Lasting Fatigue After a Mini-Stroke: A Common but Mysterious Symptom

A recent study has shed light on a concerning phenomenon following a mini-stroke, also known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA). While TIAs are temporary blockages of blood flow to the brain that resolve within 24 hours, some people may experience prolonged fatigue lasting up to a year. This study, published in Neurology®, has found an association between mini-strokes and lasting fatigue, but it does not prove causation.

Researchers from Aalborg University Hospital in Denmark conducted the study, involving 354 participants with an average age of 70 who had experienced a TIA. The participants were followed for a year, during which they completed questionnaires to report their level of fatigue at four different time points: within two weeks after the mini-stroke, and again at three, six, and twelve months later.

The questionnaires assessed five types of fatigue, including overall tiredness, physical tiredness, reduced activity, reduced motivation, and mental fatigue. Scores ranged from 4 to 20, with higher scores indicating more fatigue. Notably, participants had an average score of 12.3 at the start of the study, which decreased slightly over time but remained elevated.

The researchers found that 61% of participants experienced fatigue two weeks after the mini-stroke, and this persisted in 54% of participants at three, six, and twelve months later. Furthermore, they discovered that previous anxiety or depression was twice as common in those who reported lasting fatigue.

While brain scans showed no significant difference in clot presence between those with long-term fatigue and those without it, the study highlights the importance of monitoring patients for lingering symptoms after a mini-stroke. This could help healthcare providers better understand who might struggle with fatigue long-term and require further care.

As one researcher noted, “Long-term fatigue was common in our group of study participants, and we found that if people experience fatigue within two weeks after leaving the hospital, it is likely they will continue to have fatigue for up to a year.”

This study’s findings emphasize the need for healthcare providers to assess patients for lingering symptoms after a mini-stroke and provide appropriate care. By doing so, they can help alleviate the burden of prolonged fatigue on these individuals and their families.

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The research is clear: regular exercise can have a profound impact on our physical and mental well-being, especially as we age. A recent study published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity has shed new light on the importance of physical activity for adults, particularly when it comes to avoiding the negative effects of mental fatigue.

Researchers from the University of Birmingham and the University of Extremadura in Spain conducted two studies with groups of adults aged 65-79 and 66-72. The results were striking: sedentary men between 65 and 79 performed worse in cognitive and physical tests compared to their younger peers, and these impairments worsened when they were tested in a state of mental fatigue.

However, the second study revealed a different story. Retired men and women who engaged in regular physical activity performed better than their sedentary counterparts, even when mentally fatigued. This suggests that exercise can be an effective anti-aging intervention, helping to mitigate the negative effects of age on cognitive and physical performance.

Professor Chris Ring from the University of Birmingham emphasized the importance of physical activity for adults as they get older. He noted that regular exercise has a host of benefits, including improved cognition, increased exercise capacity, and greater mental fatigue resilience. For older adults in particular, regular exercise represents a simple but effective means to stave off the effects of age.

So, what can older adults do to improve their performance in demanding situations? Professor Ring suggests three active steps:

1. Increase levels of regular physical activity: Engage in activities that you enjoy, such as walking, swimming, or weightlifting.
2. Warm up using a combination of cognitive and physical tasks: This will help prepare you for upcoming physical performance challenges, especially when feeling mentally fatigued.
3. Train using Brain Endurance Training (BET): This method combines cognitive and exercise tasks to improve mental fatigue resilience and enhance physical performance.

In conclusion, the research is clear: regular exercise can have a profound impact on our physical and mental well-being, especially as we age. By incorporating physical activity into their daily routine, older adults can stave off the negative effects of age and improve their overall quality of life.