- EXPLORE FURTHER: Experts identify everyday habit contributing to constant fatigue
Persistent fatigue might indicate an unnoticed mini-stroke, according to a study.
Commonly referred to as a transient ischemic attack, these events happen when there’s a temporary obstruction of blood supply to the brain, lasting up to 24 hours.
Over 240,000 Americans and approximately 45,000 British individuals encounter them annually, yet just one out of every 30 people recognize that they have experienced one.
This is due to the fact that the symptoms can often be overlooked: muscle weakness, headaches, and alterations in vision.
A team of Danish scientists has recently discovered that these small strokes can lead to far more enduring impacts, resulting in long-term consequences for those affected. feeling exhausted for as long as one year.
Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs) can lead to tiredness because of various reasons, such as the brain needing to adjust to the short-term disturbance in blood circulation.
After experiencing a TIA, the brain needs to exert more effort to accomplish tasks, which can result in higher energy usage and prolonged tiredness.
Dr Boris Modrau, a neurology professor at Aalborg University Hospital in Denmark and the principal investigator of the study, stated: "Individuals experiencing a transient ischemic attack might exhibit signs like facial asymmetry, limb weakness, or impaired speech, but these symptoms typically subside within 24 hours."
Nevertheless, certain individuals have experienced ongoing difficulties such as diminished quality of life, cognitive issues, depression, anxiety, and exhaustion.
The research tracked 354 individuals aged around 70 who experienced a minor stroke over the course of one year.
Participants were required to fill out surveys regarding their degree of tiredness during the initial fortnight following a minor stroke, and then once more at three, six, and twelve months post-event.
The researchers examined the number of participants who reported fatigue by setting the threshold at a score of 12 or above. Additionally, those included in the analysis were subjected to brain scans to detect any presence of blood clots.
The specialists found that 61 percent of the participants reported higher fatigue levels two weeks following the transient ischemic attack.
Half experienced tiredness at the three, six, and twelve-month marks.
The researchers similarly discovered that individuals reporting fatigue were two times more prone to having experienced anxiety and/or depression previously.
The team stated that the study was observational and does not establish that the mini-strokes caused the ongoing fatigue.
Dr Modrau stated, "Persistent tiredness was widespread among our cohort of study subjects, and we discovered that individuals who experienced exhaustion during the first fortnight post-hospitalization were prone to continuing fatigue for as long as 12 months."
He similarly suggested that specialists should concentrate on identifying indications of tiredness in mini-stroke patients and offer appropriate care.
'Future research could focus on monitoring individuals diagnosed with a transient ischemic attack over several weeks and months to evaluate persistent fatigue.'
'This may assist us in identifying individuals who could face prolonged exhaustion and necessitate additional support,' he concluded.
The research was released today in Neurology, which is the medical journal associated with the American Academy of Neurology.
Although not to the same extent as a full-blown stroke, a mini stroke can still result in some level of brain damage when it happens.
Such harm may result in muscular weakness, challenges with coordination, and an overall feeling of tiredness—all indicators of exhaustion.
Medically speaking, fatigue refers to an ongoing and extreme sense of weariness or deficiency in strength that hinders everyday tasks, despite having had sufficient rest.
Specifically, physical tiredness may encompass muscle weakness, discomforts, pains, digestive problems, and migraines.
Mental fatigue involves struggles with concentration, taking on new activities, delayed reactions, and poor judgment.
A mini-stroke may lead to brain damage that alters sleep habits, causes emotional turmoil, and impairs memory, factors that can result in persistent fatigue.
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