Mini Stroke Symptoms - Dangerous to Ignore
Mini strokes, also known as transient ischemic attacks or TIAs, may seem minor because they are over within minutes, but they are dangerous to ignore. In fact, 10 percent of people in whom mini strokes occur will suffer a major stroke within the next three months. Read on to find mini stroke symptoms and how to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of a TIA.
Mini stroke symptoms
Mini strokes exhibit the same symptoms as actual strokes, but they are temporary instead of permanent. Because different areas of the brain control different parts of the body, where the mini stroke occurs will determine what symptoms you have. For instance, speech and the right side of the body are controlled by the left side of the brain, so if the TIA occurs here, you may have loss of speech along with numbness on the right side of the body. If the cerebellum is involved, you may have loss of coordination and balance. If the TIA occurs at the base of the brain, you may have drop attacks, where you suddenly fall or lose consciousness. If the occipital lobe is affected, you will experience sudden loss of vision or blurred vision.
How you can prevent TIAs
While we cannot control our family history or genetic predisposition to stroke, many risk factors are within our control. First, do not smoke, or if you do, quit immediately. Smoking cigarettes has been linked to blockages in the carotid artery, the main neck artery supplying blood to the brain. Cigarette smoking also raises blood pressure, depletes oxygen levels in the blood, and makes your blood thicker and more likely to clot.
If you have diabetes, work with your physician to control insulin levels. Diabetes not only affects how your body processes sugars, but it also causes changes in the body's blood vessels. Additionally, if glucose levels are high at the time of the stroke, the resulting brain damage is more severe.
If you are overweight, start an exercise regime to reach a healthy weight. Being overweight often leads to high blood pressure, another stroke risk factor. Exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet of grains, vegetables, lean meats or fish, and fruits. Limiting salt and including potassium-rich foods, such as bananas, in the diet are also helpful. In some cases, your physician can prescribe medications to lower blood pressure.
Heart disease can also lead to mini strokes. Atherosclerosis, or a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries, can lead to blockages as well. If you have a history of coronary disease, your doctor may prescribe medications or even surgery to correct the problem.
You know what they say, though - prevention is the key. Preventive screening can determine if you have blockages in the arteries, thereby alerting you to the danger before a mini stroke or stroke occurs. Mobile screening companies are becoming extremely popular, because they are quick and convenient. Because they offer screenings in local communities, many people can even get screened over their lunch break. The screening tests are also painless and non-invasive and will give you and your physician valuable information as to your risk for suffering a TIA or more significant stroke.
Mini stroke symptoms
Mini strokes exhibit the same symptoms as actual strokes, but they are temporary instead of permanent. Because different areas of the brain control different parts of the body, where the mini stroke occurs will determine what symptoms you have. For instance, speech and the right side of the body are controlled by the left side of the brain, so if the TIA occurs here, you may have loss of speech along with numbness on the right side of the body. If the cerebellum is involved, you may have loss of coordination and balance. If the TIA occurs at the base of the brain, you may have drop attacks, where you suddenly fall or lose consciousness. If the occipital lobe is affected, you will experience sudden loss of vision or blurred vision.
How you can prevent TIAs
While we cannot control our family history or genetic predisposition to stroke, many risk factors are within our control. First, do not smoke, or if you do, quit immediately. Smoking cigarettes has been linked to blockages in the carotid artery, the main neck artery supplying blood to the brain. Cigarette smoking also raises blood pressure, depletes oxygen levels in the blood, and makes your blood thicker and more likely to clot.
If you have diabetes, work with your physician to control insulin levels. Diabetes not only affects how your body processes sugars, but it also causes changes in the body's blood vessels. Additionally, if glucose levels are high at the time of the stroke, the resulting brain damage is more severe.
If you are overweight, start an exercise regime to reach a healthy weight. Being overweight often leads to high blood pressure, another stroke risk factor. Exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet of grains, vegetables, lean meats or fish, and fruits. Limiting salt and including potassium-rich foods, such as bananas, in the diet are also helpful. In some cases, your physician can prescribe medications to lower blood pressure.
Heart disease can also lead to mini strokes. Atherosclerosis, or a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries, can lead to blockages as well. If you have a history of coronary disease, your doctor may prescribe medications or even surgery to correct the problem.
You know what they say, though - prevention is the key. Preventive screening can determine if you have blockages in the arteries, thereby alerting you to the danger before a mini stroke or stroke occurs. Mobile screening companies are becoming extremely popular, because they are quick and convenient. Because they offer screenings in local communities, many people can even get screened over their lunch break. The screening tests are also painless and non-invasive and will give you and your physician valuable information as to your risk for suffering a TIA or more significant stroke.
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