Transient
Ischemic Attacks (TIA)A neurological deficit similar to a mini stroke,
but very fleeting in nature and completely reversible within a 1 or 2 hour period,
is called a transient ischemic attack. Depending on he underlying pathology this
might be harmless or it might be the first sign of an impending disaster. It warrants
a careful work-up by a neurologist. Symptoms: There
is a sudden presentation a focal neurological symptom such as loss of speech,
numbness and lack of power in one extremity or visual problems. However, the symptoms
only last a few minutes up to at the most 1 or 2 hours. There is no loss of consciousness.
These attacks could happen as isolated events, but often happen intermittently
2 or 3 times in a year. If there are frequent TIA's, the patient is at a significantly
higher risk of developing a full stroke. Diagnosis: Because
of the possibility of an impending stroke the presence of an ischemic attack should
be considered like a possible first warning of an impending stroke. In
other words, nature gave us a grace period to sort out what is going on. Tests
should include a CT scan of the brain and possibly angiogram of the blood vessels
to the brain, particularly images of the carotid and vertebral arteries. Ultrasound
Doppler studies would also be useful to examine the bifurcation of the carotid
arteries and the blood flow through the major neck vessels. An echocardiogram
to look for abnormalities of the heart valves would be another useful test. The
rationale of all these tests is that the physician is looking for causes for shedding
of emboli such as from ragged heart valves or arteriosclerotic plaques in the
carotid arteries or the vertebral arteries. The CT scan of the brain rules out
an existing stroke, scarring from a previous stroke, a brain tumor and an aneurysm.
Some blood tests are also done to rule out diabetes mellitus and autoimmune diseases
such as lupus erythematosus. Treatment: Sometimes,
if the physician finds a marked arteriosclerotic change in the carotid artery
with a narrowing of the lumen of 70% or more, a cardiovascular procedure called
endarterectomy has proven to be very valuable, as it will not only stop the TIA
, but also prevent a stroke. However, not all findings are as clear as
that and the recommendation by the physician will depend on the findings of these
and other tests. In the case of a minimal narrowing or the vertebral arteries
or carotid arteries, the doctor may prescribe ASA or ticlopidine (brand name:
Ticlid, Apo-Ticlopidine or Nu-Ticlopidine) as antiplatelet drugs. With atrial
fibrillation as a heart rhythm and blood clots that are shed from the heart chambers,
anticoagulant therapy with heparin initially, then a switch-over to Coumadin would
be the therapy of choice. In the case of a singular metastasis in the brain from
a previously treated melanoma, for instance, life can often be prolonged by an
excision of the brain metastasis by a neurosurgeon. This may or may not be followed
by radiation therapy. Pain relief: There is an FDA approved
non-drug method available, IceWave
patches from Lifewave, which will control pain and headaches. This is
mentioned in the book "Breakthrough" by Suzanne Somers (Ref. 12) where
newer insights of antiaging medicine are also reviewed. Although the patches are
placed over acupuncture points, there are no needles involved. Nanotechnology,
a newer technology, was used in the manufacturing of these patches and infrared
(heat) waves from body heat are utilized to stimulate an acupuncture point, which
modifies pain perception and reduces pain to half or less. Medically this would
be considered an excellent pain reliever. For more info on the patches see the
IceWave patches from Lifewave link above (click "products"). In the
US a 5 pack of the IceWave spray is available that can be directly sprayed onto
the skin in the area where the pain is located. | 
