{"id":2405,"date":"2018-08-14T11:22:17","date_gmt":"2018-08-14T11:22:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=2405"},"modified":"2021-03-19T15:50:55","modified_gmt":"2021-03-19T15:50:55","slug":"8-critical-mini-stroke-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/8-critical-mini-stroke-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Critical Mini Stroke Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Mini strokes, also known as transient ischemic attacks (TIA), happen when a temporary decline in the supply of blood to the brain, spinal cord, or retina occurs. When the blood supply to these crucial parts of the body is interrupted, the brain cells are not damaged and permanent disability does not occur; however, they are a sign that the person who is afflicted by them is more at risk of suffering a full-on stroke.<\/p>\n

Research has found that an estimated 1 in 3 people who suffer from mini strokes go on to experience a full stroke, a condition that causes a severe disruption in blood flow to the brain, can damage brain cells, and can be life-altering or life-threatening. The risk of a full stroke is usually the highest within 48 hours after suffering a mini stroke.<\/p>\n

The symptoms of a mini stroke are very similar to a full stroke; therefore, it is important to seek medical care if any of these symptoms arise.<\/p>\n

1. Paralysis of the face<\/h3>\n

A mini stroke can cause facial paralysis<\/a>. This occurs when the muscles within the face become paralyzed, and as a result, the side of the face that is affected can become distorted in appearance. The eyes or mouth may droop or it may be difficult to smile, for example. Typically, only one side of the face is affected. Facial paralysis occurs when the nerves in the brain that control the muscles of the face are damaged.<\/p>\n

The damage may be caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain, which occurs when blood flow is disrupted. It can also be the result of excess pressure in the brain pressing on the nerves that control the muscles of the face. If you find that you or someone you have has developed a distorted look in the face (the eyelid or the mouth is drooping), there is a chance that a mini stroke could be to blame. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

2. Numbness or weakness in the limbs<\/h3>\n

Many people who suffer from a mini stroke can experience numbness<\/a> or weakness in the limbs. One of the limbs, such as an arm, may be affected, or both limbs (the arm and leg) on one side of the body can be affected. A mini stroke temporarily cuts off the blood supply to the brain. Since the brain sends signals to the muscles via the nerves, and those signals tell the limbs to move, it is not unusual for a mini stroke to cause muscle numbness or weakness.<\/p>\n

A patient who suffers a mini stroke may find that something that would usually not be difficult to pick up is extremely difficult or impossible. Or, they may find that their balance is off. The numbness and weakness that can develop in the limbs can completely impact the way that your body moves. Typically, after a mini stroke, the change in movement are minor; however, if a patient suffers several mini strokes or goes on to have a full stroke, paralysis can result. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

3. Slurred speech<\/h3>\n

One of the most telltale signs of a mini stroke is slurred speech. Often, speech can become slurred or sound clumsy after suffering a mini stroke<\/a>; the patient may sound as if they have imbibed too much alcohol or is very sleepy, for example. Of course, this side effect can make communication very difficult; however, normal speech is usually restored within a short time period after suffering a mini stroke.<\/p>\n

The reason why a mini stroke affects speech has to do with the impact of a disruption in blood flow on the brain. If the part of the brain that controls speech is impacted, speech will obviously be affected. If you find that you or someone you love is speaking strangely, is having a difficult time speaking, or is hard to understand, and that this change in speech comes on suddenly, there is a good chance that a mini stroke occurred. Seek immediate medical care to determine if a mini stroke is in fact the cause.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

4. Dizziness and loss of balance<\/h3>\n

Many patients who suffer mini strokes report that they feel as if they are dizzy after the episode occurred. The reason? \u2013 A mini stroke can affect the vestibular system<\/a>, the part of the body that is responsible for controlling balance. Again, the effect on the vestibular system is the result of the decrease in blood flow to the brain that occurs with a mini stroke.<\/p>\n

Depending on the part of the brain that was affected, the dizziness may be mild, or it may be severe. Some patients report that they feel as if they are extremely off-kilter and that it is difficult to walk. In severe cases, the patient may fall to the ground while walking. If dizziness or loss of balance comes on suddenly, especially if it is associated with any other symptom mentioned on this list, there is a good chance that a mini stroke has occurred. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

