The attack creeps up and suddenly your world changes.Talking becomes difficult and attempts to speak result in slurred, unintelligible sounds.People draw near, showing concern, but their words make no sense.Everything seems strange, confusing and off-kilter.What’s happening to you?Will it stop?
And then, just as quickly, the world snaps back to normal.
This frightening experience represents a transient ischemic attack (TIA), known also as a mini-stroke.Other symptoms may include numbness in an arm or leg, blurred vision, dizziness, loss of balance and/or visual problem.These fleeting symptoms should be taken seriously.More than one-third of people who experience a TIA will later have a stroke, the third leading cause of death in the US and the leading cause of long-term disability, according to the National Institutes of Health.
A mini-stoke occurs after a blood clot or fatty deposits begins to clog the carotid artery, located in the neck.As blood pushes through the narrowing vessel, part of a blood clot from the artery wall may break off and travel into a smaller brain artery, restricting the blood flow to part of the brain.
If one of those smaller arteries gets blocked, the brain tissue will be deprived of blood and stop functioning.The symptoms depend upon the area of the brain that looses blood flow.
In the case of mini-strokes, the body is able to restore blood flow to the brain tissue, and the symptoms go away within 24 hours.If the clot is larger and it blocks a larger artery in the brain that is a stroke and permanent damage most likely will occur.
Anyone who experiences a TIA as described above should see their doctor ASAP (within 24 hours); even if the symptoms have disappeared before the doctor’s appointment.
After a thorough exam by the doctor and a battery of tests, targeted treatment is essential.Medications such as blood thinners or platelet antagonists (like Plavix) will usually be ordered.If there is sufficient blockage in the carotid artery, you may need surgery quickly to open up the blocked artery.
Another goal for someone who has had a TIA is to reduce risks for a full-blown stroke.Lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, a cholesterol laden diet and lack of exercise should be addressed.
A mini-stroke is a message from your body.For those who heed the warning, a TIA can offer a second chance.If you get treatment and make changes to your lifestyle, you could avoid having the big one.
In His Great Love,
Janet Headley, RN
Janet is the very busy Parish Nurse at Trinity United Methodist Church and worked with Norma Pitzer at the Health Department. She has graciously agreed to share her newsletter articles with us.
