Understanding TIA Transient Ischaemic Attack

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke is an attack that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is impaired moment. This attack usually lasts shorter than the stroke, ie for a few minutes to several hours, and the patient will recover within one day.Although only a moment, TIA is a warning of impending attacks more severe. Ever experienced a TIA means you have a higher risk for stroke and heart attack.

Understanding TIA Transient Ischaemic Attack

If not handled properly, it is estimated that approximately 20 percent of patients with TIA will have a stroke in the next year. While people with TIA potentially having a heart attack the same year is about 30 percent.

The symptoms of TIA
TIA symptoms that indicate generally occur suddenly and are similar to the early indications are experienced by people with stroke. The symptoms of this attack include:

  1. One side of the mouth and the patient's face looks down.
  2. Arms or legs paralyzed or becomes weak and can not be removed, followed paralysis on one side of the body.
  3. How to talk to a chaotic and unclear.
  4. Trouble understanding the words of others.
  5. Loss of balance or coordination.
  6. Dizzy.
  7. Daze.
  8. Difficulty swallowing.
  9. Blurred vision or blindness.
Do not underestimate the symptoms of TIA although these symptoms may disappear by itself. These attacks indicate that you have the risk of having a stroke in the next stage.

Immediately to the hospital if you experience or see others show symptoms of TIA. People who have suffered a mild stroke, but has not checked out are also advised to undergo a checkup at the hospital.

Causes Behind TIA
TIA is generally caused by a small clot that lodged in the blood vessels of the brain. These clots can be either fat or air bubbles.

The blockage will impede blood flow and lead to a lack of oxygen in certain parts of the brain. This can lead to disruption of brain function.

In contrast to the stroke, clots cause of the TIA will be destroyed by itself so that the brain functions will return to normal. Therefore, TIA does not cause significant damage.

Risk Factors TIA
There are several factors that are believed to increase the risk for you to experience a TIA, among which are:
  1. Age. TIA risk increases with age, especially for senior citizens over 60 years.
  2. Gender. A man's risk for a TIA is higher than women.
  3. Heredity. If anyone in your family who have had a TIA, you have a higher risk of developing the same attack.
  4. Poor lifestyle. Such as smoking, consuming alcohol in excess, lack of exercise, eating salty foods and fatty foods, and using illegal drugs. The pattern of life that are not maintained can also trigger factors to the risk of hypertension, obesity, and high cholesterol.
  5. Influence particular disease or disorder. TIA risk in people with heart defects, heart failure, heart infections, abnormal heart rate, and diabetes will be higher than normal people.
Diagnosis Process TIA
Examination and diagnosis of TIA should be done as early as possible. This process will help the doctor to lower your risk for a more severe attack later.

TIA attacks tend to be short duration so that new sufferers generally underwent an examination after the symptoms subside. The doctor will ask the symptoms and duration of attacks that you have experienced it first. Physical examination will you live, such as blood pressure checks.

If you suspect you are having a TIA, your doctor may recommend a series of checks and tests are more detailed. This process includes:
  1. Neurological examination, as well as the ability to coordinate the body's response.
  2. Blood tests. This test allows the doctor to examine the risk factors behind the TIA, for example, cholesterol and blood sugar.
  3. Carotid ultrasound. This type of ultrasound is used to examine whether there is any narrowing or blockage of the carotid artery in the neck.
  4. Examination of electrocardiogram (ECG). This test can detect abnormal heart rhythms that became one of the risk factors for TIA.
MRI and CT scans of the brain. This step was taken when the location of the TIA on the brain are unknown.
The types of checks are also useful to find the cause behind the attack TIA you experienced, as well as examine the level of risk of stroke you have.

Step Treatment and Prevention of TIA
Each TIA patients would require this type of treatment is different. Your doctor will determine the appropriate treatment step based on several factors, including age, health condition, as well as the cause of TIA.

Handling TIA aims to treat or correct the abnormality and prevent the risk of stroke. This step is done through medication and surgery.

Drugs used to prevent the risk of stroke. The location, cause, severity, and type of TIA experienced will be the deciding factor in choosing the type of drug. Here are some types of drugs commonly given by doctors.
  1. Antiplatelet and anticoagulant. Both drugs work to prevent clotting and blood clots. Aspirin, clopidogrel and dipyridamole are examples of antiplatelet. While anticoagulant drugs include warfarin, dabigatran, and heparin.
  2. Antihypertensives. As the name implies, this drug is used to treat hypertension. Examples are beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE inhibitors), as well as calcium channel blockers (calcium channel blockers).
  3. Statins. The benefits of statins is to lower cholesterol levels in the body. Several types of statins are often the doctor is simvastatin, rosuvastatin and atorvastatin.
In certain cases, surgery is sometimes needed by the patient. This step is performed when the narrowing or clotting Moderate to severe levels in the carotid artery. This type of procedure that may be suggested is carotid endarterectomy and angioplasty.

In addition to medications and surgery, lifestyle changes will also play an important role in the treatment process. This method can reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack for people with TIA, TIA again and prevent attacks.

Prevention is very useful for everyone, especially those who have a high risk. Some simple steps you can take include:
  1. Applying a healthy diet and balanced. Limit your intake of salt and fat and increase consumption of foods rich in fiber, like fruits and vegetables fresh.
  2. Diligent exercise. You are encouraged to perform physical activity strenuous enough, at least 2.5 hours a week.
  3. Quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption. Both of these steps will not only reduce the risk of TIA and stroke, but also other diseases.
  4. Maintain a healthy weight. This step will prevent you from being obese triggers TIA.
  5. Address the conditions that may cause the TIA carefully, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

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