Be careful, first a mild stroke, then a stroke

Mild strokes have a short duration of attack and can disappear within a few minutes. But even though the symptoms have left, this disease still holds a deadly danger if ignored, including death. Mild stroke itself in medical language is called a momentary ischemic attack or transient ischemic attack (TIA). The cause of this disease is the same as stroke, which is obstruction of blood flow to the brain. So, it's natural if the symptoms that appear are also similar to a stroke.

Mild Stroke Symptoms

Symptoms of TIA or mild stroke itself are usually easily recognized through interference with the face, arms, and speech. The following characteristics:

• Mild strokes can cause facial muscle weakness, the signs are the face down to one side (the face looks asymmetrical), can not smile, can not frown, and eyes or mouth down.
• People with mild strokes may not be able to lift both arms and legs. This happens because their limbs are weak or numb on one side.
• Tingling in the parts of the body affected by minor strokes, such as the face, arms and legs on the affected side.
• Speech ability can also be impaired. For example slurred speech, irregular, unable to understand the words of others, or even unable to speak at all.
• Distracted vision in one or both eyes.
• Headache and dizziness.
• Difficulty walking or maintaining body position due to interference with the body's coordination system. Difficulty walking can also be caused by weakness in the legs and feet.

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. The basic difference between a mild stroke and a stroke is the size or severity of the blockage that blocks blood flow to the brain. In mild strokes, the blockage is still small and has not caused permanent brain nerve damage. Mild stroke symptoms can improve in a matter of hours. While in stroke, the blockage that occurs is greater or more severe, and usually there is damage to the nerves of the brain.

Possible Dangers

Mini stroke, another name for a mild stroke, although the symptoms only last a short time, but can indicate that the body is in danger. People who have a mild stroke are predicted to have a lower life expectancy in the first nine years, compared to those who have never experienced it. This is based on data that about 4 out of 10 people who have a mild stroke then suffer an actual stroke. What is worrying is that half of these strokes occur within 48 hours after a mild stroke. Other studies have also found that about 10 percent of people who have had a mild stroke will have a stroke within the next 1 to 5 years. Although mild strokes strike only in a relatively short time and can recover completely, this condition can easily lead to strokes that have a permanent impact. More severe conditions can occur if mild stroke symptoms are not detected, so they are left alone without treatment. Disorders of the brain that are not treated can trigger complications that affect quality of life, such as dementia.

Risk Factors for Mild Stroke

People with certain conditions are also required to be aware of the possibility of having a mild stroke. For example people who smoke, have high blood pressure (hypertension), and people who are overweight or obese. In addition, people who have high cholesterol levels, consume excessive alcohol regularly, experience heart rhythm disorders, or diabetes are also more susceptible to mild strokes. Considering its deadly effects, a person who sees symptoms of a mild stroke should immediately consult a doctor. The doctor will do a physical examination to assess which parts of the brain are affected, and confirm them through supporting examinations, such as CT scans or MRI of the brain, to check the structure and blood circulation in the brain. In addition, ECG, chest X-ray, and blood tests are also generally done as an additional examination. Live a healthy lifestyle, so that the risk of getting a heavier disease can be reduced. Stop smoking, limit consumption of cholesterol foods, not consume alcohol, and exercise regularly, are some ways you can do to stay away from strokes. Also make sure to consume enough fruits and vegetables, maintain a healthy body weight, and manage diabetes well, to avoid this disease.