Recognizing Mini Stroke
Mini Strokes or TIA (Transient Ischemic Attacks) often go unnoticed in many cases. It is essential to recognize and notice them, as such episodes may be an alarm signalling a bigger life threatening event yet to come.
What is Stroke?
Stroke is an event characterized by interruption of blood supply to a part of the brain tissue. This may happen due to some blockage in the vessels supplying the brain tissue or else due to sudden spasms or contraction of the blood vessels supplying the brain.
In either case, blood supply to the brain is hampered.
Symptoms and signs of stroke would depend upon it’s severity and part of the brain affected. It can range from slight troubling walking or talking to complete paralysis of one side of the body.
Mini Stroke
Mini stroke, as the name suggests, is a minor form of stroke, where the interruption to blood supply of the brain is transient or temporary. So, for a small duration of time, a part of the brain is deprived of its nutrient and oxygen supply.
Any loss of functionality caused in such episodes is usually recoverable. As the blood supply is restored, brain regains its nutrients and tries to recover its lost functions. Though, the recovery process may take some time.
Why Is It Important To Recognize Mini Stroke?
Mini stroke could be a trailer signalling the coming of some bigger stroke in future. It indicates that there’s some pathology that can lead to obstruction of blood supply in the brain.
Who Is Prone To Getting a Stroke?
If you’re above 55 years of age and have any of the following medical conditions, you need to watchful for strokes-
- History of high blood pressure since past 5 years or more
- Heart disease of any kind. This would include coronary artery blockages, rhythm problems, defective valves etc.
- High blood cholesterol levels
- Diabetes of more than 5 years span
- History of smoking or chewing tobacco
- History of drinking alcohol
- History of strokes in family may also make you prone to getting one
Signs And Symptoms Of Stroke
If you notice anything unusual happening with you, give it a thought. It could be due to transient interruption of brain blood supply. It could be a minor stroke. Symptoms Largely depend upon what part of the brain stroke affects.
However, stroke symptoms are usually unilateral, that is, on one side.
For example,
- Sudden difficulty in speaking or slurring
- Drooping of an eyelid
- Sudden confusion
- Loss of vision for an eye
- Unable to stand or bear body weight on your legs, one side
- Loss of balance
- Sudden headache, usually severe
- Numbness or weakness over a limb or a part of it
