What causes transitory ischemic attack (TIA)? Posted: 02-21-07 12:14pm
My symptoms are an immediate feeling of
being drained (like a body shutdown),
followed by slight slurring of speech,
feeling of heaviness in all limbs and then
mainly down the left side. My foot feels
as though it is made of lead although I
can move it.
These happen with no warning and last for
exactly the same amount of time (ie about
4mins) and have exactly the same symptoms
each time. I have no blurred vision and
still have strength in all limbs but dont
feel as if I have. I can speak (however
slowly) and can type (tried that today)I
have had an ECG fine, a Carotid ultrasound
which although showed a small blockage,
blood was flowing easily through it. The
doctors thought they were TIA's but now
after so many with no effect on me
afterwards are not sure. All the incidents
of this seem to coincide with a lack of
food. (more than 12 hours) hence their
current diagnosis.
My blood pressue has been slightly high
(mostly sits at 150/80) hence ace
inhibitor. What do you think it could
be?
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DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer
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Stroke Answer A2434 Posted: 03-15-07 04:20am
According to the symptoms you report
(“immediately feeling drained”,
“slight slurring of speech”,
“feeling of heaviness in all limbs”)
and given that they that last for about 4
minutes... you could be experiencing
transitory ischemic attack (TIA). TIA is
due to a temporary stop in blood flow to a
brain artery. This stop in blood flow is
also called "ischemia". Ischemia is
caused by blood clots, or thromboembolus,
that enter the brain's circulation from
another part of the body such as the
carotid arteries or heart chambers.
Symptoms of ischemia depend upon the
location of the obstructed artery.
Ischemia is transitory and symptoms
disappear because the blood clot dissolves
quickly. That’s why there are no
permanent brain damages. TIA is diagnosed
according to the temporary neurological
symptoms and lack of brain damage (infarct
or hemorrhage).
Hypoglycemia is a less likely reason for
the symptoms because the consciousness in
your case was not affected and you
remember can describe the attacks.
Syncope (hypotension) is also less
possible as a cause for the symptoms
because the consciousness wasn’t
affected.
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