What is a transitory ischemic attack (TIA)?
Basically, the term TIA (transitory ischemic attack) describes a short-term circulatory disorder of the brain, which presents itself in the form of neurological deficits. Because the underlying circulatory disorder only lasts for a short time, the neurological symptoms of TIA recede within a few hours. In which period of time these symptoms have to regress is a controversially discussed topic in medicine.
In most cases, however, the time window of about 24 hours is given. TIA occurs mainly between the ages of 60 and 70. The cause of TIA is believed to be the short-term occlusion of vessels in the brain. If such a vascular occlusion persists for a longer period of time, it is referred to as a stroke. Thus the two clinical pictures of TIA and stroke differ only in the temporal frame of the circulatory disturbance and the resulting neurological deficits.
By which symptoms do I recognize a transitory ischemic attack?
The symptoms of a TIA differ only slightly from those of a complete stroke. In most cases, however, there is no maximum expression of the symptoms. The symptoms of TIA are all neurological in nature.
Thus, changes in sensory perception usually occur. This can lead to significant visual disturbances, which may even result in a short-term complete loss of vision. A similar situation is described for hearing.
Patients with TIA continue to often show balance disorders. The extent ranges from a slight dizziness to a sudden fall attack due to the loss of balance (so-called drop attack). Speech may also be significantly impaired.
Here, too, the spectrum of symptoms ranges from a short-term disruption in word finding to a complete loss of speech (aphasia). Depending on the area of the brain affected, pronounced paralysis of the arms and/or leg can also be seen. A general disturbance of consciousness is almost always accompanied by TIA. In contrast to a stroke, TIA is characterized by the fact that all the symptoms described above disappear within 24 hours and do not leave any permanent damage. Since the distinction between the two diseases can therefore only be determined in the course of the disease, this combination of symptoms is always initially considered an emergency and is handled like a stroke.
