A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a temporary or intermittent neurological event which usually lasts for a few minutes and leaves no permanent effects.
Common symptoms include sudden weakness, numbness or paralysis of the limbs; slurred speech; blindness or double vision; dizziness; and loss of balance or co-ordination.
Symptoms usually last for less than 24 hours.
TIA is usually a sign of an impending stroke.
The Ayurvedic treatment of TIA is aimed at controlling the risk factors for this condition and preventing a full fledged stroke.
Ayurvedic medicines may be given in combination with modern medicines to control the blood pressure and reduce blot clots.
Medicines like Yograj-Guggulu, Triphala-Guggulu, Medohar-Guggulu, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Qadha, Chitrakadi-Vati, Arogya-Vardhini and Chandraprabha-Vati are used to reduce atherosclerosis in the arteries and thus reduce the risk for stroke.
Herbal medicines which can be used for this condition include Guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Psyllium (Plantago ovata), Lashuna (Allium sativum), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Behada (Terminalia bellerica), Sunthi (Zinziber officinalis), Marich (Piper nigrum), Pippali (Piper longum), Chavya (Piper retrofractum) and Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica).
Medicines which act on the 'Ras', 'Rakta' and 'Meda' dhatus (tissues) can also be used for this purpose.
These medicines include Kutaj (Holarrhina antidysentrica), Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Chirayta (Swertia chirata), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) and Rakta-Chandan (Pterocarpus santalinus).
It is also important to treat the risk factors which can cause stroke in patients affected with TIA.
High blood pressure can be treated using medicines like Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina), Sutshekhar-Ras, Praval-Bhasma and Dhamasa (Fagonia cretica).
Cardiovascular diseases can be treated using medicines like Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Shrung-Bhasma, Arjunarishta, Dashmoolarishta, Abhrak-Bhasma and Maha-Laxmi-Vilas-Ras.
Diabetes can be controlled using medicines like Amalaki, Haridra (Curcuma longa), Mamejva (Enicostemma littorale), Gudmar (Gymnema sylvester), Nimba (Azadirachta indica) and Karavellaka (Momordica charantia).
Blood disorders and migraine can be treated using medicines like Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Maha-Manjishthadi-Qadha, Saarivadi-Churna and Pathyadi-Qadha.
It is important for all people affected with TIA to adopt a healthy life style and to avoid the known risk factors related to this condition.
Regular exercise, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling diabetes and cessation of smoking are recommended.