What is a Transient Ischemic Stroke?

I’m sure some of you have never heard of this term. Okay, what about mini-stroke? Ring any bells?? YES!! That’s what a Transient Ischemic Attack is, a mini-stroke. The blood supplies oxygen to every part of our body and one of the most important parts is our brain. But what if something obstructs this transportation? What if the blood flow is cut off? There can be huge consequences and one of them is having a transient ischemic attack or a mini-stroke.

Also shortly called as TIA, a mini-stroke occurs when the blood supply to  any part of your brain is cut-off for a short period of time. It shows symptoms like that of a stroke but does not cause any permanent damage and is short lived. But one should not take it lightly, especially if there has been more than one episode as they can be a sign of some major stroke in the future. Researches show that 1 in every 3 people have had a major stroke eventually after having an episode of TIA.

But hey, you need not be scared as I’m here to give you the necessary information that can help you to identify and take precautions as well as measures when or if you have a TIA.

Causes

The reason for TIA is as I above mentioned, shortage of blood supply to the brain. You all might know that oxygen is a necessity for healthy functioning of our brain. Our brain uses 20% of our body’s oxygen on average. When sufficient oxygen doesn’t reach our brain, that’s when we start feeling weak and dizzy. That’s when clots start forming in the arteries that go to the brain. Fatty, waxy substances start getting deposited in the arteries, which are called plaques and responsible for these clots that ultimately cause mini-stroke.

But transient ischemic attacks are different from major strokes because in TIA, the clot is temporary and gets broken down or pushed by the chemicals in the body, hence leading to normal flow of the blood back again in a few minutes but a major stroke has more severe consequences and may cause permanent damage.

Symptoms

Most signs and symptoms usually disappear in an hour of a TIA but in rare cases, some symptoms may last up to 24 hours. Nonetheless, it’s necessary to call in an emergency because in case it is a stroke, every second counts. Symptoms can vary according to the part of the brain that is affected. If one has experienced multiple TIAs, the signs may vary a bit every time.

• Paralysis usually on one side of the body
• Difficulty in lifting arms and legs
• Difficulty in speaking (slurred and incomprehensive speech)
• Difficulty in understanding others
• Droopy face (having problem with smiling)
• Severe headache
• Vertigo, loss of balance and coordination
• Weakness and numbness

 

Risk Factor

 

There are some factors that increase your chances to have a TIA. While some of them cannot be really helped with, there are a few that you can control.

 

Risk Factors That Cannot be Controlled

 

• Family history i.e. if your parents or other immediate family members have had TIA or stroke in the past.
• Age is another factor as the chances of TIA go up as you get older, especially after the age of 55.
• Chances of TIA and stroke are higher in men than women.
• A prior episode of TIA also increases the risk of a future one.
• It is also common in people who have sickle cell anemia , which is a genetic disorder.

 

Risk Factors That Can Be Controlled

 

Lifestyle choices and certain health conditions also increase your chances for a TIA and stroke. So, it is necessary that you bring about good changes in these two areas of your life and try to prevent the harmful factors. Some of the factors can be:

• Smoking – Reduce your smoking habits as it increases the chances of blood clots.
• High blood pressure and cholesterol – While high blood pressure in itself can increase the chances of having a stroke, high cholesterol can lead to fatty depositions and clotting in your arteries.
• Cardiovascular diseases like heart failure, heart defect or some infection and abnormal rhythming in the heart.
• Diabetes increases the severity of fatty depositions in your arteries, hence narrowing them.
• Heavy Drinking – Limit your drinking habits to one or two glasses daily or if possible make it occasional.
• Obesity is also a leading factor of strokes and TIA. Try to maintain your weight.

 

Other things that can help you in lowering the risks are avoiding illicit use of drugs, being active and exercising daily. Yoga is also a very good way to keep your mind and body fit. And last but not the least, eat nutritious food. Give your body all the nutrients it needs in the correct amount.

 

Treatment

 

Once the doctor is familiar with your situation and done with their diagnosis with the help of various physical tests, ultrasonography, CT, etc., S/he can provide various treatment methods which are but not limited to :

• Medication – These are given to lower further risks of strokes and depend on the location, type and severity of your stroke. Your doctor might give you an antiplatelet drug or anticoagulants as per your needs.
• Surgery – Your doctor might suggest a carotid endarterectomy in case the artery in your neck that leads up to your brain is narrow or clogged. It is called a carotid artery. The artery is opened by an incision and then closed again after removing the plaques.
• Angioplasty – Carotid angioplasty also known as stenting is another option. In this procedure, a balloon-like device is used to open a clogged artery  and then a small wire tube, stent, is placed to keep it open.

I have seen a video of a doctor doing this back when I was getting coached for pre-medical entrance and it doesn’t take much time, though in some cases, it has to be redone every few years.

Prevalence

Transient ischemic attacks are very common and so are strokes. There are about 1 million cases in India every year, the most common being in adults and senior citizens (I.e. after 40 years of age).

Conclusion

From this article, you might have gained necessary and sufficient information about transient ischemic attacks but do not go for self diagnosis, treatment or medication. Please see a doctor if you have an episode as it can be life threatening in the near future. Live a healthy life, take care of your body, mind and you’ll be good to live long years ahead!!