Transient ischemic attacks
Transient Ischemic Attacks
Transient ischemic attacks (pronunciation: tran-zee-uhnt is-kee-mik at-taks), often abbreviated as TIA, are brief episodes of temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain, often described as a "mini-stroke".
Etymology
The term "Transient ischemic attack" originates from the Latin words "transiens" meaning passing over or transient, "ischemia" meaning insufficient blood flow, and "attack" referring to the sudden onset of symptoms.
Definition
A Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is characterized by stroke symptoms that last less than 24 hours before disappearing. While TIAs generally do not cause permanent brain damage, they are a serious warning sign of a possible future stroke and should not be ignored.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a TIA are similar to that of a stroke, but do not last as long. They occur suddenly, and include numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body, confusion or difficulty in talking or understanding speech, trouble seeing in one or both eyes, and difficulty with walking, dizziness, or loss of balance and coordination.
Causes
TIAs are caused by a temporary decrease in blood supply to part of your brain, which may be caused by the narrowing of brain arteries (stenosis), clot formation (thrombosis), or clot travelling from another part of the body (embolism).
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of a TIA is often based on the patient's medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests such as a CT scan or MRI of the brain, carotid ultrasound, echocardiogram, or an arteriogram.
Treatment
Treatment for TIAs usually involves taking medications to prevent a stroke or undergoing surgery to remove the blockage or repair the damaged blood vessels. Lifestyle changes such as healthy diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption can also reduce the risk of future TIAs or strokes.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Transient ischemic attacks
- Wikipedia's article - Transient ischemic attacks
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