Stroke warning signs?

Question

I know that there is some 3 initial name for the signs of a stroke, or a mini stroke of some sort..something to do with iso-something. If any of you know what am I talking about could you let me know please...

Answer 1

TIA=Transient Ischemic Attack.

A transient ischaemic attack is a temporary paralysis, numbness, speech difficulty or other neurologic symptoms that start suddenly and recovers within 24 hours (typically resolve over several hours).

A transient ischemic attack (TIA, often colloquially referred to as "mini stroke") is caused by the temporary disturbance of blood supply to a restricted area of the brain, resulting in brief neurologic dysfunction that usually persists for less than 24 hours.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary widely from person to person depending on the area of the brain involved. The most frequent symptoms include temporary loss of vision (typically amaurosis fugax), difficulty speaking (dysphasia), weakness on one side of the body (hemiparesis), numbness usually on one side of the body, and loss of consciousness. If there are neurological symptoms persisting for more than 24 hours, it is classified as a cerebrovascular accident (stroke).

Prognosis

Patients diagnosed with a TIA are sometimes said to have had a warning for an approaching cerebrovascular accident. If the time period of blood supply impairment lasts more than a few minutes, the nerve cells of that area of the brain die and cause permanent neurologic deficit. One third of the people with TIA later have recurrent TIAs and one third have a stroke due to permanent nerve cell loss.

Causes

The most common cause of a TIA is an embolus (a small blood clot) that occludes an artery in the brain. This most frequently arises from an atherosclerotic plaque in one of the carotid arteries or from a thrombus in the heart due to atrial fibrillation.

Other reasons include excessive narrowing of large vessels due to an atherosclerotic plaque and increased blood viscosity due to some blood diseases. TIA is related with other medical conditions like hypertension, heart disease (especially atrial fibrillation), migraine, cigarette smoking, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes mellitus.

Treatment

The mainstay of treatment following acute recovery from a TIA should be to diagnose and treat the underlying cause. Most patients who are diagnosed at a hospital's Accident & Emergency Department as having suffered from a TIA will be discharged home and advised to contact their GP to organise further investigations.

An electrocardiogram (EKG) may show atrial fibrillation, a common cause of TIAs, or other arrhythmias that may cause embolisation to the brain. An echocardiogram is useful in detecting thrombus within the heart chambers. Such patients benefit from anticoagulation.

If the TIA affects an area supplied by the carotid artery, an ultrasound scan may demonstrate carotid stenosis. For people with a greater than 70% stenosis within the carotid artery, removal of atherosclerotic plaque by surgery, specifically a carotid endarterectomy, may be recommended.

The majority of patients are given aspirin at a low dose of 75-80 mg. Some patients may also be given modified release dipyridamole or clopidogrel.

First Aid

CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.

This is a life threatening emergency.

You can not tell the difference between a CVA (stroke) and a TIA in the field.

Ensure the patient's airway remains open.

A person having a stroke may suddenly lose consciousnees. Get the patient to sit down.

Watch for any changes in the patient's speech or level of consciousness. If the patient loses consciousness, monitor respirations and pulse and be ready to perform CPR. Look for muscle droop on one side of the patient's face, or weakness on one side of the patient's body. Note if the pupil in one eye is larger than the other. If possible, record the patient's pulse and respiratory rate every five minutes and provide this information to the EMS or the treating physician.

There is almost nothing that can be done in the field for a patient suffering a stroke or a TIA.

If you have oxygen, administer it at low concentration, high concentration if the patient has difficulty breathing.

DON'T GIVE ASPIRIN.

If it is a stroke, it might be caused by a blood clot (embolism) or a ruptured blood vessel (hemorrhage.) Aspirin is a blood thinner. If given to a person who is bleeding, it will make it worse.

Incidentally, there is not much an EMS crew can do for a patient who is suffering from a stroke. If the ambulance is delayed, the best thing you can do is put the patient in your car and go to the nearest hospital without any delay. Seconds count.

transient ischemic attack
Written by Tim Allen, MD on 02/27/00

alternate name: TIA

Overview

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is an injury to the brain caused by a temporary interruption in its blood supply. A TIA is like a stroke, except that it lasts only a brief time.

What is going on in the body?

During a transient ischemic attack, there is a lack of blood flow to a portion of the brain. This causes symptoms in the body depending on the part of the brain that is affected. A TIA can last up to 24 hours. However, typical TIAs often last less than 30 minutes. The person remains conscious during the episode.

