Recent Blog Articles

Ketamine for treatment-resistant depression: When and where is it safe?

Have lupus? What to know about birth control

Screening at home for memory loss: Should you try it?

Travel tummy troubles: Here’s how to prevent or soothe them

Easy, delicious summer veggie meals will help stretch your food budget

Tracking viruses: The best clues may be in the sewer

Promising therapy if PSA rises after prostate cancer surgery

Strong legs help power summer activities: Hiking, biking, swimming, and more

Should you try intermittent fasting for weight loss?

Why are you taking a multivitamin?
Stroke
Don't be fooled by TIA symptoms
Ignoring TIA stroke symptoms can lead to major consequences
TIA mini stroke symptoms can come in many forms, and are often brushed aside. Your leg crumples under you as you walk down the sidewalk. "That trick knee of mine is acting up again," you think. Or you're suddenly overcome by a dizzy spell. You skipped lunch today, so low blood sugar is your excuse. While both of these explanations are entirely plausible, you may be missing the signs of a transient ischemic attack (TIA) if you jump to conclusions too quickly.
What is a TIA mini stroke?
A TIA, or mini stroke, is a problem in the blood vessels of the brain that causes a temporary decrease in blood flow to a certain brain region. To appreciate a TIA, it helps to understand each of the separate terms in its name, says Dr. Louis Caplan, professor of neurology at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. "Transient" refers to the fact that these episodes are most often very brief, lasting less than an hour. In fact, most TIAs are over within a few minutes. The term "ischemic" specifies that the symptoms result from an obstruction in blood flow, and "attack" refers to an isolated event.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
Free Healthbeat Signup
Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!