Nuvaring Litigation News

by Steve Fields on August 11th, 2010

Occasionally, there are warning signs that a stroke may lie on the horizon. One of these signs is a mini-stroke, also called a transient ischemic attack (TIA). In order to understand how a TIA might herald an impending stroke, it’s necessary to recognize the factors that cause it. Please contact us for the latest Nuvaring litigation news and information.

Mini Stroke Explained

A full ischemic stroke is triggered by an interruption in the supply of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to your brain. In order to function properly, your brain cells need a continuous supply of these elements, which it receives through your carotid arteries. A stroke is normally caused by blood clots that form elsewhere in the body and travel to these arteries. When they arrive, they create a blockage and prevent blood from reaching the brain tissue. This causes the cells to begin to die within minutes.

A transient ischemic attack is caused by the same factors. For a short period, a portion your brain tissue becomes disconnected from its supply of blood, oxygen, and nutrients. This affects your brain’s function, and can trigger one or more impairments.

Common Symptoms Of A Mini Stroke

Not all symptoms of a TIA are instantly noticeable. This might be the case when a mini-stroke cuts off the supply of blood to an area of your brain you rarely use, or use sporadically. On the other hand, if the flow of blood is restricted from a key area of your brain, you will likely notice immediate signs.

For example, if blood flow to the temporal lobe is obstructed, you might experience difficulty hearing or recalling memories from years past. An obstruction in the occipital lobe may produce vision problems. You might experience a sudden loss in eye-hand coordination if the parietal lobe is affected.

The most common area impacted during a mini stroke is the frontal lobe. This portion of your brain controls movement and sensation as well as functions related to speech, cognition, and behavior. Thus, weakness and numbness in the face and limbs are common. So, too, is an inability to speak or understand what others are saying. You may also experience vision problems and bouts of vertigo.

Stroke Versus A Transient Ischemic Attack

Note that the symptoms associated with a TIA are very similar to those which present during a stroke. The difference between the two events is that the effects of a mini-stroke typically disappear within a day. By contrast, when you suffer a full stroke, the resulting impairments can potentially last for years. In some cases, even with long-term rehabilitation, they may last for the remainder of your life.

It is important to note that both conditions display similarly on an MRI. Without access to additional information, it is impossible to tell the two circumstances apart. This implies that while the effects of a TIA dissipate within twenty-four hours, the event may still result in permanent brain injury.

Is A Full Stroke Imminent?

Brain ischemia, regardless of its severity, suggests an underlying problem that must be addressed. Even if the effects of a mini-stroke disappear, the root cause of the event is likely to trigger a recurrence sometime in the future. It is estimated that nearly one in five people who experience a transient ischemic attack suffer a major stroke within a year. For this reason, urgent treatment is critical – not only to address your immediate symptoms, but to help prevent a future stroke.

In summary, even if Nuvaring side effects involving blood clots fail to cause a stroke, they can trigger a mini-stroke. Because a TIA may be a harbinger of a future stroke, the event should be treated with the same level of urgency.

Nuvaring Litigation 2010

If you or someone you know has suffered from blood clots, stroke, pulmonary embolism, or other Nuvaring problems, find out about your legal rights. Contact one of our Nuvaring lawyers to discuss whether you should file a claim for compensation against the manufacturer.