Reply #76: It IS a TIA [View All]

[Demoiselle]

My husband has had one. (Over two years ago.) CNN has interviewed a doctor who has identified it as a TIA, and it really isn't a stroke. (I repeatedly asked my husband's doctors if the term "mild stroke" was accurate and they said no. )
The key is the "T" --it stands for "transient," which means the condition only hangs on long enough to cause dizziness and other temporarysymptoms, and then clears up...causing the condition to reverse itself. I'm sure they've MRI'd the senators neck to see if there are any residual problems in his carotid artery.
If my husband's doctor's were correct, it's likely to be caused by stress plus physical fatigue, and it's a good idea to loosen one's shirt collars. (I'm not kidding.)
Although it can be a forewarning of a real stroke...it doesn't have to be. Senator Reid should get some good rest during this break. Let's not get too worried yet.