Most people who have a mini-stroke feel fine after the event. In fact, many people don't even realize they've had one! Symptoms might include weakness, numbness, tingling, vision changes or difficulty speaking. Most symptoms are temporary and dissipate within minutes but sometimes can last up to 24 hours.
This can cause sudden symptoms similar to a stroke, such as speech and visual disturbance, and numbness or weakness in the face, arms and legs. But a TIA does not last as long as a stroke. The effects last a few minutes to a few hours and fully resolve within 24 hours.
Although a TIA should not have a long-term impact on your daily activities, you must stop driving immediately. If your doctor is happy that you have made a good recovery and there are no lasting effects after 1 month, you can start driving again.
Other possible symptoms
complete paralysis of one side of the body. sudden vision loss, blurred vision or double vision. vertigo. being sick.
The signs and symptoms of a TIA resemble those found early in a stroke and may include sudden onset of: Weakness, numbness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg, typically on one side of the body. Slurred or garbled speech or difficulty understanding others. Blindness in one or both eyes or double vision.
Fatigue affects the majority of people who have a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke). It can have a big effect on your life.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says most stroke survivors can return to independent, safe driving. Drivers don't automatically lose their license after a stroke.
Dipyridamole and aspirin — Dipyridamole is a medication that may be given after a TIA to reduce the risk of stroke. It is often given as an extended-release form, combined with aspirin (aspirin-extended-release dipyridamole, brand name: Aggrenox). It is taken two times per day.
The sooner you intervene, the better. If you ever encounter anyone experiencing mini stroke symptoms, dial 9-1-1 immediately. It is important to be evaluated as soon as possible following a mini stroke, because you may require emergency treatment in order to prevent or minimize irreversible damage.
Regarding the duration of fatigue after stroke, acute fatigue can last up to 6 months, whereas the chronic type can persist in 40% of patients after 2 years. Another study reported fatigue to be still present in one-third of patients up to 6 years after stroke onset.
Weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, usually on one side of the body. Trouble speaking or understanding. Problems with vision, such as dimness or loss of vision in one or both eyes. Dizziness or problems with balance or coordination.
Tasks that may have come easily before the stroke may be harder and therefore require more energy then they previously would. Management of fatigue is best done with lifestyle changes. Many patients are likely to become much more sedentary after a stroke, so encouraging regular physical activity is imperative.
If you have had a TIA or an ischaemic stroke you will almost always need to take blood-thinners. There are two types of blood thinners: Antiplatelet medication. Antiplatelet medicines stop tiny blood cells called platelets from sticking together and forming a blood clot.
You do not need to be admitted to hospital because of a TIA, but this is often done because of the absence of an alternative. Many TIA clinics now offer a “one-stop” service for which the patient is assessed, investigated (or investigated before the appointment), and given results at the same session.
You may return to any of your previous activities/work as soon as you feel well enough and safe (as long as you follow driving restrictions). You may feel tired for a while after a TIA – pace yourself and listen to your body.
In a previously reported study, 31% of TIA patients showed an acute infarction visualized by MRI including DWI. A strong association was found between neurological symptoms, speech dysfunction and weakness and an evidence of acute infarction by MRI including DWI (Al-Khaled and Eggers, 2013).
While exercise is necessary for good health and recovery after stroke, it's important for patients to avoid overexercising. Pushing the body too hard can potentially result in regression or exacerbate conditions like post-stroke fatigue.
Excessive sleeping after stroke is common during the early stages of recovery as the brain works hard to heal itself. However, excessive daytime sleepiness could signify other problems that deserve a conversation with your doctor.
Sleep is critical, but sleep problems may follow after a stroke. Poor sleep can slow your recovery and lead to depression, memory problems and night-time falls. The good news is there are ways to improve your sleep.
While partial seizures and complicated migraine are the most common and important TIA/stroke mimics, on occasion panic attacks, conversion disorder, vertigo, and syncope can also be confused with TIA. Panic attacks occasionally involve focal neurologic symptoms, but more typically the symptoms are vague and random.
Diagnosis and Tests
The doctor will do some simple quick checks to test your vision, muscle strength, and ability to think and speak. Diagnostic testing consists of either a computed tomogram (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain and carotid arteries to determine the possible cause of the TIA.
Neurologists were more likely to diagnose transient ischemic attack based on clinical features including negative symptoms or speech deficits.