What is a Vertebrobasilar TIA?

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Even though we are not doctors or members of the medical health team, it is still important for us to understand even a little background of all the different diseases and ailments that are known to corrupt our health. It is indeed true that knowledge and right education are the best weapons that we could have against these life threatening conditions. However, these days, a lot of people are suffering from diseases that mostly affect the nervous and the circulatory systems of the body. One of the most common health problems that affect these areas of the body is none other than the vertebrobasilar TIA or transient ischemic attack. So what is vertebrobasilar TIA and what are the different facts and details about it?

What is a Vertebrobasilar TIA

Vertebrobasilar TIA or ischemia is otherwise known as vertebrobasilar insufficiency or VBI. This type of nervous system problem is also called as the BPS or the “beauty parlor syndrome”. This describes a range of conditions that prevents or hinders the supply of blood into the back portion of the brain. This condition is considered critical since it causes a negative effect on the automatic brain functions including respiration. Because of this affectation, vertebrobasilar TIA is recognized as a life threatening disease.

Vertebrobasilar TIA can be caused by different factors. In fact, this can also be a result from other certain diseases such as stroke or other traumas that causes tears in the artery wall. Nevertheless, finding or identifying the exact underlying cause of the condition is not possible at all times. This, however, produces many types of symptoms associated with the circulatory disorders.

Other Effects of Vertebrobasilar TIA

Another concern that is associated with this type of problem is the risk of its complications and stroke. These can cause blood clots as far as the legs and as well as dysfunctions in the motor and sensory areas of the nervous system. Other possible complications include heart attack, lung infections and as well as respiratory failure. In addition to this, VBI can also cause blindness in one eye since the processing of our visual senses occurs at the occipital region of the brain, which is at the back of the head. This disease is known as BPS or the “beauty parlor syndrome” since as study has revealed that several women experienced this type condition after experiencing strokes that are triggered by arterial tears caused by the distortion as well as the over extension of the women’s necks while using the common hair salon wash basins. These tears produced affected the carotid and the vertebral arteries which resulted to the formation of blood clots and eventually led to the occurrence of stroke. In other words, arterial tears can cause great risk of having vertebrobasilar TIA or ischemia.

Other risk factors that can increase the chance of having VBI include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure or hypertension, high cholesterol level in the body and advanced or old age. Some of the most common symptoms produced by VBI include poor and unsteady gait, difficulty in swallowing of dysphagia, vertigo, neck ache, slurring of speech, nausea and vomiting. Some cases of VBI can also produce symptoms like headache, loss of vision or double vision, problems in bladder and bowel control and muscle weakness.

Fortunately, with the help of our advanced technology in the medical field, certain diagnostic procedures are capable of identifying the underlying cause of the vertebrobasilar TIA. These examinations or procedures include the use of CT scans or computer tomography scans, MRI or magnetic resonance imaging, brain scans, electrocardiograms or ECG, ultrasound and as well as X-ray procedures on the brain arteries.

Once the results of these procedures led the symptoms of VBI as a result of postural factors, then counseling as well as therapies in improving the posture is needed in order to improve motion and movement. Exercise regimens are also proven handy in order to enhance the circulation and flexibility of the patient. Smoking must also be ceased as well as the modification of the lifestyle. The use of osteopathic and chiropractic treatments can also be helpful in correcting postural problems that can lead to the alteration of the supply of blood to the brain. If VBI is caused by a certain disease like DM or hypertension, curing or treating the underlying problem is ideal.

More Symptoms of a Vertebrobasilar TIA

TIA usually begins abruptly which means a sudden reduction of blood supply to the back part of the brain can already cause dizziness. TIA’s are usually temporary while strokes cause longer lasting symptoms that are greater than 24 hours. Other symptoms not mentioned above include ringing in the ears, numbness in the mouth area, hearing loss, confusion and drop attacks.

It is important that these signs and symptoms are taken seriously once they are experienced or felt. Early detection of the problem can help significantly in reducing the risks of having serious and irreversible complications. These are just some of the things that we need to know with regards to the health condition known as vertebrobasilar TIA.