Is a cerebral infarction serious?

Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Stroke is a very serious disease; its essence lies in the ischemic necrosis of nerve cells. A characteristic of nerve cells is that once they undergo ischemic necrosis, they cannot regenerate. Along with cardiac muscle cells, they are the only cells in the human body that cannot regenerate once they have died. Therefore, for the part of the tissue where nerve cells have already died, such as in cases of cerebral thrombosis or stroke where the tissue has already been affected, it is impossible to completely restore it. If the affected area is relatively small, some compensation might be possible. However, if the affected area is relatively large, this will lead to a significant amount of ischemic necrosis in the neural tissue, which can cause total dysfunction of various tissue structures in the body, and in more severe cases, can lead to coma and eventually the death of the patient. Therefore, it is imperative to take this seriously in clinical practice.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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Can the blood vessels in a cerebral infarction be unblocked?

Whether the blood vessels in a cerebral infarction can be reopened is closely related to time. If it is within the hyperacute phase, which means within six hours from the onset of clinical symptoms to hospital admission, the majority of cases can undergo thrombolysis intravenously, or arterial thrombectomy to reopen the blood vessels. However, if the time exceeds this window, reopening is no longer feasible, and forced reopening at this stage can easily lead to the detachment of distal thrombi or cause reperfusion injury, which is more detrimental to the patient's condition. Therefore, it is impossible to reopen the blood vessels during the chronic phase or non-hyperacute phase. If treatment of this vascular occlusion is desired, vascular anastomosis can be considered, though the specific type of anastomosis surgery depends on the patient's specific condition at the time. Thus, the possibility of reopening a blood vessel in a cerebral infarction certainly depends on timing.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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Is it good to drink milk after a stroke?

Patients with cerebral infarction can drink milk, but it must be analyzed according to the specific condition at the time because patients with cerebral infarction often experience coma and accompanying dysphagia with coughing. In such cases, drinking milk is not a problem, but attention must be paid to changes in dietary habits. If necessary, a gastric tube must be inserted through the nose into the stomach for feeding to avoid direct oral intake, which can cause coughing, aspiration, and lead to pneumonia. Therefore, this point must be carefully considered. For ordinary people in daily life, a cup of milk a day is a very good choice because milk mainly contains protein and does not contain a lot of fat and sugar. For patients with cerebral infarction, this diet is very ideal. If fresh milk can be used in everyday life, it is more beneficial for promoting the patient's recovery.

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Written by Liu Dong Yang
Neurosurgery
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Can a cerebral infarction recover?

Most patients who experience a stroke have relatively good recovery after active treatment and rehabilitation exercise, but very few patients can recover to the physical state they were in before the stroke. This is mainly because after the stroke, brain cells are damaged due to ischemia and hypoxia. Since brain cells are non-regenerative tissues, it is difficult for them to regenerate once they are damaged. The function of the damaged brain cells is mainly compensated by the undamaged brain neurons. Therefore, even with active treatment, it's not possible to return to a completely normal state. However, even so, it is still crucial to actively pursue treatment and rehabilitation exercises after a stroke, as these can significantly reduce the disability and mortality rates caused by the stroke.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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What location is used for moxibustion in the treatment of cerebral infarction?

For patients with cerebral infarction, it is usually recommended during the acute phase to conduct a cranial MRI to determine the location and severity of the stroke and to decide the next treatment plan. If surgery is indicated, treatment can be administered through intravenous thrombolysis. If surgery is not indicated, or the optimal treatment time has been missed, it is recommended that the patient be hospitalized for treatment. During the acute phase, medications that invigorate the brain and improve blood circulation while nourishing the nerves are administered, and it is important to monitor any changes in the patient's condition. The effectiveness of moxibustion in treating cerebral infarction is generally moderate. During the recovery phase, patients can try moxibustion, but it is generally advised to seek treatment under the guidance of a Traditional Chinese Medicine physician at a reputable tertiary hospital.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Massage methods for cerebral infarction

For patients with cerebral infarction, many of them suffer from facial paralysis, often characterized by crooked mouth and eyes and drooling. To alleviate symptoms and help improve the asymmetry of the mouth and eyes, it is suggested to massage the facial and neck muscles of the patient. It is generally recommended to seek an experienced Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner who can use manual massage techniques, targeting specific acupoints to effectively relieve pain and improve symptoms. For patients with motor dysfunction or even hemiplegia, manual massage can effectively help prevent muscle atrophy, relieve muscle rigidity, and reduce muscle tone.