5. Vision changes<\/h3>\n

Another side effect of a mini stroke is changes in vision. Vision may become double or blurred, for example, and one or both eyes may be affected. While a mini stroke does not cause permanent damage to the brain cells, it can certainly disrupt them. If the mini stroke disrupts the part of the brain that affects the visual pathways to the eye, the visual field can be altered.<\/p>\n

As mentioned, when this happens, vision can become blurry, or the patient may find that they experiencing double vision (it literally looks as if they are seeing two of something). A patient can also have a hard time processing the visual information that they are receiving, which can make it hard to make sense of what they are seeing. Vision problems can further compound other symptoms<\/a> of a mini stroke, such as dizziness and issues with maintaining balance. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

6. A headache<\/h3>\n

A headache<\/a> can also develop after suffering a mini stroke. The headache that is associated with a mini stroke will usually come on suddenly and the pain can be intense; it may feel like the worst headache you have ever had. In fact, many people who have suffered a mini stroke and develop a headache have reported that the pain felt as if it was a migraine.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, because the pain does mimic that of a migraine, a lot of patients write this symptom off as just that; a migraine. Or, they may dismiss it as something else, such as tension, sinus issues, or any other number of conditions that can cause a headache. Why can a mini stroke cause a headache? It has to do with the pressure that is put on the brain when a mini stroke occurs. Naturally, when there is an increased amount of pressure on the brain, a headache can result. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

7. Changes in personality<\/h3>\n

If you find that you are feeling very irritable<\/a> or that someone you love is very quick to anger, and that this change in personality comes on suddenly, there is a chance that a mini stroke could be to blame. The brain is responsible for mood. Since a mini stroke disrupts blood flow to the brain and can put pressure on this vital organ, it is not unusual for changes in mood to occur.<\/p>\n

Namely, the change in mood is marked by irritability. The patient may be very quick to anger, may seem irrational, and may be difficult to soothe. Typically, changes in personality will come on very suddenly, and they may last for a short while; for example, the individual may seem extremely angry out of nowhere, and then suddenly start acting like his or herself again. Furthermore, the patient may not even be aware that there were any changes to his or her personality. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

8. Hiccups<\/h3>\n

Lastly, a strange symptom of a mini stroke (and one that is often dismissed) is the development of the hiccups<\/a>. Usually, hiccups occur as a result of air that is trapped inside the diaphragm. When this happens, the diaphragm ends up being sent into spasms, which results in hiccups. Why can a mini stroke cause hiccups? \u2013 Because the disruption in blood flow to the brain can impact the part of the brain that is responsible for controlling breathing. When that happens, the diaphragm can start to spasm, which can lead to the development of hiccups.<\/p>\n

Many patients who have suffered a mini stroke and have developed the hiccups as a result of the episode find that their hiccups are difficult to control and that traditional methods for soothing them (drinking water or holding the breath, for example) do not work. However, shortly after the episode, the hiccups do subside. If you or someone you love develops the hiccups and is experiencing any of the other symptoms on this list, seek medical care as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"This<\/span><\/h3>\n

9.\u00a0 Abnormal Sense of Taste<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One of the strange secondary symptoms associated with a mini-stroke is a change to your sense of taste. Stroke alters the neurochemical composition of the brain, making significant changes to your senses. We\u2019ve already discussed the shift in your vision, but a mini-stroke can adjust how things taste as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some people who experience a mini-stroke state that they find flavors that they used to enjoy, repulsive. Others report that they lose their sense of taste completely, and some say that they experience a metallic taste in their mouth that won\u2019t go away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most people only experience a temporary onset of impaired taste, that last for a few hours or days. Changes in the central nervous system are the key culprit for taste impairment, and often considered a severe warning sign of imminent stroke or mini-stroke. The nervous system<\/a>, experiences interruptions in signals from the tongue and taste buds, disrupting the brain’s interpretation of flavors in food and beverages.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"10. Abnormal Sense of Smell<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Taste is not the only sense disrupted by the onset of a mini-stroke. The development of the condition also affects your sense of smell as well. People who experience a mini-stroke, report that they notice changes in how they perceive scents, in the days and hours leading up to the event.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most people report noticing a smell of burnt toast, while others say that they experience an aversion to smells that they usually enjoy. Other patients<\/a> note that they lose this sense entirely, and can\u2019t smell anything, even if it\u2019s put right under their nose. <\/span><\/p>\n

