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Recovery From Small Stroke

A small stoke, also called a mini-stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA), is caused when there is a clot in the brain that reduces the supply of blood and oxygen. A small stroke is the same as a regular stroke, but in the case of a TIA, the clot is more temporary then a clot with a regular stroke and it usually dissolves within minutes.

  1. Identifying a Small Stroke

    • The symptoms of a TIA are exactly the same as those of a large or regular stroke. Cardiologists suggest that anyone who notices a person with FAST symptoms should be rushed to hospital. FAST stands for the series of four symptoms that signify a stroke. These symptoms include facial weakness, in which you have difficulty in smiling or your face drops; arm weakness, which means you cannot raise both hands to the level of your head; and speech disturbance, which means you have to be checked for clarity and coherence in speech and comprehension. T stands for the testing that needs to be done to determine the extent of each of the symptoms.

    Treatment

    • The chances of making an immediate recovery from a small stroke are high, simply because your system heals by itself. A person who has suffered a small stroke may be able to lead a normal life for the rest of his life. However, this is not always the case. Depending on the location of the blood clot, a small stroke can cause disability to any part of the body controlled by any of the brain's hemispheres. Although this happens less with a small stroke than with a regular stroke, a small stroke can cause enough damage for a person to be paralyzed for life.

      Depending on the area of the clot and the parts affected, you may require physical therapy to help you regain movement and make you self-sufficient again. Medications exist for preventing further attacks, but they are only useful if you also eliminate other risk factors, which include obesity, smoking and hypertension.

    Recovery

    • The timeline for recovery is purely dependent on the part of the brain damaged and the extent of the damage. In some cases, recovery can take place within minutes, and you may never have another stroke, while in others, permanent damage could be caused to your motor senses. Common lingering symptoms after a small stroke include speech problems; difficulty in standing or walking; loss of coordination; tingling in the arms and legs; delirium; lack of cognitive and analytical thinking; disorientation and loss of proper vision

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