Also known as TIA, it is a mini stroke that causes symptoms for a temporary period of time that usually does not result in any permanent damage. This occurs as the result of disruption of the blood supply to a part of the brain. It is estimated that around 1 in 3 individuals who experienced TIA will continue to have stroke within a year. Although this condition can resolve itself within a 24 hours period, it usually requires medical attention to evaluate for the presence of stroke.
Causes
TIA develops when the blood vessel to the brain become blocked affecting the oxygen supply. This usually is the result of a blood clot that develops somewhere in the body and has travelled to the blood vessels of the brain. It can also develop as the result of air bubbles or cholesterol. Some of the risk factors for developing this condition include obesity, being over the age of 60, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes, a heart condition known as atrial fibrillation and smoking.
Symptoms
The symptoms associated with TIA usually last for only a few minutes and disappear within few hours. The symptoms are associated with the word FAST; face-arms-speech-time. The face of the affected individual may have one side dropped, inability to lift their arms presenting weakness or numbness, slurred or garbled speech despite remaining conscious. The presence of these symptoms indicates it is time to call emergency medical help. Individuals suspected of stroke should seek medical evaluation to identify the cause and prevent the onset of stroke in the future.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on the evaluation of the individual’s medical history and the risk of cardiovascular disease. The examination will look for the risk factors for stroke such as high levels of cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes and the level of amino acid homocysteine. In addition, the cardiovascular disease may also be evaluated by listening to the sound of the arteries that can indicate atherosclerosis. An eye examination using the ophthalmoscope will help assess cholesterol material or platelet fragments in the blood vessels of the retina. In the cases TIA is suspected, the individual may be referred to a specialist who will conduct various tests to determine the cause. Some of the tests that seek to identify the cause of TIA include CT scan of the brain, carotid ultrasonography that looks for clotting in the carotid arteries, MRI scan of the brain, echocardiography that produces images of the heart and arteriography that also produces images of the arteries in the brain.
Treatment
Although this condition usually resolves on its own, the treatment may be required to prevent another episode of TIA or the stroke in the future. The treatment is based on the individual’s medical history, age and their circumstances. The treatment can consist of drugs for antiplatelets, anticoagulants or medications for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. In some of the cases, the surgery removes the lining of the carotid artery or the blockage that has accumulated. Some of the lifestyle changes to help reduce the stroke include eating healthy diet, quit smoking, reducing alcohol intake and exercising regularly.
References
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Transient-ischaemic-attack/Pages/Treatment.aspx
