What does a stroke cause?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on November 11, 2024
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Stroke primarily causes neurological deficits such as limb paralysis in patients. This paralysis is typically hemiplegic, where one side of the body lacks strength, the affected limbs cannot walk, and the upper limbs cannot be lifted. Stroke can also cause numbness in the limbs. Patients may experience reduced pain and temperature sensation on one side of the body, unable to feel pain or temperature. Additionally, stroke can lead to headaches and symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, commonly seen in hemorrhagic strokes, such as cerebral hemorrhage. Furthermore, strokes in specific brain areas like the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, and hippocampus can cause cognitive impairments. Patients become slow to react, have significantly reduced learning and memory capabilities, and their ability to perform daily activities and work is noticeably affected. Strokes can also cause unclear speech, where patients have difficulties in expressing themselves verbally and may even be unable to understand conversations.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 9sec home-news-image

What is a stroke?

The English term for 脑卒中 is stroke, which generally refers to a group of cerebrovascular diseases. These diseases often onset acutely and mainly consist of two types. The first type is ischemic stroke, which includes diseases like cerebral thrombosis, watershed infarction, cerebral infarction, and cerebral embolism. The second type is hemorrhagic stroke, which primarily includes cerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage among other bleeding-related disorders. Regardless of the type, the onset of stroke is very sudden, and patients rapidly develop severe neurological deficits. For example, a patient may experience sudden slurred speech, paralysis of one side of the body, or numbness and weakness on one side. There will inevitably be obvious symptoms like dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, and stiffness of the neck. If a stroke is suspected, it is crucial to rush to the hospital immediately. Doctors will make an accurate diagnosis and provide appropriate treatment based on the patient's medical history and cranial CT scans.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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Common clinical manifestations of stroke

Stroke includes ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke, also known as cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage. The clinical manifestations of cerebral infarction depend on the location of the occlusion, and may vary accordingly. Common symptoms include slurred speech and limb weakness. It generally occurs acutely, and may also include memory decline or a series of other symptoms depending on the specific location of the occlusion. If these symptoms occur, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately, as there is an opportunity for thrombolytic treatment within 4.5 hours. In the case of cerebral hemorrhage, patients may experience symptoms during physical activity, possibly accompanied by severe headaches, as well as symptoms of neurological deficits such as unclear speech, limb weakness, or other symptoms. Seizures may also occur. It is essential to visit the hospital immediately if these symptoms appear. If cerebral hemorrhage is confirmed, the decision for surgical treatment depends on the amount of bleeding.

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Written by Tang Ying
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
1min 16sec home-news-image

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 Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
1min 9sec home-news-image

Precautions for Stroke Patients Using Mannitol

Patients with stroke, if experiencing cerebral hemorrhage, extensive cerebral infarction, or cerebral embolism, can develop cerebral edema. In such cases, it is necessary to use mannitol for dehydration to reduce intracranial pressure. Therefore, it is crucial to strictly determine the appropriate indications. For patients with cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral embolism, or extensive cerebral infarction, the peak period of cerebral edema generally occurs between five to seven days, during which time mannitol should be used to lower intracranial pressure. If the acute phase has passed, then there is no need to use mannitol. For some patients, using mannitol weeks later not only lacks therapeutic effect, it might even worsen the condition. Additionally, when using mannitol, it is important to monitor the patient's renal function. In patients with renal insufficiency, the use of mannitol may exacerbate renal damage, so monitoring changes in renal function is essential. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Clinical manifestations of stroke

Firstly, the patient may experience aphasia, such as not understanding others' conversations and being unable to accurately express their own opinions. Signs of facial paralysis, such as a skewed mouth, drooling, and nasolabial fold, may also appear. Secondly, limb paralysis is a common clinical symptom, generally presenting as hemiplegia. There may also be hemisensory disturbances, such as numbness on one side of the body. Thirdly, patients may experience a decline in cognitive functions, exhibiting slow reactions, reduced memory capabilities, and decreased computational skills. If a stroke affects the posterior circulation, the patient may experience symptoms such as dizziness, double vision, and hemianopia.