What are the symptoms of a stroke?

Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 19, 2024
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Symptoms of stroke vary greatly, and it is crucial to judge based on the circumstances. The symptoms are mainly divided into two major categories: hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke. The most common symptoms of hemorrhagic stroke are severe headaches, projectile vomiting, and the gradual onset of consciousness disorders. Some people might also experience limb numbness, weakness, speech impediments, and other conditions. The most common symptoms of ischemic stroke include dizziness, limb numbness, and speech impediments; sometimes, these symptoms alternate, so it is essential to pay attention to clinical observations and focus on differential diagnosis. There are also other types of symptoms, such as cognitive decline, urinary and fecal incontinence, unstable gait, swallowing difficulties, and coughing while swallowing. Therefore, it is imperative to visit a hospital in a timely manner for testing to clearly understand the specific changes in the patient's condition at that time, thus better facilitating the patient’s recovery.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min home-news-image

What does stroke include?

Stroke, translated from the English word "stroke," refers to rapidly occurring pathological changes. Stroke mainly includes two types of diseases: ischemic cerebrovascular disease and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease, with ischemic cerebrovascular disease being the most common. Ischemic cerebrovascular disease includes large artery atherosclerotic cerebral infarction, small artery occlusive cerebral infarction, as well as cardiogenic cerebral embolism and other causes of cerebral infarction. Hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease mainly includes cerebral hemorrhage caused by hypertension, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and cerebral hemorrhage caused by aneurysms or vascular malformations. The onset of a stroke is very aggressive and can severely threaten the patient's health. Once a stroke is suspected, it is critical to rush to the hospital for appropriate diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and provide the most suitable treatment plan.

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Written by Tang Ying
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
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Stroke Rehabilitation Treatment Plan

In the rehabilitation treatment of stroke patients, we first need to conduct a comprehensive rehabilitation assessment, evaluating the patient's current primary clinical symptoms, nutritional status, and rehabilitation functional impairments. Based on the results of the assessment, we determine the patient's main functional impairments, targeting a series of functional impairments such as mobility, hand function, as well as speech and swallowing disorders. We adopt a series of therapeutic interventions including exercise therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, swallowing therapy, speech therapy, psychological therapy, rehabilitation engineering, and rehabilitation nursing. Generally speaking, through evaluation, we develop a personalized rehabilitation treatment plan for the patient, comprehensively promoting the patient's overall recovery, improving the patient’s ability to live independently, and helping them return to their families, society, and work positions as soon as possible.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Can a stroke be cured?

Stroke is mainly divided into ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke, also known as cerebral thrombosis, can benefit many patients if they can reach a hospital quickly and receive intravenous thrombolysis within the time window, such as within 4.5 hours, leaving them with only mild neurological deficits followed by proper rehabilitation training. Some patients can be cured. However, if the stroke is severe from the onset, resulting in complete paralysis or even consciousness disorders such as drowsiness, stupor, or coma, the treatment outcomes can be significantly less effective, potentially leaving some degree of disability. Generally speaking, whether a stroke can be cured depends closely on the initial severity of the stroke, the overall condition of the patient, and the timeliness of the treatment. Some conscious patients who receive timely treatment can be cured, whereas those with severe conditions typically suffer from long-term complications.

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Written by Tang Ying
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
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Rehabilitation nursing for stroke patients

For the rehabilitation and nursing care of stroke patients, first and foremost, we need to monitor the patient's vital signs, food intake, sleep, as well as bowel and bladder function. Secondly, we should pay attention to their psychological state, checking for signs of tension, anxiety, and depressive emotional reactions. Thirdly, we encourage patients to overcome their illness and to establish confidence in their recovery. Fourthly, we guide patients to actively engage in physical function exercises, as well as daily activities such as eating and dressing to practice their daily living skills. Fifthly, we manage proper limb positioning and patient turning, prevent pressure sores, and also prevent a series of complications such as venous thrombosis and urinary tract infections.

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Written by Tang Ying
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
1min 15sec home-news-image

The soft paralysis phase of a stroke refers to a few weeks after the onset.

The recovery of stroke patients is generally divided into four phases: the flaccid phase, also known as the hypotonic phase, the spastic phase, the recovery phase, and the sequelae phase. The symptoms of the flaccid phase mainly include muscle relaxation, low muscle tone, and lack of autonomous movement. The majority of patients maintain the flaccid phase for about one to three weeks, and depending on the individual's condition, they generally begin to enter the spastic phase after one to three weeks. A small portion of patients with severe conditions and poor initiative, who have not undergone formal rehabilitation training, may extend their flaccid phase to more than a month or even longer. Therefore, receiving early formal rehabilitation training to improve muscle strength and spasticity treatment can allow patients to smoothly transition through the flaccid phase and gradually enter the spastic phase. Good management of spasticity is even more beneficial for the patient’s recovery. Rehabilitation training can help stroke patients recover sooner and faster.