Mild Stroke Symptoms and Their Treatment

Mild Stroke Symptoms and Treatment: Early Detection & Prevention

A mild stroke, popularly known as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), is a warning sign that a major stroke might happen later on. The main symptoms of a mild stroke are numbness, sudden weakness, difficulty speaking, and blurry vision, but these signs usually disappear within a few minutes or hours.

Even though these symptoms disappear, a medical emergency might occur. Availing a medical treatment quickly can prevent a serious stroke from happening and also safeguard the brain from damage.

What is a Mild Stroke?

A mild stroke, also commonly known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), occurs when the flow of blood to the brain stops for a short duration. This blocked artery causes a slight depression for a few minutes and does not cause permanent injury to the brain. Those affected may feel sudden weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, dizziness, or vision problems. Often, the symptoms go away within a few hours.

Although not a big concern, mild stroke is a serious warning signal. It means that it carries a high risk of having a major stroke later. Hence, you should not ignore it. If you or someone else experiences any stroke symptoms, see a doctor right away. Taking action quickly can prevent big problems and safeguard your brain.

What are the Common Symptoms of Mild Stroke?

The common symptom of a mild stroke is short-lived. These symptoms usually last for one hour or less, and any symptom occurring longer might suggest a stroke rather than a transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Doctors can evaluate whether the symptoms of a stroke and TIA are similar only after conducting relevant tests. Some of the common symptoms of mild stroke include:

• Feeling weak suddenly, facing numbness or paralysis, is often experienced on one side of the body, affecting the arm, face, and leg.
• Facing complicated issues with speech that include slurring words and trouble understanding what the other person is saying
• Unexpected changes in vision, such as blindness in one eye or both or seeing a double image
• Acute dizziness or loss of balance and coordination

What are the Causes of Mild Stroke?

The causes of a mild stroke are similar to an ischemic stroke, the most common and well-known stroke. It happens when blood clotting prevents blood supply to a specific part of the brain. However, unlike a stroke, the blockage can dissolve over time, whereas permanent damage does not occur.

Here is what typically happens in a mild stroke:

• The disruption in the blood supply originates from cholesterol, which builds up in an artery, a condition popularly known as atherosclerosis.
• These plaques also tend to build along the branches of an artery, providing nutrients and oxygen to the brain.
• These plaques restrict the blood flow through the artery and stimulate clot formation.
• Blood clotting formed in any portion of the body, such as the heart, and transported to the artery responsible for supplying the brain can lead to TIA.

Treatment for Mild Stroke

When a mild stroke takes place, it is necessary to take prompt actions to minimise damage for a lifetime and undergo a smooth recovery phase. The primary options for treatment for mild stroke include surgery, medications, and angioplasty.

Medications

If you experience a TIA, immediate medication can help dissolve blood clots and restore blood flow to your brain. Antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin, are usually recommended, as they help reduce the likelihood of future strokes. Anticoagulants may also be prescribed to people who are at risk of strokes related to the heart. Doctors prescribe these medicines based on an individual's risk factors and the underlying cause of the TIA, which may differ.

Surgery

When doctors suggest that individuals undergo a carotid endarterectomy, they have very narrow openings in their carotid arteries (generally 70% or worse). A carotid endarterectomy removes fatty deposits in the carotid arteries that supply blood to your brain. Normally, this is only recommended when the arteries are significantly narrowed.

Angioplasty

If significant narrowing (generally 70% or higher) occurs in the carotid artery, neurologists may consider angioplasty in patients who cannot undergo surgery. An angioplasty involves introducing a balloon-tipped catheter into an artery, directing it to the area of blockage in the artery to be opened (or re-opened). Then, blow up the balloon to open the artery and place a stent (or small wire mesh tube) so it will remain open.