Feeling constantly tired? It could be due to a mini-stroke you didn't even realize you were having, a study suggests.
Also known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), it occurs due to a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, and can last up to a day.
Over 240,000 Americans and around 45,000 Britons experience a TIA each year, but only one in 30 people realise it has happened.
This is because the symptoms are mild and often ignored: muscle weakness, headaches, and vision changes.
Fatigue that lasts for months – or even a year
A group of Danish researchers has discovered that these mini-strokes can have long-term effects, leaving those affected feeling tired for up to a year afterwards.
TIA can cause fatigue for several reasons:
The brain must compensate for the temporary interruption of blood flow.
He works harder to complete tasks, consuming more energy, which leads to constant fatigue.
Dr. Boris Modrau, professor of neurology at Aalborg University Hospital in Denmark, said:
"People who experience a TIA may have symptoms such as facial drooping, weakness in the arms or slurred speech - which disappear within a day.
But some report ongoing difficulties such as: lower quality of life, thinking problems, depression, anxiety and fatigue.”
Study: Fatigue is very common after a mini-stroke
Researchers followed 354 people with an average age of 70 who had experienced a TIA for a period of one year.
Participants completed questionnaires about their fatigue levels within two weeks of their mini-stroke and then at 3, 6 and 12 months.
The results showed that:
61% of them experienced increased fatigue within two weeks.
About 50% reported fatigue even after 3, 6, and 12 months.
Those who felt fatigue were twice as likely to have a history of anxiety or depression.
TIA can cause brain damage – although less than a full-blown stroke
While not as severe as a full-blown stroke, TIA can still cause brain damage.
These injuries can lead to:
Muscle weakness
Difficulty in coordination
General feeling of fatigue
Fatigue is defined as a persistent and excessive feeling of tiredness that affects daily activities even after sufficient rest.
Physical fatigue can include: muscle weakness, aches, digestive problems, headaches.
Mental fatigue includes: difficulty concentrating, learning, slow decision-making, and memory problems.
TIA can also affect:
Sleep cycles
Emotions
Memory – all of these contribute to constant fatigue.
Researchers' conclusion
Dr. Modrau concludes:
"Long-term fatigue was common in our group. If a person feels fatigue within two weeks of being discharged from the hospital, it is very likely that that fatigue will persist for up to a year."
"Physicians should monitor patients with TIA for signs of fatigue and provide appropriate care." /Express newspaper/
edition
t7 live
