28.02.2025 16:00
35-year-old Ian Applegate, who lives in the United States, experienced a severe headache and dizziness after sneezing three times. Realizing that the left side of his body was numb, Applegate understood that he was having a stroke. He was immediately taken to the hospital, where it was determined that he had a vertebral artery dissection (VAD). This condition had led to a blockage in the artery and a stroke at the base of the brain.
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35-year-old Ian Applegate, who lives in the United States, experienced a life-changing health crisis after sneezing three times on an ordinary day. While sitting in his car with his wife Jennifer and their 4-year-old son Jon, Ian sneezed violently and suddenly felt a severe headache and dizziness after the third sneeze.
"I felt tingling on the left side of my body, and it went completely numb. I realized at that moment that I was having a stroke. The pain was unbearable, I was confused, and I was vomiting," he recounted his experience.
Rushed to Dominican Hospital, tests revealed that the severe sneezing had caused a tear in the vertebral artery in his neck. This condition, known in medical terms as "vertebral artery dissection" (VAD), had led to a blockage in the artery and a stroke at the base of the brain.
Doctors prescribed blood thinners to Ian to prevent blood clotting. The young man, who has been in the hospital since the beginning of February, is undergoing intensive rehabilitation therapy to retrain the muscles on his left side. Ian, who is experiencing difficulty swallowing and weakness on his left side after the stroke, currently needs assistance to walk.
Describing the tragic event he experienced, Ian said, "I never thought something like this was possible. Now I am afraid to sneeze." He is trying to expedite his treatment process because his eight-month-pregnant wife is due to give birth in April: "I want to be there for the birth of our baby. I am trying to stay positive and continue my exercises until I recover."
Experts state that vertebral artery dissection is quite rare, occurring in about 1 in 100,000 people annually. Although this condition does not always lead to a stroke, it can have serious consequences depending on the location and degree of the tear.
Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke can save lives. When sudden numbness in the face, arms, or legs, speech difficulties, severe headache, or loss of balance are observed, immediate medical assistance is required.
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