Your brain and head need a constant supply of blood to function efficiently. However, there are times when blood vessels get clogged due to deposits of fatty acid known as plaques. This condition is called carotid artery disease. This is a dangerous condition as patients with this disease face a high risk of strokes as well. However, it is hard to understand when one has this illness as there are no definite signs of carotid artery disease in the early stages.

The development of carotid artery disease is slow, and that’s the reason why the signs of carotid artery disease show up after a lot of time has passed. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) or a stroke is the first and the most apparent sign of this disease. TIA is the temporary shortage of blood flow to one’s brain. A stroke takes place when a blood clot obstructs a blood vessel or when the artery has narrowed down due to deposits of fatty acid.

Here are some other signs that can help people find out whether they have the carotid artery disease.

• Sudden numbness: One of the first signs of carotid artery disease is that one may feel a sudden numbness or weakness in one part or side of the body. This numbness makes movement on that side of the body or that part very difficult.
• Sudden trouble with speaking: On some occasions, one might face a problem while speaking or hearing someone accurately. Patients with this symptom will find it difficult to hear a person who is standing close enough to whisper into their ears.
• Disturbance in vision and dizziness: There are times when patients might have trouble seeing while walking along the road. They may also experience sudden dizziness at the same time. This is one of the most apparent signs of carotid artery disease.

If one is diagnosed with any of these symptoms, then they can treat it with a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and sometimes, a surgery. As a safety measure, here are some steps that one can take to prevent this illness:

• One should avoid smoking.
• One must try to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
• One must exercise regularly.
• One should follow a well-balanced diet to avoid obesity.