User:Mr. Ibrahem/Transient ischemic attack

Transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke, is a brief episode of neurological dysfunction caused by lack of blood flow (ischemia) to an area of the brain or retina, without tissue death. It results in the same symptoms as a stroke, such as weakness or numbness on one side of the body, sudden loss of vision, difficulty talking or understanding speech, poor coordination, or confusion. Symptoms generally start suddenly and last less than an hour.

Risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, alcoholism, psychological stress, and lack of exercise. TIAs have a similar underlying mechanism as ischemic strokes. The definition was previously based a duration of symptoms of less than 24 hours; with newer definitions also include no evidence of infarction on medical imaging.

It is a medical emergency. Treatment may include lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking and limiting alcohol, as well as medications such as aspirin, clopidogrel, or anticoagulants (blood thinners). Other measures include blood pressure management, statins, and blood sugar control. In people with narrowing of the arteries in their neck, a carotid endarterectomy may be indicated. About a third of people who have a TIA have a stroke in the future.

About 2% of people have previously had a TIA and 1 per 1,000 people are newly affected per year. Older people (> 60 years) are more commonly affected. Males are more commonly affected than females. TIAs were first described around 400 BC by Hippocrates and noted to be a risk factor for later stroke.