patients with symptoms that last more than one hour are more likely to have permanent neurologic damage, making prompt diagnosis and treatment important to maximize recovery.
Transient ischemic attack
Seizure
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Epidural hematoma
Hemiplegic migraine
Ménière's disease  Ménière's disease  1
Watershed stroke
Migraine