$Unique_ID{BRK02115} $Pretitle{} $Title{Strokes, Analysis and Symptoms} $Subject{stroke Strokes cerebrovascular accident accidents CVA CVA's brain artery blockage blocked clot bleeding rupture transient ischemic attack TIA speech slurring double vision weakness feeling loss arms legs coordination walking oxygen blood circulation clots confusion dizziness memory loss fainting electrocardiogram electrocardiograms CT Scan computed tomography MRI magnetic resonance imaging coagulation coagulate warfarin carotid arteries} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc. Strokes, Analysis and Symptoms ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ QUESTION: My neighbor claims to have had a stroke, that, as she puts it, "went away" after just a day or two. When my mother had a stroke, many years ago, she was paralyzed on her entire left side, and died from the complication less than a year later. I am sure that my neighbor's doctor told her about the stroke condition, but I can't make sense out of it. Can you? Because of my own family history, I am more than a little interested in finding out all I can about this subject. Thank you for all your help. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANSWER: The possibility that a stroke will occur increases as we all grow older, and is a subject of interest to many people. It is not rare, as one study found that symptoms of stroke affected about 170 people in every 100,000 aged 55 to 64 years, a number which grew to 957 out of 100,000 for people over the age of 75. Strokes (or cerebrovascular accidents--CVA's) kill about 100 people for every 100,000 in their mid 50's, and that rate doubles with each additional 5 years of aging, reaching a level of 1500 deaths per 100,000 individuals at age 80. The older you are when a CVA strikes, the more likely it is that it will be severe, disabling and permanent. A CVA is the result of either a blockage of an artery in the brain (by a clot, for example) or because of bleeding in the brain caused by a leak or rupture in one of the brain's arteries. In a large number of cases where the stoke is caused by blockage (approximately 1/4 to 1/3), a warning occurs. This is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA) and results from a temporary narrowing of the artery, rather than a complete permanent blockage. This gives doctors an opportunity to provide treatment that may prevent the total stroke, which occurs within a month of the TIA about 1/3 of the time, and in 1/2 the cases within a year. And I believe your neighbor suffered from a TIA, a small stroke that "goes away", but often not for long. The signs of a TIA are usually quite clear. The may be a temporary slurring of the speech, double vision, weakness on one side of the body, or loss of feeling in the arms or legs, usually on just one side as well. The patient may be unable to speak, lose coordination that affects walking or other movements. The symptoms result from a lack of oxygen to the cells of the brain due to a lack of blood circulation. In most cases the symptoms disappear within an hour as the artery opens up again, restoring circulation to the area, and the cells are not permanently damaged. While temporary confusion, dizziness, memory loss and fainting can be caused by other medical problems, a diagnosis of TIA is also possible and should be investigated. Thus a careful and complete examination is a must when these symptoms occur. The diagnosis can be made based upon history, physical examination, the result of electrocardiograms as well as special imaging techniques such as a CT Scan (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Since the treatment of a TIA depends upon the determination of the cause of the TIA, this diligence is really necessary. Several kinds of treatment may be used. Aspirin is used to help prevent the formation of clots, and is used in dosages ranging from 325 mg/day (1 regular strength aspirin tablet) to as low as 80 mg or even 30 mg/day (a baby aspirin). Some studies have used aspirin along with other medicines that affect coagulation. Reducing the blood's ability to coagulate with warfarin is another technique used frequently. When the carotid arteries are affected, surgery may also be considered. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.