Cerebral thrombosis is a type of stroke that happens when a blood clot blocks an artery in the brain. The signs usually start without warning and get worse over minutes to hours. Knowing what to look for can help you act fast and limit brain damage.
The most common first clue is sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body—face, arm, or leg. Your smile may droop, or you may not be able to lift one hand. Speech can become slurred or jumbled; some people lose the ability to speak at all. Vision may blur or disappear in one eye, and you might feel dizzy or off balance, as if the room is spinning.
Headache is usually mild or absent, but some people feel a dull, steady ache that feels different from their usual headaches. Sudden confusion, trouble understanding others, or difficulty walking—like dragging one foot or stumbling—are other red flags. In severe cases, you may lose consciousness or have a seizure.
Time matters: if any of these signs appear, call emergency services right away. Quick treatment can open the blocked vessel and save brain cells.
| Symptom | What it feels like |
|---|---|
| Weakness/numbness | One-sided face droop, arm or leg won’t move |
| Speech problems | Slurred words, can’t talk, or doesn’t make sense |
| Vision loss | Blurry sight or blackout in one eye |
| Balance issues | Dizzy, stumbling, dragging one foot |
| Headache | Mild steady ache, not the usual migraine |
| Confusion | Sudden trouble thinking or understanding others |