HOW STROKE AFFECTS PEOPLE - Each Stroke is Different Depending on Which Part of the Brain is Injured. - Health - http://maxpages.com/resurrection/Ministroke

1. Paralysis of one side of the body, or just the arm, or the leg, includes weakness, which can be very subtle or painfully obvious.
2. Problems with balance or coordination, making it hard for a person to walk, talk, sit, stand or walk.

Problems Understanding Reality

1. A person may have Aphasia and Dysarthria, trouble understanding speech or writing. Or, the person may understand but may not be able to think of the words to speak or write.
2. Neglct or inattention may be occuring wherein the victim will not turn to look toward the weaker, affected side or even eat food from that side of the plate.
3. Problems with memory, thinking, attention, or learning, (cognitive problems).
4. Being unaware of the effects of stroke. The person may show poor judgement by trying to do things that are unsafe.
5. Sudden bursts of emotion such as laughing, crying, or anger. This clearly indicates the poor soul needs help understanding.
6. Depression. Common in people who have had strkes. It can begin soon after the stroke or even weeks later, and family members notice it first. It is vital to attack this as soon as it becomes apparent because if left unchallenged it is truly the barricade to recovery.

The physical problems.

1. Pain, numbness, or odd sensations.These make it difficult for the victim to relax and feel comfortable.
2. Trouble swallowing. Care must be taken to prevent the person from breathing in food, (i still have problems with this one),
3. Problems with bowel or bladder control. This can be helped with the use of portable urinals, bedpans.

Energy

1. Getting tired very quickly. Becoming tired may limit the persons participation and performance in a rehabilitation program.
2. It is extremely frustrating for a person who used to be high energy come to terms with running out of steam before much of anything has been accomplishing that day.
An expected response after a stroke is depression, and it should be treated quickly if longer than 2 weeks. The symptoms include,
1. Loss of interest in things the person used to enjoy.
2. Feeling slowed down and restless.
3. Feeling worthless or guilty.
4. Increase or decrease in appetite or weight.
5.Problems in concentration, thinking, remembering or making decisions.
6. Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much.
7. Feeling tired all the time.
8.Headaches, digestive problems.
9. Sexual problems.
10. Feeling hopeless, pessimistic.
11. Thoughts of death or suicide, (very common and not
always noticed by family). Professional help should bE pursued immediatly.

transient ischemic attack

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Alternative names
TIA, reversible ischemic neurologic disease (RIND), ministroke

Definition
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is an injury to the brain caused by a decrease in blood supply to an area of the brain. They are sometimes called "mini-strokes." TIAs often occur before strokes and should be taken seriously.

What is going on in the body?
During a TIA, there is a lack of blood flow to 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. Some of the symptoms include:

weakness on the opposite side of the body from the side of the brain that is affected

problems with vision, language, speech, and thinking

lack of muscle coordination or making a certain movement over and over

lack of bladder control

dizziness

nausea and vomiting

What are the causes and risks of the condition?
A TIA may be caused by low blood flow in one particular blood vessel. In addition, TIAs may be caused by small blood clots that get stuck in the branches of many vessels. It may also be caused by a spasm of a blood vessel, causing a short-term lack of blood flow to a particular area of the brain. Venous stasis, or pooling of blood in the legs, can cause blood clots. These clots can travel to the brain and cause a lack of blood flow and a TIA. Other causes of TIAs include:

high blood pressure
hardening of the arteries
heart disease
diabetes
certain blood conditions
a family history of TIAs or strokes

One important risk is that a TIA will progress to a complete stroke. In this case, the brain deficits last longer than 24 hours. These deficits may be permanent.
What can be done to prevent the condition?
A person can lower his or her chances of having a TIA by:

stopping smoking
lowering blood pressure or controlling high blood pressure
lowering cholesterol levels
eating a well-balanced diet
maintaining a healthy weight
exercising
taking medications to treat an irregular heartbeat
controlling diabetes
How is the condition diagnosed?
TIAs are diagnosed by symptoms and an examination. Angiography, which are special x-ray studies of the blood vessels in the brain, neck, and heart, can help to identify possible areas of blood clots or spasms. Other special tests can also be done.

What are the long-term effects?
There are usually no long-term effects of TIAs.

What are the risks to others?
TIAs are not contagious and pose no risks to others. However, a sudden episode of weakness or problems in vision may affect a person's driving ability. This could lead to an accident.

What are the treatments?
TIAs are usually treated with medications. Low doses of blood-thinners may be used to keep clots from forming in the blood vessels that supply the brain.

Sometimes a TIA is caused by a blockage or tightening of one of the arteries in the neck that supplies blood to the brain. In this case, surgery is used to remove the obstruction and open up the artery so that blood can flow to the brain.

Elastic hosiery may help prevent blood from pooling in the legs.

Bed rest is usually recommended during and immediately after a TIA to prevent major changes in blood pressure. Depending on the cause of the TIA, long-term therapy with blood-thinners, such as warfarin, aspirin or plavix, can be useful.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Side effects of medications can include excessive bleeding, liver problems, and sometimes stomach upset.

What happens after treatment?
Generally, a person recovers from a TIA with no further problems.

How is the condition monitored?
TIAs are monitored by follow-up visits with a healthcare provider. If medications have been prescribed, blood tests are usually done. These tests can tell if the blood is too "thin" or too "thick" and if the dosage needs to be adjusted.

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Page Updated Sun Mar 9, 2003 11:34am EST