The first signs of the presence of a disorder in the brain is a mild stroke. The main cause of this debilitating event is restricted blood flow to the brain. Read on for more information on health issue, along with its symptoms, causes and treatment…
The human body is a complex system comprising various organs that are connected to each other with zillions of tissues, richly supplied with blood. The brain, which is the master organ in the body, controls all the functions of the organs. The brain needs a healthy supply of blood in order to function properly.
Sometimes, due to sickness or certain medications, the blood flow is restricted or partially stopped, due to which an individual suffers from stroke. Mild stroke is a serious medical condition, which occurs when the blood flow to the brain is partially or completely obstructed for a short period of time. It can be also a symptom of a serious underlying medical condition, related to the brain.
Ischemic stroke which is also referred to as transient ischemic attack (TIA) is one of the most common forms of a stroke that is mild in nature. Further there are two subtypes of ischemic stroke, namely thrombotic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke.
Thrombotic stroke occurs due to the presence of a blood clot in one of the arteries of the neck or brain. These clots are formed due to atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries caused due to accumulation of cholesterol plaque. Another form of iscemic stroke is the hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and leaks inside the brain. This stroke may be caused due to uncontrolled hypertension or aneurysm.
Mild Stroke Symptoms
There are a lot of people who suffer from mini stroke. When an individual is said to be a victim of stroke, the blood supply to his brain is interrupted, which can be seen in the signs exhibited by the body. Given below are a few symptoms, observing which the severity of the condition can be assessed.
- The first symptom of a brain stroke is a feeling of dizziness. The person may also black-out completely.
- The individual may also have difficulty in speaking, with the inability to express thoughts clearly and slurring.
- Sudden weakness and numbness, specially in one side of the body, which may last for a few minutes.
- Sometimes, the individual may also suffer from temporary loss of vision or double vision. This condition occurs because there is a lack of proper blood supply to the part of the brain that governs the functions of the eyes.
Mild Stroke Causes
There are many factors which may cause a stroke. The main cause of a minor stroke is high levels of cholesterol in the blood which results in clogging of the arteries and hindering free flow of blood. Insufficient supply of blood to the brain is another major cause of a stroke. Habitual smokers and drinkers are at a high risk of suffering from stroke. Other risk factors for mini strokes include obesity, heart disease, diabetes drug abuse, etc.
Mild Stroke Treatment and Recovery
For minor stroke treatment, the causative factor must be diagnosed. For the diagnosis, the health care provider may conduct a battery of tests which include computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests are carried out in order to assess the type of stroke and also the exact condition of the patient. If it is an ischemic stroke, then anticoagulants or tissue plasminogen activator may be administered for thinning the clots.
In some cases, the patient may have to undergo carotid endarterectomy surgery which removes the fatty acids that are responsible for the formation of blood clots. If there is a hemorrhage, then other treatment options adopted by the doctor in order to stem bleeding in the brain. For this medications may be administered, or a metal coil or clip (endovascular coil embolization) is used to block the ruptured vein. During the entire duration of treatment, the vital parameters of the patient will be closely monitored.
The recovery time depends on several factors like age and health condition of the patient, his response to the treatment administered etc. Recovery from a stroke depends on the part of the brain that was affected and the duration of the restriction of blood flow. For a complete recovery, the patient may have to undergo physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical rehabilitation, psychological counseling and speech therapy. In order to prevent stroke, controlling high blood pressure, regular exercise, diet control, reducing the intake of alcohol and smoking is essential.
Though mild stroke does not cause damage to any part of the body, the patient must undergo prompt treatment to prevent the occurrence of a major stroke, resulting in permanent damage, and in some cases death. In order to prevent strokes, get yourself regularly checked by a physician. Take care!
