Question

1. Explain increased intracranial pressure. Be sure to discuss early signs and what happens as it progresses.

2. Discuss the similarities and differences, if any, between a transient ischemic attack (TIA) and a cerebrovascular attack (stroke).

Answer 1

1.The pressure exerted on the brain and spinal by the cerebrospinal fluid is called as intracranial pressure .The normal range is 5 to 15mmHg.A level more than 15mmHg is considered to be increased intracranial pressure

The early signs of increased intracranial pressure are

• GIT:nausea,vomiting
• CNS:Confusion, headache, loss of consciousness
• Sensory:double vision or blurring of vision
• others:backpain
• In infants :bulging fontanelles and widening of sutures in the skull

If this progresses this can lead to loss of vision, stroke,seizure, coma and even death

2.The similarities are

• Decreased blood supply to the brain
• The cause can be a blockage, narrowing of arteries or a clot
• It is also called as mini stroke
• The symptoms are same

The differences are

• TIA is temporary ,after a few minutes the blood supply to brain cells are regained and starts functioning whereas the stroke is permanent loss of blood supply which can be reversed only with medical help
• TIA resolves on own,Stroke needs medical intervention like administration of antithrombolytics
• The symptoms are only for few minutes to hours in TIA,wheras in stroke the symptoms can be permanent
• Complications are expected in stroke.