Pathologies of the myocardium and vascular system are one of the main causes of death of many people. In 40% of people with similar ailments, a fatal outcome does not occur due to impaired function of the heart muscle, but as a result of impaired brain activity. The Russian Federation is one of the countries with high mortality rates from such diseases. Today, many are concerned about the question of what to do with a microstroke, since this pathology is one of the most common.
Danger of illness
The disease is a violation of the blood circulation in the brain, the duration of which varies from several minutes to whole days. Today, the disease is more common than before. The victims of pathology are not only the elderly, but also young people aged 30 years. Therefore, questions about what to do with a microstroke and how to recognize the disease are quite relevant.
The disease is a danger to human health. The fact is that he is considered a harbinger of hemorrhage, which has a more extensive character. Microstroke (transient ischemic attack) is an alarming signal for a person and his relatives. The appearance of the disease indicates that the patient needs to pay attention to the state of his health. Unfortunately, a frivolous attitude to this phenomenon leads to the development of complications. The question of what to do with a microstroke is very important. After all, timely help can prevent the dire consequences of pathology.
The mechanism of the development of the disease
All organs and systems of the human body need a certain amount of oxygen and nutrients. And the brain is no exception. Blood delivers various compounds into the cells that are necessary to maintain a normal life. Sometimes, as a result of the occurrence of certain disorders, hypoxia develops. Adipose tissue and muscles are able to be without oxygen for a long time. But the cells of the central nervous system in circulatory disorders die in a few minutes.
The question of what to do with a microstroke is extremely important, because the condition of the patient depends on how timely and effective the assistance will be provided.
If medical measures are carried out late, hundreds of patient's nerve cells die.
There are situations when the blood supply disorder is eliminated independently, without medical intervention. However, such an outcome is considered only a fluke. The next time a person’s condition can become much worse.
Who is most susceptible to the disease?
According to statistics, a microstroke is most often diagnosed in people 65 years of age and older.
This fact is explained by age-related changes occurring in the structure of blood vessels, as well as pathologies that disrupt the process of blood circulation. However, every fourth case of an attack occurs in a young person. This is due to circumstances such as poor diet, addictions, physical and emotional overload. What categories of people are at risk? Among those who have a high probability of developing the disease, you can name:
- People suffering from hypertension.
- Patients with atherosclerosis of the spinal vessels.
- Tobacco users.
- Diabetics.
- Persons with disorders of the myocardium (arrhythmia, coronary heart disease, endocarditis).
- People with increased blood coagulation.
- Women who use contraceptives that contain hormones.
- Patients with cervical osteochondrosis.
- Persons with excess pounds.
Since in recent years, pathology is often diagnosed in young people, the question of what to do with a micro stroke at home is relevant not only for elderly patients.
Possible causes of development
A transient ischemic attack often occurs against the background of various disorders of the body. As such circumstances, specialists determine:
- Congenital anomalies of a vascular nature.
- Lamination of large arteries.
- Hemicrania.
- Pathology of the hematopoietic system.
- Infectious ailments.
- Inflammatory processes in the vessels.
- Cancerous tumors.
- The bearing of the child, the postpartum period.
To answer the question of what to do with a microstroke at home, it is necessary first of all to detect the pathology. The symptoms of the disease are described in the next section.
Manifestations of an attack
As a rule, symptoms of transient ischemic attack are not difficult to recognize. The patient has such violations:
- A sharp pain in the head, which intensifies over time.
- Feeling of numbness in certain parts of the body or muscles of the face.
- Movement coordination disorder. The patient has difficulty moving, may fall.
- Deterioration of visual functions, dark spots or bright flashes in front of the eyes.
- Dizziness.
- Increased blood pressure, red skin tone.
- Nausea and bouts of vomiting.
- Deterioration due to external factors (bright lighting, strong sound).
- Violations of the process of speech. The patient is not able to conduct normal dialogue and respond to questions in a timely manner.
