By Gregory Giamo, DO

Dr. Gregory Giamo.

When people think about a stroke, symptoms such as paralysis of limbs or an entire side of the body, and loss of motor coordination come to mind. But a stroke doesn’t always happen this way. In fact, when a person experiences milder symptoms, it’s easier to explain them away because they don’t necessarily point to a health emergency. But dismissing symptoms due to uncertainty can be dangerous.

Strokes are the third-leading cause of death, behind heart disease and cancer, and a leading cause of disability in the United States, according to the American Stroke Association. A stroke is an interruption of blood to the brain, either from a blood clot or the rupturing of a blood vessel, which results in a certain area of the brain not receiving the critical oxygen and nutrients it needs to function properly.

One type of stroke is a transient ischemic attack (TIA), a stroke-like event that can be just as serious. Often called a “mini-stroke,” a TIA has similar signs, with symptoms that don’t last as long. A TIA occurs when a blood clot briefly blocks an artery that supplies blood to the brain. TIA symptoms may include:

• Severe, sudden headache
• Weakness, numbness or paralysis of the face, arms or legs on one side of the body
• Difficulty walking, and/or loss of balance or coordination
• Dizziness
• Vision problems, such as blurred or double vision
• Confusion or trouble speaking clearly or understanding communication

Individuals at increased risk for TIA or stroke include those with heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and smokers.

A TIA should be considered a warning sign. It has the same symptoms as a stroke, but TIA symptoms are temporary and produce no lasting damage to the brain. However, it’s important not to take a TIA lightly; it’s a strong predictor of a possible full-scale stroke which could be just a matter of days, weeks or months away. According to the American Stroke Association, more than one third of individuals who suffer a TIA will later have a stroke.

A recent industry study found that the associated risks and long-term effects of a mini-stroke differ according to gender. The February 2009 study, a collaboration among University of Alabama at Birmingham, Yale University and the Duke University Stroke Center, found that men are more likely to have a stroke or heart-related problems after a TIA event.

What makes a TIA even more dangerous is that an astonishing number of people do not realize they are experiencing a mini-stroke and do not seek immediate medical care. A 2006 study by the American Heart Association found that less than half of people who suffer symptoms of a mini-stroke seek medical attention promptly, and only 10 percent go to the emergency room. Notably, 20 percent of patients incorrectly identified their symptoms as stress, fatigue, eye problems, or a migraine.

If you experience any of the TIA symptoms – even briefly – it’s important to seek immediate medical attention. If you’re not sure, call your doctor or go to the emergency room. Time is critical in treating a possible stroke – and preventing a possible future stroke.

Your doctor can administer several tests to diagnose TIA and determine your future risk of stroke. This includes a review of your medical history, a physical and neurological exam, blood tests and various diagnostic tests. Diagnostic tests may include imaging tests (such as a CT scan or MRI, which take a picture of the brain), electrical tests which examine brain waves or study how the brain handles various sensory information: hearing, touch or vision; and finally, blood tests (an ultrasound or arteriogram, which give an idea of blood flow and the condition of your arteries).

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Gregory S. Giamo, DO, a member of the medical Staff at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center (PMMC) Department of Family Medicine. Dr. Giamo is a graduate of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.  He completed both his internship and residency at Charleston Area Medical Center.  Dr. Giamo is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. He is in practice with Brookside Family Practice and Pediatrics, 1555 Medical Drive, Pottstown PA.

PMMC supplied this article and is responsible for its content. Its publication is part of The Post’s Sunday Contributor series, for which guest authors are invited to offer submissions.

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