So, you’ve heard about the symptoms and dangers of strokes, but are you familiar with mini-strokes? Although these transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are less permanent than full-blown strokes, you should still take them seriously. They could be a cautionary sign that a stroke is upcoming; statistically speaking, they serve as a warning for about 33% of people who experience a TIA. Let’s discuss recognizing mini-stroke symptoms and managing your senior’s risk.
When someone lacks the necessary blood supply to their brain, spinal cord, or retina, they will feel stroke-like symptoms. At the onset of these symptoms, one will be unsure which type of stroke is occurring. However, many people that suffer TIAs will let them go untreated because their duration is typically short, and they do not cause permanent damage. Although signs and symptoms might only persist for a brief period, the matter is still a medical emergency.
The symptoms to look for are similar to those of a regular stroke—face drooping, confusion, vision or speech problems, weak or unsteady feet, severe headaches, and fainting. However, mini-strokes do not permanently damage brain cells or result in paralysis. While this may seem less alarming, you should still address your senior’s risk factors to prevent a future stroke and corresponding permanent adverse effects, such as vascular dementia. Thus, dangers of regular strokes are also threats of mini-strokes since they are so closely related.
The risk for these types of strokes correlates positively with age, diabetes, and obesity. Other factors are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition. Indeed, research has found that people with high stress, depression, and hostility are more likely to suffer a mini-stroke.
To best manage and mitigate the impact of these causes, lifestyle and diet changes can significantly decrease your seniors’ likelihood of issues. Aim for a low salt, low sugar diet, and encourage your senior to move around daily if they feel physically able. Additionally, meditation, breathing techniques, and different forms of therapy can help reduce long-term stress buildup.
We strive to provide your senior with a healthy lifestyle by offering support in several ways. From our assisted living care to our supportive living, their new home will meet their needs and then some! Explore our Evergreen Village and Evergreen Place web pages to discover our campuses in Normal.
