A Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) is a brief period of stroke-like symptoms. A TIA often only lasts a few minutes and doesn’t result in long-term harm.
A TIA, sometimes known as a ministroke, could be an alert. A stroke will eventually occur in roughly 1 in 3 TIA patients, with about half happening within a year following the TIA.
A TIA can act as a precursor to a stroke as well as a means of preventing one in the future.
Symptoms
Attacks of transient ischemia often last a few minutes. Although symptoms sporadically persist up to 24 hours, the majority of signs and symptoms go away in an hour. Similar to the initial symptoms of a stroke, a transient ischemic attack (TIA) can cause sudden onset of:
- weakness, numbness, or paralysis, usually on one side of the body, in the arm, leg, or face
- speech that is slurred or garbled, or trouble comprehending others
- double vision or blindness in one or both eyes
- dizziness, imbalance, or lack of coordination
Depending on which part of the brain is affected, you may experience repeated signs and symptoms from many TIAs.
Causes of Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)
The most common kind of stroke, an ischemic stroke, and a transient ischemic attack share similar causes. A clot interrupts the blood supply to a portion of the brain during an ischemic stroke. Unlike a stroke, a TIA causes temporary blockage without long-term harm.
The underlying cause of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) is frequently atherosclerosis, or the accumulation of plaques, which are fatty deposits containing cholesterol in an artery or one of its branches that provides the brain with oxygen and nutrition.
A clot may form or the blood flow through an artery may be reduced by a plaque. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) can also be brought on by a blood clot that travels to an artery supplying the brain from another area of the body, usually the heart.
Prevention of Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)
The best ways to avoid a transient ischemic attack are to be aware of your risk factors and lead a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle includes routine check-ups with the doctor. Moreover:
Avoid smoking. Giving up smoking lowers your chance of having a stroke or TIA.
Limit your fat and cholesterol. Reducing your intake of fat and cholesterol, particularly trans and saturated fat, may help prevent plaque from accumulating in your arteries.
Consume a lot of fruits and veggies. Nutrients like potassium, folate, and antioxidants found in these foods may help prevent TIAs and strokes.
Reduce your salt intake. Reducing your intake of salt and avoiding meals high in sodium can help lower your blood pressure if you have high blood pressure. Refusing salt may not stop hypertension, but for those who are susceptible to it, too much sodium can raise blood pressure.
Engage in regular exercise. One of the few natural strategies to lower your blood pressure without medication if you have high blood pressure is to exercise regularly.
Restrict your alcohol consumption. If you use alcohol at all, do it in moderation. For women, the suggested daily limit is one drink, and for men, it is two.
Sustain a healthy weight. Being overweight increases the risk of developing other conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. Dietary and exercise-based weight loss can improve cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure.
Avoid using illegal drugs. Cocaine and other drugs are linked to a higher risk of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke.
Manage your diabetes. Diabetes and hypertension can be controlled by diet, exercise, weight loss, and, if needed, medication.
