What is a transient ischemic attack?
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a short episode in which the blood flow is temporarily interrupted in a vessel in the brain. TIA is often called mini stroke because symptoms are similar to symptoms in a patient suffering from a stroke. TIA episodes serve as an indicator that the patient is a more serious brain. Anyone with symptoms of a temporary ischemic attack should immediately seek medical care.
If a transient ischemic attack is taken as a warning, it should encourage the patient to make a lifestyle that can prevent deactivating stroke. Symptoms suffered during TIA can last anywhere from five minutes to 24 hours, but most often last about one hour. Because these episodes are short -term, the patient does not suffer from no permanent brain damage and all symptoms should disappear.
The symptoms of a transient ischemic attack may occur suddenly and may include dullness and tingling on the left or right side of the body, as well as muscle weakness and dizziness. The patient can also zexceed the sudden loss of vision or have difficulty communicating. These symptoms vary and depend on the placement of the blood vessel in the brain that has been blocked.
blood circulates into the brain through the left and right carotid arteries as well as vertebral arteries. In patients suffering from atherosclerosis the disease, carotid arteries are susceptible to plaque accumulation along the inner walls. Plaque can cause the arterial opening leakage. If the pieces of plaque relax and move to the brain, the patient could experience a temporary ischemic attack.
patients with heart disease or high blood pressure may develop a blood clot in the heart, which can then travel to the brain and cause TIA. Because the TIA is temporary, the blood clot can quickly dissolve or flow through the container to allow the bltok Ood to be restored to the brain. It is important that the physician determines the basic cause of a temporary ischemic attack and creates a treatment plan.
diagnosis withE usually performs a complete medical history of the patient and description of symptoms. Computer tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance (MRI) would give the doctor a complete view of the brain. Ultrasound of carotid arteries would indicate the accumulation of plaque. The doctor would also have to carefully test any heart disease and high blood pressure.
treatment would probably include blood thinners such as aspirin, which prevent blood clotting. Cholesterol drugs may be prescribed if the patient has atherosclerosis. If necessary, carotid arteries may be scratched surgically to remove any plaque. Any basic heart disease would have to be treated.
The physician can recommend various lifestyle changes that can help to help serious stroke. Patients who smoke cigarettes would be recommended to stop smoking. Eating a low fat diet, developing a exercise plan and regular monitoring of cholesterol and blood pressure are positive changes that a patia wouldNt's could help prevent future diseases.