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02115.txt
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1994-01-17
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$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
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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.