It was one summer hot afternoon, my siblings and external relatives had arrived from a road trip and we were all getting ready for an Independence Day barbecue.
Suddenly I heard my auntie scream: it’s F.A.S.T! Call the ambulance! –she said. I quickly rushed downstairs (as the doctor in the family on the scene). There she laid on the floor on her right arm with face drooping and speech quite inaudible.
I held her arms which was quickly slipping off me. I knew exactly time was the greatest enemy at that point. I and the EMS (Emergency Medical Services) needed to act fast! Yes, before the inevitable happens–I said to myself.
In a quarter of an hour the EMS arrived and in a twinkle of an eye she was back to her normal self: talking, smiling and moving her arms. And even got up by herself. Are you ok? – the EMT asked.
Yes, I am- she replied. Well, I guess by now you are wondering as to what happened to my niece. This is what in medical terms referred to as TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) or better to say, a “mini” stroke or a “warning shot” of stroke.
So what is TIA? just as the name implies: transient –meaning brief or temporary or not permanent, ischemic—meaning relating to the deficient blood supply to a body area due to a blockade of a vessel. (for example, blood clot in a vessel) and Attack —meaning insult or injury. TIA it’s a temporary stroke-like experience that resolves within 24 hours.
Most people with TIA may go on to develop stroke usually within a year after the attack if no medical evaluation is performed. TIA by itself may therefore guide clinicians and patients to develop preventive health plans against stroke development
What causes TIA then? Well just like stroke, atherosclerosis (fatty deposit plaque development in vessels) is the single most risk factor, and other triggers include modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Modifiable (those factors that can be changed/altered) include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking and sedentary lifestyle, etc., as well as Non-modifiable factors (those factors that cannot be changed), including family history, age, sex, coagulopathies and previous TIA.
Interestingly this young beautiful niece of mine had an excellent health record- so to speak! So how did she develop a TIA? She recounted that two weeks ago, she had come across a fad diet/Weight loss diet on social media called Keto diet (I will talk about Keto diet in next episodes).
Basically following the Keto diet includes high fatty diet and protein as well as limiting carbohydrates. This Keto diet causes dehydration and increases the viscosity of blood and probability of blood clot formation. So there you have it a young! -A young healthy woman with no previous significant medical history, now has a TIA just like that just like!
TIA mimics the F.A.S.T mnemonic for stroke. That is: Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech slurring and Time to call emergency. Please do not waste any time getting Help when these symptoms and or more, occur to you or a loved one! I believe you may know or have a relative who has or high stroke and I can imagine they experience, even for caregivers is quite distressing.
So how can we prevent TIA? Most helpful way is to follow medical evaluation/recommendations for modifiable risk factors and also urgent medical follow up is a must right after a TIA. Remember, you can prevent a stroke after a TIA, don’t wait till it happens! Act fast and down stroke!
Till next week, stay safe, stay healthy!
Source: Alicia Agyemang-Sarpong, MD F.A.S.T and you!
