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Brain atrophy
Does cerebellar atrophy cause dizziness?
Patients with cerebellar atrophy may experience dizziness. In clinical practice, multiple system atrophy that leads to cerebellar degeneration and spinal cerebellar ataxia often present with symptoms of dizziness. Generally, dizziness is very common when there is a lesion in the cerebellum. However, some patients may show significant cerebellar atrophy on imaging but actually do not exhibit symptoms of dizziness. Therefore, the condition can vary from person to person. There are many causes of cerebellar atrophy, including some cerebrovascular diseases that can lead to cerebellar atrophy, with symptoms such as dizziness and ataxia. The key to treating cerebellar atrophy is to properly identify and address the underlying cause.
MRI manifestations of brain atrophy
Patients with cerebral atrophy display clear signs on cranial Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The manifestations on MRI primarily include notably widened cerebral sulci, obvious atrophy of the cerebral lobes, and enlarged ventricles, which are typical presentations of cerebral atrophy. Cerebral atrophy can be categorized into atrophy of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem, each showing different characteristics on MRI, which requires careful differentiation. There are many causes of cerebral atrophy, such as degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, which leads to cerebral atrophy. Cerebral thrombosis and poor cerebral vascular conditions can also cause cerebral atrophy due to insufficient blood supply to the brain. Additionally, drug toxicity and chronic alcoholism can lead to cerebral atrophy, which also needs to be differentiated carefully.
Can cerebellar atrophy be cured?
Cerebellar atrophy is difficult to cure. There are many causes of cerebellar atrophy, such as degenerative diseases of the nervous system. For example, olivopontocerebellar atrophy, which is caused by a disease with an unknown pathogenesis leading to the death of cerebellar cells and resulting in atrophy, currently lacks effective treatment methods and is incurable. Some cases are due to hereditary diseases, such as spinocerebellar ataxia, where patients also suffer from cerebellar atrophy, making it very difficult to cure. In addition, some patients who have been chronically drinking alcohol can also develop cerebellar atrophy due to alcohol poisoning. Although clinical symptoms can be significantly improved by discontinuing alcohol use and administering large amounts of vitamin B1 and B12, the atrophy in the cerebellum cannot be reversed as seen on imaging studies.
Is brain atrophy hereditary?
There are many causes of brain atrophy; whether it is hereditary depends on the specific disease causing it. Most diseases leading to brain atrophy are not hereditary. For instance, some patients suffer brain atrophy due to Alzheimer's disease, where the neurons die irreversibly. This disease is mostly sporadic and does not have a clear hereditary tendency. Of course, a few cases of Alzheimer's do have a family history and may have a genetic propensity. Additionally, brain atrophy can also occur due to intoxication, such as from alcohol, carbon monoxide, or other toxic substances, and these cases definitely are not hereditary. Some patients experience brain atrophy due to cerebral thrombosis, which also lacks a genetic predisposition.
How is brain atrophy treated?
Brain atrophy is a common condition among older patients, characterized by symptoms such as memory decline. Treatment may involve the use of medications that invigorate the blood, improve cerebral circulation, and nourish brain cells. Additionally, dietary therapy can include foods or medicines that nourish the kidneys, and it is recommended to consume more walnuts regularly. Why do foods that nourish the kidneys treat brain atrophy? According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, the kidneys govern the bones and produce marrow, and the brain is the sea of marrow; thus, nourishing the kidneys can treat brain atrophy. Regular consumption of foods like Chinese yam and goji berries is encouraged. These can be added to soups and porridges to help nourish the kidneys and brain, and treat brain atrophy.
How to look at brain atrophy films
Brain atrophy images, in fact, are simple to read, whether it's brain MRI or head CT scans. You'll notice that the brain sulci have become widened, giving the brain a less full appearance, similar to a walnut, a flattened walnut, not very plump, with widened brain sulci and fissures. The brain volume appears smaller, which is typical of brain atrophy images. The treatment for brain atrophy can involve using medications that nourish brain cells and improve cerebral circulation. In terms of dietary therapy, it's beneficial to consume more walnuts and foods that enhance kidney function regularly. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidney governs the bones and generates marrow, and the brain is considered the sea of marrow; thus, these kidney-nourishing foods are believed to be effective in treating brain atrophy. Foods such as Chinese yam and goji berries can be added to soups or used to make porridge, offering benefits in treating brain atrophy.
Brain atrophy should be treated in the neurology department.
Cerebral atrophy is a type of vascular pathology. Patients need to visit the neurology department of a hospital for examination. Mild cases may lead to a decline in memory, while severe cases can affect intelligence and the ability to live normally. Patients with mild symptoms should timely follow medical advice to choose medications that nourish brain cells, and should also stabilize blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood viscosity. Engaging in intellectual games, exercising brain cells, having family companionship, participating in outdoor exercises to enhance immune capabilities, stabilizing the condition, and undergoing regular follow-ups are also advised.
What are the symptoms of cerebral atrophy?
Some patients with brain atrophy may not exhibit any specific clinical symptoms and are only found to have brain atrophy through imaging studies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Some patients do exhibit clinical symptoms, and the common symptoms of brain atrophy mainly include the following manifestations. First, patients may experience a decline in memory function, such as frequently forgetting things they have just done, forgetting where they placed their wallet, or forgetting to bring keys when going out. Second, there may also be a decline in executive functions, such as difficulties in dressing or brushing teeth by oneself. Third, there may be a decline in computational abilities, to the extent that the patient cannot perform simple arithmetic. Additionally, brain atrophy may also present some psychiatric symptoms, such as hallucinations and incoherent speech.
Is cerebral atrophy easy to treat?
Brain atrophy, a condition commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly patients, leads to a decline in memory, resulting in symptoms such as forgetfulness, insomnia, and poor mental health. Mild brain atrophy can gradually improve through the use of drugs that nourish brain cells and regular functional exercise. It is advisable to regularly choose drugs that nourish brain cells, eat foods like walnuts, sunflower seeds, and avocados, and engage in intellectual exercises, such as playing chess or playing games that develop intelligence, all of which are effective in treating brain atrophy.
Symptoms of baby brain atrophy
The symptoms of baby brain atrophy include the following: First, the child shows no interest in the surroundings, poor responsiveness, significantly reduced movements, poor sucking ability, and often chokes on milk. Second, the child with brain atrophy exhibits abnormal muscle tone and posture. Symptoms of cerebellar atrophy include difficulty in abducting the thighs, difficulty in extending the knees, legs straightened and adducted when held upright, legs crossed in a scissor-like manner, bent elbow and wrist joints, and the hands often clenched with the thumb turned inward. Third, congenital reflexes are weakened or may not appear at all, such as the rooting reflex, grasp reflex, and embrace reflex, which are either weakened or completely absent. Fourth, there is limited voluntary movement; the baby cannot reach out voluntarily to grab liked objects after five months or always uses one hand to reach for things. Fifth, there are signs of intellectual disability, delayed language development, or language disorders.