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

Symptoms of TIA can vary, depending on which blood vessels in the brain are affected. A TIA may also occur without symptoms, or it may have symptoms such as:
• problems with movement, such as weakness, clumsiness, or paralysis. These are often on only one side of the body. In some cases, people may only have weakness or clumsiness in their hand. In other cases, one entire half of the body becomes paralyzed.
• headache
• numbness or a lack of feeling, which is also often on only one side of the body
• speech impairments, including slurred speech or difficulty finding the correct word
• difficulty doing math or writing
• visual impairments
• difficulty understanding speech or writing
• inability to recognize family members or common objects
• dizziness
• nausea or vomiting
• difficulty swallowing
• balance problems, known as ataxia

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

Transient ischemic attacks are caused by a temporary interruption of the blood flow to brain cells. Since a TIA is a short-term type of stroke, the risk factors for stroke apply to TIAs as well. The American Heart Association has recently issued guidelines for stroke prevention. The guidelines discuss risk factors for stroke in 3 categories: nonmodifiable, well-documented modifiable, and less well-documented or potentially modifiable. The nonmodifiable factors are ones that cannot be changed by the individual and include:
• increasing age. A person's risk of stroke doubles each year after age 55.
• race. Strokes occur approximately twice as often in blacks and Hispanics as they do in whites.
• gender. Men have a 50% higher chance of stroke than women do.
• family history of stroke or transient ischemic attack
Well-documented modifiable risk factors are those that can be changed by the individual in conjunction with his or her healthcare provider. These factors are linked to stroke by strong research findings, and there is documented proof that changing the risk factor lowers a person's risk of stroke. These factors include:
• high blood pressure
• smoking
• diabetes
• asymptomatic carotid stenosis, or narrowing of one of the arteries in the neck
• sickle cell anemia, a blood disorder that forms abnormal red blood cells
• high cholesterol levels in the blood, including total cholesterol and LDL or "bad cholesterol." Low levels of HDL or "good cholesterol" are also cause for concern.
• atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm
Less well-documented or potentially modifiable risk factors for stroke are those that have less proof of either a link to stroke or the impact of modifying the risk factor. These factors include:
• obesity
• sedentary lifestyle
• alcohol abuse
• high blood levels of homocysteine, a blood component sometimes associated with a higher risk of stroke
• drug abuse
• blood disorders, such as blood that clots easily or deficiencies of various blood components
• hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The AHA currently states that the risk of stroke associated with HRT appears low but needs further study.
• use of birth control pills, or oral contraceptives
• inflammatory processes, such as a chronic infection with chlamydia
Several recent studies have identified factors that seem to increase or decrease the risk of stroke in particular groups of people. These studies, which warrant further investigation, include these findings:
• People who were treated for high blood pressure with thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, had a significantly lower stroke risk than people on ACE inhibitors or calcium channel blockers.
• Women ages 39 to 50 who ate more fish and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids had a reduced risk of stroke. This was particularly true in women who did not take aspirin regularly.
• Women ages 15 to 44 who had 2 drinks of wine a day had a 40% to 60% lower risk of stroke than women who did not drink alcohol.
• Phenylpropanolamine, a compound contained in appetite suppressants and cold remedies, significantly increased the risk of hemorrhagic stroke in women 18 to 49 years of age. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has since asked manufacturers to remove phenylpropanolamine from their products.

What can be done to prevent the condition?

Transient ischemic attacks can be minimized by addressing known risk factors for stroke. The American Heart Association guidelines for stroke prevention address both modifiable and less well-documented or potentially modifiable risk factors. Measures to reduce the modifiable risk of high blood pressure include:
• measurement of blood pressure in adults at least every 2 years to screen for high blood pressure
• weight control
• physical activity
• moderation in alcohol intake
• moderate sodium intake
• for those who smoke, quitting smoking
• medications to treat high blood pressure if the person's blood pressure is over 140/90 after 3 months of these lifestyle modifications, or if the initial blood pressure is over 180/100
Other measures to reduce an individual's modifiable risk factors for stroke may include:
• smoking cessation using nicotine patches, counseling, and formal smoking programs
• control of blood sugar levels in a person with diabetes through medication, diet, and exercise
• the use of ramipril in people with diabetes. A recent study showed that people with diabetes have a 33% lower risk of stroke if they take ramipril.
• careful evaluation of asymptomatic carotid stenosis to determine the need for surgery. Coronary artery surgery, such as an endarterectomy, may be indicated. An endarterectomy opens the narrow portion of the artery and increases the blood flow to the brain. People with carotid stenosis should also work closely with their healthcare providers to control other risk factors for stroke.
• semiannual screening of children with sickle cell anemia, using ultrasound to determine the child's risk of stroke
• treatment of atrial fibrillation with blood thinners such as aspirin or warfarin, depending on the person's age and other risk factors
• monitoring of high levels of total cholesterol or LDL, as well as low levels of HDL. Depending on the blood levels and the person's other risk factors, medications to lower cholesterol may be given.
Measures to reduce less well-documented or potentially modifiable risks for stroke may include:
• weight reduction in overweight persons
• 30 or more minutes of moderate exercise a day for most individuals. People with heart disease or disabilities should be in a medically supervised exercise program.
• a healthy diet for preventing heart disease, containing at least 5 fruits and vegetables a day
• for those who drink alcohol, drinking in moderation. The AHA defines moderate drinking as no more than 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women.
• seeking treatment for drug abuse
• monitoring of blood levels of homocysteine. For most individuals, a well-balanced diet following the food guide pyramid will provide enough folic acid and B vitamins to maintain a healthy homocysteine level. For people with elevated homocysteine levels, supplements containing folic acid and B vitamins may be recommended.
• avoiding the use of oral contraceptives in women with other stroke risk factors

How is the condition diagnosed?

