Written by nursingstudents Roosa Erkkilä, Minttu Marila & Jutta Hautamäki
On Worlds TIA Day, October 29th, we need to be paying more attention to prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of cerebrovascular disorders. Worlds Stroke Organization, WSO, and Aivoliito ry want to affect that fewer and fewer people would suffer from cerebrovascular disease and for all of whom suffer from TIA can receive professional and high-quality care. Approximately 25 000 suffer from transient ischemic attack every year.
“This year HUS Neurocenter and Finnish Neurological Society’s cerebrovascular division is organizing a social media campaign directed especially for young adults. The campaign is aiming to raise awareness that cerebrovascular disorder can occur at any age. It’s vital to recognize the symptoms of it and to call for help immediately because every minute is precious when a transient ischemic attack occurs. During the week, the 16 social media influencers selected for the campaign will share information and stories about cerebrovascular disorders. On the campaign pages in Terveyskylä Aivotalossa you can take part in TIA quiz, in which prizes will be drawn between participants. The prizes are Oura- rings, activity bracelets and storytell gift cards. At the campaign pages you can also find experience reports from those who have suffered from TIA from a young age. You can also find information about cerebrovascular disorders, their symptoms and how to act if you recognise symptoms in yourself or others. In addition to HUS Neurokeskus and the Finnish Neurological Society, Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Abbott, Storytel and Polar acted as supporters of the campaign.”
https://www.hus.fi/maailman-aivoverenkiertohairio-avh-paivaa-vietetaan-29-lokakuuta
So what is cerebrovascular disorder?
TIA causes brain dysfunction, which can result for example speak and motor difficulties. Dysfunctions in the brain can also be caused by a brain injury, a brain tumor or brain inflammation. The tissue damage caused by TIAs affects the patients ability to function in many ways. The consequences are individual and they depend on the location and extent of the damaged area. TIA can cause either permanent or transient body paralysis symptoms, sensory deficits, disturbances on speak function and other mental performance. One in two TIA patients will have a permanent disability and the other half will have a sever degree of disability. One in four recovers completely, more than half recover on their own and one in seven will need institutional care.
Cerebrovascular embolism, or stroke
Stroke is a disease in which the area of a suddenly blocked artery, the brain tissue is deprived of blood flow and oxygen. Because of this, a local part of the brain tissue goes into permanent necrosis. A blockage is often caused by a blood clot in a narrowed artery. The symptoms of a stroke can be: limb dysfunction or numbness usually on one side, symptoms of paralysis, difficulty to produce speech, slurred speech, various visual disturbances and dizziness.
Cerebral haemorrhage
In a cerebral haemorrhage, an artery ruptures, causing blood to leak either into the brain matter or into the space under the subarachnoid mater. SAH, or subarachnoid haemorrhage, is most often caused by the rupture of a congenital bulging of an artery on the surface of the brain. Paralysis symptoms usually develop a little slower in cerebral haemorrhage than in stroke. Depending on the size and location of the leak, symptoms range from mild to severe. In the early stages of bleeding, headaches often occur, but not always.
TIA or transient ischemic attack
In a Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA for short, the symptoms will pass after 24 hours at the latest. Usually, a TIA symptom will pass within an hour. The first TIA is usually a good warning sign to start looking into what risk factors are behind the attack and hopefully this way an actual stroke can be avoided. The situation is still not flawless even when symptoms might go away, as almost one out of ten patients still experience a stroke within a week after the TIA symptoms.
IIThe symptoms of a TIA usually depends on which artery in the brain the vascular disorder develops. Headache and pain are not associated with the symptoms, and they usually start completely unexpectedly and suddenly. Most common momentary symptoms include weakness of the upper or lower limbs on one side of the body, paralysis on one side of the face (mouth is drooping?), difficulty to understand speech or speaking, blurred vision in one eye, difficulty to form words, difficulty swallowing, or dizziness accompanied with seeing everything in two. It is to be noted that sudden dizziness only does not signal a vascular disorder.
Who can be at risk of getting sick?
Risk factors for cerebrovascular disorders are largely similar to those for cardiovascular diseases. The risk of getting sick doubles after the age of 55 for each decade. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the risk of developing cerebrovascular disorders. However, some of the risk factors are such that you cannot influence them yourself, for example hereditary factors, age and male gender. However, most of the risk factors are treatable and preventable. It is important to pay attention to healthy lifestyles and to take good care of diseases that increase the risk. High blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases have been linked to risk factors for cerebrovascular disorders. Smoking, heavy alcohol use and little exercise have also been found to be a risk factor to cerebrovascular disorders.
In cerebrovascular disorders, prevention plays a major role, as it reduces the risk of developing cerebrovascular disorders and prevents their recurrence. Risk factors must be mapped out and treated. Some diseases are treated with medication, but you can also reduce the risk with your own lifestyle. Healthy lifestyles include regular exercise and eating nutritious food. The diet should include a lot of vegetables, berries, fruits, whole grains, fish and saturated fats. Quitting smoking and using alcohol in moderation are also positive factors. However, don’t try to change everything at once, but make small, sustainable changes in your everyday life.
Sources:
https://www.aivoliitto.fi/ajankohtaista/maailman-avh-paiva-29.10/
https://www.aivoliitto.fi/aivoverenkiertohairio/faktat/#a1a5514f
https://www.hus.fi/maailman-aivoverenkiertohairio-avh-paivaa-vietetaan-29-lokakuuta
https://www.terveystalo.com/fi/tietopaketit/aivoinfarkti-ja-aivoverenvuoto/#Aivoinfarkti
https://www.terveyskirjasto.fi/dlk00591 https://www.terveyskirjasto.fi/dlk00001