Small strokes warn of big trouble
By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I'll make a long story short. About five weeks ago, my right hand went numb and I couldn't talk. My husband believed I was having a stroke and called an ambulance. By the time I got to the hospital I was back to normal. The doctor said I had a ministroke and told me I should see my own doctor. I did. He examined me and didn't find anything wrong. Should I be on some sort of medicine? W.K.
ANSWER: What you describe was a transient ischemic attack, a TIA. Some call it a ministroke. Ischemic means a cutoff of blood supply. Transient denotes short duration. In the case of a TIA, symptoms last less than 24 hours, but most last five to 10 minutes. Even though the episode is short-lived, some brain cells die, but not enough to cause permanent loss of function.
The great danger is that between 4 percent and 20 percent of people who have had a TIA will have a full-blown stroke within the next three months.
Symptoms of a TIA are the same symptoms as those of a stroke: numbness, weakness, dizziness, an inability to speak, trouble walking, loss of balance or a vision defect. They disappear when blood flow is re-established.
You definitely need to do something to prevent suffering a stroke. The problem is an obstruction in a brain artery. Either the obstruction is a buildup of cholesterol on an artery wall or it's a piece of clot (an embolus) that has traveled to a brain artery from a distant site like the heart. Determining the exact problem dictates what the therapy should be.
It might be squashing an artery buildup with a balloon-tipped catheter or surgically removing it. Or it could be taking medicines that prevent platelets from clinging to cholesterol buildup and completely occluding the artery. Aspirin, aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole or Plavix are such medicines. Or it might be going on the anticoagulant Coumadin. See another doctor. A neurologist would be a good choice.
The stroke booklet explains this common condition, third on the list of causes of death. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue No. 902W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6.75 Canada with the recipient's printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.
***
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Is age the only cause of age spots? Will vitamins remove them? D.K.
ANSWER: "Age" spots are brown spots often seen on the back of the hands. Age is one element in their appearance. Sun exposure is another.
Vitamins won't remove them. Doctors can remove them with liquid nitrogen. Or they can be left alone.
***
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I would really like to know how long we can safely keep and eat leftover potato salad. I threw away a bowl of it because it was on its fifth day. Am I overcautious? M.J.
ANSWER: You can eat potato salad that's been refrigerated from three to five days. You're not overcautious. You're following a wise rule: "If in doubt, throw it out."
***
Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.
(c) 2007 North America Synd., Inc.
All Rights Reserved
|
|
