How can a doctor tell if you had mini strokes?

Diagnosis and Tests
The doctor will do some simple quick checks to test your vision, muscle strength, and ability to think and speak. Diagnostic testing consists of either a computed tomogram (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain and carotid arteries to determine the possible cause of the TIA.

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How do they confirm mini stroke?

An MRI scan is most often used. This type of scan uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create an image of your brain.

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How long after a mini stroke can it be detected?

If you've had an ischemic stroke, it's likely that it won't show up on a CT scan of your brain for 24 to 48 hours.

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Does a mini stroke show up on a scan?

You will likely have a head CT scan or brain MRI. A stroke may show changes on these tests, but TIAs will not.

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Can you tell if you had a mini stroke in the past?

Unfortunately, most people don't actually find out they've suffered from a silent stroke until they see a doctor for another condition and are ordered to have an MRI or a CT scan. At that point, their doctor may notice small areas of damage in the brain indicating a silent stroke.

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Video: Understanding signs of mini strokes

22 related questions found

What are the 5 warning signs of a mini stroke?

Call 9-1-1 immediately if any of these signs of stroke appear: Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg; Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech; Trouble seeing in one or both eyes; Trouble walking, dizziness, or problems with balance; severe headache with no known cause.

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What happens if a mini stroke is left untreated?

Even if a major stroke is avoided, repeated mini strokes can have a cumulative negative effect on one's brain health and cognitive function. In severe cases, vascular dementia may result from untreated cerebrovascular events.

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Can an MRI tell if you had a mini stroke?

Introduction. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred and most sensitive modality after transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke. It should include diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and should be completed within 24 hours of symptom onset1,2; its use is 3-fold.

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What is the treatment after a mini stroke?

Aspirin and other antiplatelet medicines

You'll probably be given low-dose aspirin straight after a suspected TIA. Aspirin works as an antiplatelet medicine. Platelets are blood cells that help blood to clot. Antiplatelet medicines work by reducing the ability of platelets to stick together and form blood clots.

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What are the after effects of having a mini stroke?

Around 70%reported that their TIA had long- term effects including memory loss, poor mobility, problems with speech and difficulty in understanding. 60%of people stated that their TIA had affected them emotionally. There is no way to tell whether a person is having a TIA or a stroke when the symptoms first start.

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Should I be worried if I had a mini-stroke?

All types of strokes — including TIAs — require immediate medical attention. Because a TIA may eventually lead to a larger stroke, diagnosis and treatment are important.

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How do you feel days after a mini-stroke?

However, some people were left with some residual (on-going) symptoms that lasted a few weeks, and some people continued to experience some symptoms for a while afterwards. Commonly these included arm and limb weakness or numbness, slurred speech, memory problems, confusion and visual difficulties.

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Do you always have a stroke after a mini-stroke?

About 1 in 3 people who has a TIA goes on to experience a subsequent stroke. The risk of stroke is especially high within 48 hours after a TIA . The symptoms of a TIA are similar to those of a stroke and include: Numbness or muscle weakness, usually on one side of the body.

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What triggers mini strokes?

If the person researches what causes mini-strokes, they will discover that 90 percent are caused by plaque-filled blood vessels blocking the blood flow to the brain or by a blood clot that travels from other parts of your body — like the heart — to the brain.

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What to avoid after having a mini stroke?

If you've already had a TIA, making these changes can help reduce your risk of having a full stroke or another TIA in the future.
  • Diet. ...
  • Exercise. ...
  • Stop smoking. ...
  • Cut down on alcohol. ...
  • Managing underlying conditions.

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Do you stay in the hospital after a mini stroke?

How long you stay in the hospital depends on your symptoms and the treatment received. The average amount of time to stay in the hospital after a TIA is 2 to 3 days.

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Is it OK to drive after a mini stroke?

If you drive a car or motorbike and you had a single transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke with no brain surgery or seizures, you can usually start driving again after one calendar month.

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What does a mini stroke feel like in your head?

Weakness, numbness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg, typically on one side of the body. Slurred or garbled speech or difficulty understanding others. Blindness in one or both eyes or double vision. Vertigo or loss of balance or coordination.

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How long will a mini stroke show up on an MRI?

However, mounting evidence suggests that an MRI within 1 to 2 days of a TIA could spot evidence of a stroke that may disappear in time. MRIs can detect tissue damage even when symptoms are temporary. The sophisticated imaging technique can detect stroke lesions that may become less apparent quickly.

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What is a silent mini stroke?

A silent stroke refers to a stroke that doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms. Most strokes are caused by a clot that blocks a blood vessel in the brain. The blockage prevents blood and oxygen from reaching that area, causing nearby brain cells to die.

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Can you live a full life after a mini-stroke?

The good news is you absolutely can live a full life after a mini-stroke. Here's how. Like strokes, mini-strokes occur when a blockage occurs in a major artery to your brain, disrupting the flow of blood and oxygen. The difference is in a mini-stroke, the disruption lasts only minutes, so there's no permanent damage.

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Can a mini-stroke repair itself?

The short answer is yes; the brain can heal after acute trauma from a stroke or brain injury, although the degree of recovery will vary. The reason the brain can recover at all is through neuroplasticity, sometimes referred to as brain plasticity.

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Can you ignore a mini-stroke?

“Ignoring any stroke sign could be a deadly mistake,” says Mitch Elkind, M.D., chair of the American Stroke Association. The Association recommends calling for emergency help immediately, even if the symptoms go away. Acting fast can improve your chances of accurate diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

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How long does a mini stroke usually last?

The disruption in blood supply results in a lack of oxygen to the brain. This can cause sudden symptoms like those of a stroke. However, a TIA does not last as long as a stroke. The effects only last for a few minutes or hours and fully resolve within 24 hours.

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How do you feel days before a stroke?

Weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, usually on one side of the body. Trouble speaking or understanding. Problems with vision, such as dimness or loss of vision in one or both eyes. Dizziness or problems with balance or coordination.

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