Transient Ischemic Attack
Alternate Names : TIA, Reversible Ischemic Neurologic Disease (RIND), Ministroke
What are the treatments for the condition?
Most people with transient ischemic attacks are treated right away with aspirin
and then with blood thinners if they do not have bleeding into the brain. Blood
thinners help prevent further TIAs or strokes.
Because the symptoms of a TIA are the same as those of a stroke, the emergency medical system should be
contacted
immediately. These symptoms include a sudden onset of:
severe headache
weakness or numbness
of the face,
arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
dizziness
trouble walking or loss of balance, known as ataxia
confusion
speech impairments,
including
trouble speaking or understanding speech
visual impairments
Specific types of medication may be needed in special cases. For instance,
those with a heart infection may be given antibiotics. Those with arteritis are
often given corticosteroids, such as prednisone, to reduce inflammation in the
brain.
If an individual has significant narrowing of the carotid arteries, a carotid
endarterectomy may be recommended to widen them. This surgical procedure removes
the cholesterol plaques and may prevent future strokes. The decision to
perform surgery will depend on the person's neurological status, the type of
plaque clogging the artery, and whether the plaque has a break in it, known as
a rupture.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Side effects depend on the treatments used. For instance, aspirin may cause
allergic reactions, stomach upset, or bleeding. Clot-busting
medications can cause excessive bleeding. A
ventilator may sometimes cause damage to the lungs or an infection.
A carotid artery endarterectomy can cause bleeding, infections, and allergic reactions to the anesthesia. On rare occasions,
carotid
endarterectomy can cause a stroke or heart attack to occur.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
Generally, a person recovers from a TIA with no further
problems. However, it is important to contact the healthcare provider for follow-up, since the TIA may be a warning sign of an upcoming stroke.
How is the condition monitored?
Monitoring is related to the cause of the transient ischemic attack. For
instance, those with clots in their heart need repeat blood tests, such as a
PT test,
to monitor the effects of medications used to thin the blood. Since a TIA is a
significant indicator that the person is at risk for stroke, any new or
worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
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