Doctors have confirmed that stroke-like symptoms that disappear shortly after they appear can be warning signs of what is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA).
This condition is also referred to as a “mini-stroke” or “warning stroke,” and its symptoms are similar to those of a stroke, which include a drooping face, arm weakness, and slurred speech.
According to Dr. Ahmed Itrat, medical director of stroke at Cleveland Clinic Acorn General Hospital, the only difference between a TIA and a stroke is that it does not result in permanent neurological injury.
But people who have a TIA often go on to have a full-blown stroke, a serious, life-threatening medical condition in which the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, in the days or weeks that follow.
“It’s really a harbinger for many people that they’re going to have a stroke within the next 48 hours and certainly within the next seven, 30, 90 days,” said Dr. Brandon Giglio, director of vascular neurology at NYU Langone Hospital.
Everything you need to know about transient ischemic attack
A “mini-stroke” (or transient ischemic attack) can occur when the blood supply to the brain is temporarily cut off.
Like a stroke, symptoms of a TIA can include:
– Balance: The person may experience changes in balance or loss of balance.
– Vision: Changes in vision may occur, such as blurred vision, vision loss, or double vision.
– Face: The face may droop on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or the mouth or eye may droop.
Arms: A person may not be able to raise both arms and keep them raised due to weakness or numbness in one arm.
– Speech: Their speech may be unclear or garbled, or the person may not be able to speak at all, even though they appear awake, and they may also have problems understanding what you are saying to them.
If these signs appear, it will be necessary to call emergency services or go to the hospital.
The patient may suffer from a combination of these symptoms or just one symptom, so it is important not to wait until more than one sign appears.
“A TIA may last five or 10 minutes, but sometimes it only strikes for 30 to 60 seconds,” says Dr. Joshua Willey, a stroke neurologist at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Experts say that “the effects last from a few minutes to a few hours and disappear completely within 24 hours.”
Although a “mini-stroke” may only last seconds or minutes, experts say you should never ignore it because it quickly goes away.
“Although TIAs are transient attacks by their name, when a person experiences symptoms, there is no way to predict whether they will go away in the future or whether the symptoms will persist and lead to disability,” Dr. Itrat added.
This means that a minute of arm pain or blurred vision should not be underestimated. While the discomfort may subside within seconds, it could herald more serious consequences days or months later.
Source: The Sun
#days #before. #Surprising #warning #signs #stroke
2024-09-07 03:47:17
You are dispatched to a home where you find a 70-year-old man
Table of Contents
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): A Warning Sign of Stroke
A transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a “mini-stroke” or “warning stroke,” is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain that can cause stroke-like symptoms. Like a stroke, a TIA can result in a range of symptoms, including weakness, numbness, or paralysis on one side of the body, slurred speech or difficulty understanding others, blindness in one or both eyes, and dizziness [[3]]. According to Dr. Ahmed Itrat, medical director of stroke at Cleveland Clinic Acorn General Hospital, the only difference between a TIA and a stroke is that a TIA does not result in permanent neurological injury [[1]].
Symptoms of a Transient Ischemic Attack
Symptoms of a TIA can include:
Changes in balance or loss of balance
Changes in vision, such as blurred vision, vision loss, or double vision
A drooping face, difficulty smiling, or a drooping mouth or eye
Weakness or numbness in one arm, making it difficult to raise both arms
Slurred speech or difficulty understanding others
Severe headache
Duration of a Transient Ischemic Attack
The effects of a TIA can last from a few minutes to a few hours and disappear completely within 24 hours [[2]]. According to Dr. Joshua Willey, a stroke neurologist at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, a TIA may last five or 10 minutes, but sometimes it only strikes for 30 to 60 seconds [[Original text]].
Importance of Seeking Medical Attention
If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, it is essential to call emergency services or go to the hospital immediately. Do not wait for more than one symptom to appear, as a TIA is a warning sign that a stroke may occur in the near future. Experts say that people who have a TIA often go on to have a full-blown stroke, a serious and life-threatening medical condition, in the days or weeks that follow [[Original text]].
Conclusion
A transient ischemic attack is a warning sign that a stroke may occur, and it is crucial to take these symptoms seriously and seek medical attention immediately. By understanding the symptoms and importance of seeking medical help, you can reduce the risk of a full-blown stroke and ensure timely treatment.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): A Warning Sign of Stroke
A transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a “mini-stroke” or “warning stroke,” is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain that can cause stroke-like symptoms. Like a stroke, a TIA can result in a range of symptoms, including weakness, numbness, or paralysis on one side of the body, slurred speech or difficulty understanding others, blindness in one or both eyes, and dizziness [[3]]. According to Dr. Ahmed Itrat, medical director of stroke at Cleveland Clinic Acorn General Hospital, the only difference between a TIA and a stroke is that a TIA does not result in permanent neurological injury [[1]].
Symptoms of a Transient Ischemic Attack
Symptoms of a TIA can include:
Changes in balance or loss of balance
Changes in vision, such as blurred vision, vision loss, or double vision
A drooping face, difficulty smiling, or a drooping mouth or eye
Weakness or numbness in one arm, making it difficult to raise both arms
Slurred speech or difficulty understanding others
Severe headache
Duration of a Transient Ischemic Attack
The effects of a TIA can last from a few minutes to a few hours and disappear completely within 24 hours [[2]]. According to Dr. Joshua Willey, a stroke neurologist at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, a TIA may last five or 10 minutes, but sometimes it only strikes for 30 to 60 seconds [[Original text]].
Importance of Seeking Medical Attention
If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, it is essential to call emergency services or go to the hospital immediately. Do not wait for more than one symptom to appear, as a TIA is a warning sign of a potential stroke. According to Dr. Brandon
