The diagnosis of a microstroke in official medicine (in the International Classification of Diseases X revision) does not exist, but it is often used as a colloquial term.
A disease that corresponds to a colloquial "micro-stroke" is a transient cerebrovascular accident (MVPD).
What is a microstroke?
PNMK means a violation of the cerebral functions of the vascular genesis of a transient nature, which takes place on its own or as a result of treatment during the day. After a microstroke, most often pathological symptoms are absent, according to CT and MRI of the brain. But in some cases, residual phenomena in the form of mild organic neurological symptoms are determined with the complete restoration of brain functions.
According to statistics, in 40% of patients after a microstroke, hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke occurs over the next three years. At the same time, there is a relationship between the number of transferred micro strokes and the likelihood of a stroke in the future. The proportion of microstroke in men 20 - 54 years old is 25%.
Over the past decades, micro strokes have become younger. If earlier it was the prerogative of men over the age of 60, now similar disasters also occur with young people under the age of 30.
The main danger of a microstroke is that they may not pay attention to it: its duration can be from several seconds to a day. But the chances of a serious stroke in the future increase dramatically if nothing is done.
Microstroke in men - causes
The most common, "traditional" causes of microstroke in men:
- hypertonic disease;
- symptomatic hypertension;
- atherosclerosis.
Less common is a microstroke in men, the causes of which:
- vasculitis in diffuse diseases of connective tissue;
- heart disease;
- osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
- A sharp drop in blood pressure.
In young people, a micro stroke can provoke:
- stressful situation;
- high pressure;
- great physical activity;
- alcohol;
- obesity;
- binge eating.
Age after 45 years is a risk factor.
Signs of a microstroke in men - quick test
Damage to the vessels of the head often develops in a matter of minutes, so it is very important to know the symptoms of a microstroke in men in order to take some kind of therapeutic measures.
There are special tests that anyone can do to detect a microstroke or stroke.
1. With a smile - a distortion of the face or drooping of the corner of the mouth on one side is visible.
2. When showing the tongue - with a microstroke or stroke, the tongue will be laid aside
3. When holding outstretched arms with palms up, one hand begins to "fail."
4. Speech impairment and the degree of understanding can be clarified by proposing to give your name or any simple phrase: with pathology, speech will be slurred, blurry.
If at least one test coincides, urgent hospitalization and emergency treatment are necessary. The peculiarity of a microstroke is that at the first signs it cannot be distinguished from a stroke.
Microstroke in men - symptoms
A microstroke in men, the symptoms of which are practically no different from the signs of a stroke, is characterized by sudden headache, dizziness, impaired perception of the environment. The condition may worsen. Depending on the location of the damaged vessels of the brain, certain disorders appear:
- numbness of any parts of the body;
- weakness in the limbs - mainly one-sided;
- impaired coordination - staggering when walking, the feeling that "arms (legs) are not obeyed";
- speech impairment;
- vomiting at the height of headaches;
- increased headaches in bright light, sharp sounds;
- Short-term loss of consciousness with amnesia.
With a micro stroke in men, several of the symptoms listed may occur simultaneously, or one of them may occur. Adequate treatment started in time will limit the size of the affected brain tissue and increase the chances of a full recovery.
In most cases, the symptoms of a microstroke in men are not expressed, erased, may not be noticed by others and by the patient himself.
Microstroke in men - treatment
Micro strokes are diseases that are important to recognize and take action on time. Even if everything went without serious consequences after a micro stroke, in men the treatment should consist in a healthy lifestyle, first of all, in giving up alcohol, smoking, physical activity should be present, but in moderation. This affects the further development of the disease: in the future, a microstroke may recur in a more severe form and with serious consequences. The repetition of such episodes of transient cerebrovascular accident leads to a decrease in intellectual abilities, in the future, dementia may occur. Therefore, with a micro stroke in men, treatment should be started immediately, medical care was provided no later than three hours after the attack in order to avoid possible complications. The effectiveness of the measures taken decreases sharply after six or more hours.
Some experts believe that a microstroke in mild forms of treatment does not require.
Due to the seriousness of the problem and possible serious consequences, self-medication is not allowed and is strictly prohibited. There is no significant difference in prescribing medication for microstroke and stroke.
Drug treatment
With a micro stroke in men, treatment is aimed at restoring blood circulation in the affected area. For this, drugs of several main groups are used:
- vasodilating;
- nootropics;
- angioprotectors;
- antiplatelet agents;
- statins.
1. Vasodilator drugs improve vascular patency, lead to increased blood supply to the affected area.
2. Nootropics improve memory, contribute to the activation of mental activity.
3. Angioprotectors reduce the permeability of the vessel walls, improve metabolic processes and microcirculation in the vessels.
4. Antiplatelet agents prevent the formation of blood clots: they prevent platelets from sticking together and to the vessel wall.
5. Statins lower cholesterol, their appointment is mandatory to prevent repeated micro-strokes and the occurrence of strokes.
Treatment should be comprehensive, using drugs of all groups, under the supervision of a neurologist.
Rehabilitation includes physiotherapy, massages, exercise therapy, breathing exercises. When restoring all functions, visit an ophthalmologist once a year to examine the vessels of the fundus, since they are most susceptible to changes.
All of the above treatment relates to microstrokes in men with severe clinical manifestations. But, since they often go unnoticed, no one conducts these therapeutic measures. Sometimes there is enough peace, rest, and in the future, maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Microstroke in men - prevention
A microstroke urgent requires a lifestyle change to rule out a possible recurrence.
1. Be sure to exclude alcohol, smoking.
2. Refuse strong tea and coffee.
3. Follow a diet: remove everything fatty, spicy, fried from the diet, limit eggs (no more than 3 per week) and dairy products. Use black or bran bread.
4. Mandatory moderate physical activity.
In a broad sense, the prevention of microstrokes consists in the same measures that are necessary to prevent strokes:
1. Routine treatment of hypertension, coronary heart disease is another pathology that can lead to microstroke.
2. Properly selected treatment for stroke.
3. Mandatory visit to a neurologist 2 times a year.
4. Proper employment, taking into account limited employment.
According to statistics, with strokes that occur after the first microstroke, mortality is 20%. If you change the lifestyle and follow the recommendations of a specialist, the quality of life after a micro stroke may not suffer.