What to do with a microstroke? First of all, you need to call an ambulance service as soon as possible.
Even if the patient felt some relief, do not neglect this measure. After all, his condition may worsen in just a few minutes.
What should be done before the doctor arrives?
If a loved one has signs of a transient ischemic attack, you should not lose time. All possible measures should be taken to alleviate the condition of the patient. If a microstroke occurs, what should I do before the doctor arrives? First of all, it is necessary to provide a person with peace and fresh air. It is necessary to open a window or window. The patient is placed on a surface with a solid structure. His head should be above body level. This position prevents the development of edema in the brain. Tight clothing must be loosened, buttons unfastened, belts. The patient’s head is turned to the side so that he does not choke on the gastric contents. If a person suffering from hypertension has a microstroke, what should I do first? The patient should be given the funds prescribed by the doctor.
If doctors have not prescribed any medicine to a person, they should not be offered to him. This will only worsen the condition of the patient.
Activities carried out by health professionals
Blood circulation in the brain can be restored within three hours. Fortunately, no irreversible changes occur in the organ during this time. What to do with a microstroke? The first aid that doctors provide is as follows:
- Restoration of blood flow.
- Prevention of the development of puffiness.
- Troubleshooting myocardial malfunction.
- Activities aimed at resuscitation of the patient (in case of clinical death).
- The fight against the symptoms of the disease.
What should be done with a microstroke if the patient's condition is not too serious? There are situations when, despite the deterioration of well-being, the patient is able to move relatively normally. But he still does not need to neglect medical help. A person should be taken to the nearest medical facility. This is done immediately after the onset of symptoms of the disease.
Disease Control Drugs
The following groups of drugs are recommended for patients with this pathology:
- Means for ridding the body of toxic substances.
- Drugs that stabilize metabolic processes.
- Medicines aimed at the regeneration of blood vessels and tissues.
- Nootropics (to improve the ability to intellectual activity).
As additional methods of therapy, physical and breathing exercises, massage procedures, and physiotherapy are used. These measures reduce the likelihood of a relapse. While the patient's condition has not stabilized, he is recommended to be in a hospital.
Visual impairment
After a transient ischemic attack, many patients experience the following symptoms:
- Decreased vision in one eye or both.
- Blindness.
- Hallucinations.
- Disruptions in the motor activity of the ocular apparatus.
What to do if vision has fallen after a micro stroke?
Fortunately, after a transient ischemic attack, this function can fully recover. However, there are cases when the activity of the ocular apparatus is severely affected by the disease. Then the specialist prescribes medicines and special gymnastics. In addition to these methods of therapy, the following techniques can be used:
- Use different materials as flooring. They should differ from each other in structure and shade.
- Furnish the apartment with bright objects. The color combinations in the interior should be made diverse. This will help the patient better navigate in space.
- You can color the steps of the stairs used by the patient. Alternating shades is useful for eye training.
The consequences of the disease
Transient ischemic attack is not an easy test for the human body. Inattentive attitude to this condition and the lack of competent therapy cause great damage to health.
A rapid decrease in memory occurs, symptoms of dementia, changes in behavior and character are observed.
One of the terrible complications of the disease is a stroke, which is extensive in nature. It is accompanied by the occurrence of paralysis, fainting, severe headache.
How to avoid the development of the disease?
So that the attack does not recur, it is necessary to identify the causes that provoked it, and begin to fight them. What can not be done after a microstroke? The patient is prohibited from physical and emotional overload. If the doctor prescribes medications for the treatment of concomitant ailments, their use should not be neglected. Patients are not recommended to take alcohol-containing drinks, smoke, eat fatty, salty foods, confectionery. Proper diet plays an important role in restoring health. Vegetables, fruits, lean fish, seafood, and vegetable oil should be preferred.
You need to get enough sleep, regularly take walks in the fresh air. Therapeutic exercises and moderate physical activity are useful for patients, especially for those who have excess pounds.