Can a stroke be detected through a physical examination?

Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
Updated on November 06, 2024
00:00
00:00

Patients who have suffered a stroke can definitely be diagnosed if they undergo a head CT scan or MRI during a physical examination. Stroke is classified into hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke, and tumor-induced stroke. A tumor-induced stroke is caused by a tumor, and hemorrhagic stroke includes cerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Ischemic stroke refers to diseases such as cerebral embolism and cerebral infarction. Whether it is a hemorrhagic or ischemic lesion, over time, they tend to form a softening focus. These lesions are difficult to eliminate, and regardless of how many years have passed, these old lesions can still be seen in a head CT scan or MRI. In cases of stroke caused by brain tumors, the changes in size and location of the lesion can also be clearly seen on a head CT scan. Therefore, strokes can be diagnosed during a physical examination of the patients.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
59sec home-news-image

Can a stroke be detected through a physical examination?

Patients who have suffered a stroke can definitely be diagnosed if they undergo a head CT scan or MRI during a physical examination. Stroke is classified into hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke, and tumor-induced stroke. A tumor-induced stroke is caused by a tumor, and hemorrhagic stroke includes cerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Ischemic stroke refers to diseases such as cerebral embolism and cerebral infarction. Whether it is a hemorrhagic or ischemic lesion, over time, they tend to form a softening focus. These lesions are difficult to eliminate, and regardless of how many years have passed, these old lesions can still be seen in a head CT scan or MRI. In cases of stroke caused by brain tumors, the changes in size and location of the lesion can also be clearly seen on a head CT scan. Therefore, strokes can be diagnosed during a physical examination of the patients.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhao Zi Pan
Neurology
30sec home-news-image

Can a stroke be cured?

Stroke can result in sequelae such as deviation of the mouth, slurred speech, hemiplegia, numbness of extremities, coughing when drinking water, hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing. If the stroke affects a smaller area or is not located in a critical area, recovery tends to be better. However, if the infarct is large or occurs in a critical area like the brainstem, sequelae may persist, with partial function recovery possible within about three to six months.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tang Ying
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2min 1sec home-news-image

Principles of Stroke Rehabilitation Treatment

Principles of stroke rehabilitation treatment. First is the issue of timing; it is crucial to choose the appropriate time for rehabilitation intervention. Rehabilitation treatment should start as early as possible when the patient's condition is stable. Secondly, rehabilitation assessment, also known as rehabilitation evaluation, should be performed throughout the treatment process. This allows for comparability before and after treatment, clarifying the treatment results for the patient and determining if there is a need to modify the treatment plan during the process. Thirdly, it is essential to have rehabilitation treatment goals and plans. Based on assessments, short-term and long-term rehabilitation plans must be developed for the patient to achieve certain rehabilitation objectives. Fourth, the principle of gradual progression must be adhered to in rehabilitation treatment. It should not be rushed, and active participation from both the patient and their family members is crucial, incorporating daily life and exercise opportunities. Fifth, rehabilitation treatment primarily involves comprehensive therapy, which includes physical exercise, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and traditional rehabilitation treatments such as acupuncture and moxibustion, as well as psychological therapy, rehabilitation engineering, and assistive devices. Sixth, conventional pharmacological treatments and necessary surgical interventions are involved. These include essential medications that must be used, and when rehabilitation methods alone cannot restore function, appropriate medical advice from relevant departments should be considered, and surgical treatment may be needed to assist the patient in better recovery.

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

Post-stroke depression

Recent studies have confirmed that in addition to language dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and motor dysfunction, stroke patients also exhibit many signs of depression. According to guidelines published in China in 2016, about 33% of stroke patients experience post-stroke depression, which is a very high proportion. The main symptoms of post-stroke depression include a lack of interest in anything, unwillingness to communicate with others, being quiet and reticent, non-compliance with medication, and non-cooperation with rehabilitation training. Post-stroke depression significantly affects the recovery of patients and their future quality of life. Some patients may even turn to suicide due to depression. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to depression after a stroke, as the incidence rate of post-stroke depression is very high, reaching up to 33%. Clinicians must carefully identify it, and family members of patients must be attentive in their care.

doctor image
home-news-image
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.