During the days and hours leading up to the onset of a mini-stroke, patients experience a disruption in their nervous system causing these symptoms to occur. After the mini-stroke occurs, these changes in smell, taste, and vision may become permanent, depending on the intensity of the mini-stroke. However, for the most part, individuals will recover the normal function of their senses.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"11.\u00a0 Dysphasia<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Dysphasia<\/a> is another symptom of a mini-stroke that affects the patient\u2019s ability to interpret spoken words or written language. Affected individuals may notice they develop and impairment in how their brain understands language, and they may confuse the meaning of words, as well as losing the ability to make gestures with their face or hands. <\/span><\/p>\n

Patients with dysphasia also find that they have a difficult time reading text, and may confuse words and sentences, making them unable to read the labels on medications or understand what people are saying on the TV. Affected individuals and their family members or partners may often confuse the symptoms of dysphasia with dysarthria, a speech disorder, or dysphagia, a condition that affects swallowing. <\/span><\/p>\n

Patients may notice symptoms increase in the days and hours leading up to the onset of a mini-stroke. The condition is a sign of damage to the areas of the brain that control speech and comprehension. Dysphasia can be a permanent or temporary condition depending on the intensity of the mini-stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

12.\u00a0 Decreased Consciousness<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Consciousness<\/a> describes a state of awareness and alertness to the environment around you. People who are suffering from the onset of a stroke may notice that they begin to lose touch with what\u2019s going on around them. They withdraw from communication and interpretation of external stimulus as their brain starts to struggle with managing the stimulus.<\/span><\/p>\n

People who are about to experience a mini-stroke also notice that they start to lose their sense of spatial awareness. The brain requires a specific amount of oxygen to operate efficiently. When it doesn\u2019t receive the oxygenated blood it needs to function, it shuts down non-essential areas of the brain to preserve function for vital processes, such as circulation and breathing.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a result, the affected individual may want to sleep all the time, and when they are awake, they take on a zombie-like appearance. As a result, their response to verbal and visual cues significantly diminish, leaving them a shell of their former self. In cases of severe mini-stroke, these changes to cognitive behavior may become permanent.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"13. Passing Out<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

People who are beginning to show signs of the development of mini-stroke, often experience bouts of fainting<\/a>. This symptom occurs due to a lack of oxygenated blood entering the brain. The brain requires oxygen to function optimally, and when its deprived of oxygen, it may result in fainting spells or blackouts. <\/span><\/p>\n

Some patients state that they feel tired and need to sit down. As they change level and relax, they may pass out suddenly. These fainting spells typically last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes depending on the severity of oxygen starvation that the brain experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, people about to experience a mini-stroke can [pass out on their feet as well, making it a dangerous situation where they can knock their head against surfaces, or crack their skull on the floor due to a hard impact. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you notice that you are suddenly developing symptoms of \u201cwhite out,\u201d where you feel slightly nauseous before blacking out, then speak to your doctor immediately, as it could be a warning sign of an impending mini-stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"14.\u00a0 Temporary Blindness in one eye<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Along with the other vision issues mentioned earlier, temporary blindness affecting one eye is one of the more common signs of an impending mini-stroke. Medical science labels this condition as \u201camaurosis fugax,\u201d or \u201ctransient monocular blindness, (TMB).\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

People who experience this condition may notice that the eye on the affected side of the brain<\/a> starts to lose its ability to see clearly. They may notice spots in the corner of their eye that gradually cover their entire field of vision on one side of the head. Many people confuse this condition with low blood glucose levels and don\u2019t seek the treatment they need in time to prevent the mini-stroke from occurring.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other examples of temporary blindness include when the patient’s vision in one eye becomes obscured or dimmed. They may also lose their ability to interpret color, leaving them seeing a black and white world. These effects may last anywhere between a few seconds to a few minutes depending on the severity of the impending mini-stroke.<\/span>\r\n

<\/div>