The Nurse’s Station
Welcome to our new monthly series of Q&A on health issues that will help you make better-informed decisions for your and your family’s good health. We took a poll and asked people for topics of interest or questions they’d like us to answer. This month we explore skincare during the summer months and a Covid-19 concern.
Our health and wellness series,“The Nurse’s Station” column, is intended for educational purposes only.
Question:
“The doctor told me that my father is having TIAs and he could have a stroke. Exactly what is that and how does it affect him and our family?” – K.F.
Answer:
Dear K.F.,
Thanks for this very important question. First: Let’s define some terms.
TIA stands for “Transient Ischemic Attack”, meaning a very temporary brain stroke-like event which clears – usually completely – after anywhere from ten minutes to a few hours. It is also called a “mini stroke”. If several occur, it is a warning sign that a full stroke could happen.
- 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
A stroke, or CVA, “Cerebral Vascular Accident” means that there is a blockage caused by a blood clot or narrowing caused by excessive plaque (fatty deposits) in an artery or vein in the brain. This decreases or blocks blood flow completely, leading to a severe drop in the oxygen supply (which feeds the brain) at the site. Not treated right away, this causes tissue death. The tissue death can result in permanent physical impairments, depending on what part of the brain was injured.
The biggest problem is that a TIA or a CVA can happen at any time, anywhere and is not always witnessed. Getting medical attention immediately is a key factor for maximum recovery.
The doctor may order various diagnostic tests, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or a computerized tomography (CT) scan, to help determine what caused the TIA. You may also need tests such as heart rhythm monitoring, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or CT angiography (CTA) to look for possible heart- or blood vessel-related causes. Depending on the underlying cause, medication may be prescribed.
If there are permanent impairments, there are rehab services to restore the highest quality of life possible. Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy may be prescribed in-patient at a rehab facility or out-patient at a clinic or at home.
In all cases, the patient will need great family support because of the tremendous stress related to loss of positive self-image, self-confidence, and frustration in impaired communication.
The family also needs support from the professional community to help cope with all the challenges. Some hospitals have support services. You may decide to get counseling or
find groups online that meet your needs, such as the American Stroke Association.
We wish your father a refuah shleima and a long, healthy life!
We welcome the submissions of your health and wellness related questions for consideration, to be researched and answered on this page in next month’s edition of Unorthoboxed Magazine. Your privacy will be protected. Send your questions to: miryam@unorthoboxed.com
DISCLAIMER:
“Unorthoboxed Magazine in general and this article series in particular, does not provide nor intend to give any medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. The author is a retired Registered Nurse, not currently in practice. The information offered is for educational purposes. It is not intended to take the place of your doctor’s recommendations. You are strongly urged to seek the advice of a trusted primary care physician or specialist. If your situation is urgent or critical, please seek the appropriate professional help immediately.”
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