Cerebral infarction is a common acute cerebrovascular disease. The incidence rate is increasing year by year, which seriously threatens people's health. However, many people's understanding of cerebral infarction is not comprehensive, and there are even misconceptions. This article will provide you with a detailed analysis of the relevant knowledge of cerebral infarction, helping you truly understand this disease.
1、 The definition of cerebral infarction
Cerebral infarction refers to a condition in which brain tissue is ischemic and hypoxic due to narrowing or obstruction of cerebral blood vessels, ultimately leading to the death of brain cells. Cerebral infarction is usually divided into two types: thrombotic infarction and embolic infarction. The former is caused by thrombosis in cerebral blood vessels, while the latter is caused by thrombosis or foreign body obstruction of cerebral blood vessels.
2、 Causes of cerebral infarction
1. Atherosclerosis: the most common cause of cerebral infarction, manifested as thickening of the cerebral vascular wall and narrowing of the lumen, resulting in limited cerebral blood flow.
2. Hypertension: Long term hypertension can cause damage to the cerebral vascular wall, making it easy to form blood clots.
3. diabetes: diabetes patients with vascular wall degeneration and reduced vascular elasticity are prone to cerebrovascular disease.
4. Obesity: Obese individuals have a higher risk of cerebral infarction, which is closely related to factors such as lipid metabolism disorders and hypertension.
5. Smoking and drinking: Both smoking and drinking can damage the endothelium of blood vessels and increase the risk of cerebral infarction.
6. Heart disease: Patients with heart disease may experience thrombus detachment, which can block blood vessels in the brain with blood flow.
3、 Symptoms of cerebral infarction
The symptoms of cerebral infarction vary from individual to individual, but common ones include:
1. Numbness, stabbing pain, weakness, or loss of mobility in the face or one side of the upper or lower limbs, manifested as a drooping corner of the mouth on one side, disappearance of forehead wrinkles, tongue extension leaning towards the drooping side of the mouth, gas in the mouth can be exposed from the drooping side of the mouth when bulging, weakness in one side of the body, weakened grip strength, inability to lift limbs, and simultaneous occurrence of upper and lower limbs. The other limb is normal.
2. Dizziness, feeling the rotation of surrounding objects or the rotation of one's own head or body, may be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
3. Headache, the severity of which is related to the degree of the lesion and may be severe and unbearable.
4. Sudden changes in vision, with one or both eyes becoming black or blind.
5. Sudden slurred speech, difficulty speaking, unclear language, or confusion that is difficult to understand.
6. Sudden dizziness, walking or balance disorders.
7. Sudden transient and comprehensive forgetting.
The internationally used "Fast" mnemonic for quickly identifying ischemic stroke:
F (Face): Observe whether the angle of the mouth is asymmetrical.
A (Arm): Pay attention to whether there is a feeling of weakness in the arms.
S (Speech): Listen for unclear speech.
T (Time): If you have the above symptoms, call 120 for emergency treatment at the hospital in a timely manner.
4、 Diagnosis of cerebral infarction
1. Medical history: Inquire in detail about the patient's medical history, including the course of onset, symptoms, and past medical history.
2. Physical examination: Check the patient's neurological signs, such as hemiplegia, speech disorders, etc.
3. Imaging examinations: Head CT, MRI and other imaging examinations can display the location, scope and degree of cerebral infarction.
4. Laboratory examination: Check blood glucose, blood lipids, blood routine, etc., to evaluate the overall health status of the patient.
5、 Treatment of cerebral infarction
1. Acute phase treatment: The acute phase mainly focuses on relieving vascular spasm, improving cerebral blood flow, and reducing cerebral edema. Including antiplatelet aggregation, anticoagulation, defibrillation, volume expansion and other drug treatments.
2. Recovery period treatment: The recovery period mainly promotes the recovery of neurological function and improves the quality of life. Including physical therapy, rehabilitation training, medication therapy, etc.
3. Preventive treatment: preventive treatment shall be carried out for the risk factors of cerebral infarction, such as control of hypertension, diabetes, smoking cessation and alcohol restriction.
6、 Prevention of cerebral infarction
1. Healthy lifestyle: maintain a regular schedule, get enough sleep, exercise appropriately, and avoid obesity.
2. Control of blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipid: Patients with hypertension, diabetes and other diseases should be checked regularly, and medication should be carried out according to the doctor's recommendations to control the blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipid levels.
3. Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption: Smoking and alcohol consumption are risk factors for cerebral infarction, and quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption can help reduce the risk of developing the disease.
4. Reasonable diet: Maintain a balanced diet, eat more vegetables and fruits, and eat less high-fat and high salt foods.
5. Regular physical examination: Regularly conduct cerebrovascular related examinations, such as carotid ultrasound, head CT, etc., to promptly detect and address potential issues.
In summary, cerebral infarction is a common acute cerebrovascular disease that seriously affects people's health and quality of life. To prevent cerebral infarction, the first step is to understand its causes and symptoms, actively control risk factors, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and undergo regular physical examinations. When facing the threat of cerebral infarction, do not panic, but actively cooperate with the doctor's treatment and strengthen rehabilitation training to improve the quality of life.