Many refer to a transient ischemic attack, or TIA, simply as a mini-stroke. And many endure this condition on their feet. Meanwhile, it is an indication for urgent hospitalization.
Why is that? As doctors say, because a TIA is almost a stroke, it cannot be ignored.
As Fyodor Vetrov, a neurologist, explained, a transient ischemic attack refers to a temporary disruption of blood flow in a brain vessel. As a result, brain cells begin to suffer from oxygen deprivation but do not die: within a day, blood supply to the brain is fully restored on its own. But this does not mean that one can relax — as if everything is fine.
Interestingly
At the moment of a transient ischemic attack, neither CT nor MRI may show brain damage — it is likely that there will be none on the images. Unlike a real stroke, where areas of brain tissue damage will be visible.
This is precisely why it is so difficult to recognize a TIA in time, and this is important. As Fyodor Vetrov warns, the risk of developing a full-blown stroke remains for 48 hours after the attack.
“A TIA, like a stroke, is an indication for emergency hospitalization,” warns Fyodor Vetrov.
How Not to Miss It
The neurologist named seven symptoms of a TIA that should not be ignored. Call an ambulance immediately. Moreover, some of them are indeed similar to a regular stroke:
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sudden weakness or numbness in an arm or leg (usually on one side);
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facial asymmetry, drooping of the corner of the mouth;
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sensory disturbances;
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sudden loss of vision in one eye or double vision;
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severe dizziness with nausea and unsteady gait;
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loss of coordination;
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sudden severe headache without an obvious cause.
According to the doctor, treatment for a transient ischemic attack usually involves therapy that protects against recurrent attacks and an actual stroke. Specialists in the hospital also try to find the cause that triggered the TIA in the patient. And the causes can vary.
Why TIA Occurs
Among the common causes of a transient ischemic attack, Fyodor Vetrov mentions:
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atherosclerosis — most often a plaque is found that obstructs the lumen of the carotid or vertebral arteries;
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heart problems, including heart attack, atrial fibrillation, as well as heart valve defects that can provoke the formation of blood clots;
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hypertension;
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less frequently — arterial dissection, vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessel walls), or blood clotting disorders.
