Causes of the transitory ischemic attack
The causes of the transient ischemic attack leading to the underlying circulatory disorder are numerous and largely similar to those of stroke. One of the most common causes is the occlusion of a cerebral vessel by a vascular plug, also called an embolus. These can be caused by a variety of factors, such as calcification of the cervical arteries or coagulation disorders, and can enter the brain via the vascular system.
In addition to such occlusion of the vessel by a foreign body, TIA can also be caused by migraine. This is based on a so-called vascular spasm. In this case, the vessel contracts and only little blood can flow through it to supply the underlying nerve tissue with oxygen. However, despite comprehensive diagnostics, often no triggering cause can be found in TIA.
Diagnosis of a transitory ischemic attack
In the diagnosis of TIA, attention is paid primarily to focal-neurological deficits. A short-term circulatory disorder leads to functional deficits in the affected brain regions. Those affected, for example, are temporarily unable to move parts of the body or can only move them to a limited extent.
Temporary speech disorders also indicate a TIA. Since TIA recedes after a few minutes to an hour and the symptoms disappear completely, a diagnosis is often difficult. To confirm the suspicion of a circulatory disorder, a CT or MRI of the skull can be performed.
MRI in particular can detect early and very small vessel occlusions. Since TIA, in contrast to a stroke, is a short-term, usually small occlusion, imaging can be equally inconspicuous. With the help of an ECG, echocardiography and Doppler sonography of the cerebral arteries, possible causes of TIA can be uncovered and thus the diagnosis made indirectly. Do you need more information on this topic?
How can TIA be distinguished from migraine?
Indeed, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish a severe migraine attack from a TIA. However, there are some indications that may be helpful in making a diagnosis. Firstly, there is the question of whether a person affected has suffered more often in the past from migraine attacks with similar symptoms, as migraine attacks rarely reoccur later in life.
However, the course of the onset of the symptoms is decisive for differentiation. Since TIA usually occurs suddenly, the symptoms start abruptly and slowly decrease after maximum severity. A migraine attack usually progresses more slowly in the beginning and the various symptoms appear slightly delayed.
