Do you know the signs and symptoms of stroke? The longer a stroke goes untreated, the greater the potential for permanent brain damage or physical disability.
A new Canadian study entitled ‘Early Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Transient Ischemic Attack and Minor Stroke: Do it or Lose it‘ has found that minor stroke patients who receive early MR Imaging are more likely to receive an accurate diagnosis of the stroke’s lesion pattern than patients who wait weeks or even days to be assessed.
The MRI study looked at 263 minor stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack patients both 24 hours following the onset of stroke symptoms (this is referred to as the baseline MRI), and again, 90 days later. The study found that 90 per cent of these patients had more identifiable brain lesions in the baseline results than the results that were looked at 90 days later. Therefore, in order to properly diagnose a lesion pattern following minor stroke or TIA, MRI investigation should occur as soon as possible after the first symptom is reported.
Symptoms of Stroke
-Sudden headache accompanied with dizziness, nausea, an altered state of consciousness or blurred or darkened vision in one or both eyes.
-Difficulty walking, speaking, controlling motor skills or understanding speech.
-Sudden paralysis of face or body, particularly when one side of the body is affected.
If you or a loved one appears to be suffering from a stroke, call for medical assistance immediately. Never wait to see if the symptoms will go away; it is very important that a stroke be treated as soon as possible.