The first step in diagnosis of transient ischemic attack is a medical history and physical exam. This may be all that is needed to make the diagnosis. In other cases, further tests may be needed. Cranial MRIs and cranial CT scans may be ordered to distinguish a TIA from a stroke. They can also show whether or not there is bleeding in the brain, which can help with some treatment decisions. Other tests may be ordered to help determine the cause of the TIA. For instance, a special X-ray test of the neck arteries can detect blockage. Certain X-ray tests of the heart can show heart failure or changes from a heart attack. A heart tracing, or ECG, can show abnormal heartbeats, such as atrial fibrillation, or certain changes from a heart attack.

Answer 2

"MAIN question is as far as stroke warning signs can they really last weeks and weeks and months and months or is that something that is more Sudden?" By definition, stroke is a sudden attack, no warning, no symptoms. Age 22 still unlikely to have stroke, although the plaque that cause stroke is built and progressing since we are teenager. At this time, I would consider you to worry more of heart condition than stroke. And the best way to see a heart blockage is with cardiac catheterizing and second best way with CT-scan. Unlike stroke that has no warning symptoms, heart attack do sometimes shows symptoms such pressure pain in the left chest with/without radiating pain to neck, shoulder, and left arm. "And what do you recommend because that last ER visit was $1000 i cannot afford that again if its nothing again...?" Reduce your weight to normal, that is the best medicine for you. Avoid fatty meals, exercise REGULARLY, avoid smoking and alcohol consumption, eat mostly vegetables and fruits.

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

1

Answer 5

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

For stroke information, call the American Stroke Association at 1-888-4-STROKE ( if you are in the US)

If any of theese occur...dial 911 immediately. ( if you are in the US)

Answer 6

TIA is also known as a mini stroke
A CVA is the medical term for a stroke

Answer 7

i know this is an overkill and more than you needed but since a stroke is serious i figured i'd give as much info as possible. more is in the link too.

The symptoms of stroke depend on the type of stroke and the area of the brain affected. Ischemic strokes usually only affect regional areas of the brain perfused by the blocked artery. Hemorrhagic strokes can affect local areas, but often can also cause more global symptoms due to bleeding and increased intracranial pressure.

If the area of the brain affected contains one of the three prominent Central nervous system pathways -- the spinothalamic tract, corticospinal tract, and dorsal column (medial lemniscus), symptoms may include:

muscle weakness or numbness (hemiplegia)
reduction of pain or temperature sensation
reduction in sensory or vibratory sensation
In most cases, the symptoms affects one side of the body, from the neck downwards, excluding the face. The defect in the brain is usually on the opposite side of the body (depending on which part of the brain is affected). However, the presence of any one of these symptoms does not necessarily suggest a stroke, since these pathways also travel in the spinal cord and any lesion there can also produce these symptoms.

In addition to the above CNS pathways, the brainstem also consists of the 12 cranial nerves. A stroke affecting the brainstem therefore can produce symptoms relating to deficits in these cranial nerves:

altered smell, taste, hearing, or vision (total or partial)
drooping of eyelid (ptosis) and weakness of ocular muscles
decreased reflexes: gag, swallow, pupil reactivity to light
decreased sensation and muscle weakness of the face
balance problems and nystagmus
altered breathing and heart rate
weakness in sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) with inability to turn head to one side
weakness in tongue (inability to protrude and/or move from side to side)
If the cerebral cortex is involved, the CNS pathways can again be affected, but also can produce the following symptoms:

aphasia (inability to speak or understand language from involvement of Broca's or Wernicke's area)
apraxia (altered voluntary movements)
disorganized thinking, confusion, hypersexual gestures (with involvement of frontal lobe)
altered vision (involvement of occipital lobe)
memory deficits (involvement of temporal lobe)
hemineglect (involvement of parietal lobe)
If the cerebellum is involved, the patient may have the following:

trouble walking
altered movement coordination
dizziness
Loss of consciousness, headache, and vomiting usually occurs more often in hemorrhagic stroke than in thrombosis because of the increased intracranial pressure from the leaking blood compressing on the brain.

If symptoms are maximal at onset, the cause is more likely to be a subarachnoid hemorrhage or an embolic stroke

Answer 8

Inability to smile.
Inability to raise both arms over the head.
Inability to speak a complete sentence.

Any of these is a real good indication that there's an urgent problem -- unless, of course, the person could never do them!

Answer 9

I know some signs are facial drooping, slurred speech, (or talking but making no sense), becoming uncoordinated, dizziness.

Answer 10

The left jaw starts to droop, blood pressure goes up, and the person becomes delirious. If you take the blood pressure you will be able to catch it, also the whole entire left side tenses up, the tongue becomes numb,.