Causes of Cerebral Infarction

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 26, 2024
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The specific causes of cerebral infarction are mostly seen in older patients with several underlying diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Over time, without well-controlled blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids, arteriosclerosis can easily form within the blood vessels, or atherosclerotic plaques can develop. Once the plaque forms, under certain triggers, the unstable detachment of the vascular plaque can occur. The embolus then moves with the blood flow into the brain and lodges in a narrowed part of the vessel, causing local blood supply areas to experience narrowing or blockage. At this point, a cerebral infarction is likely to form, leading to ischemia, necrosis, and degeneration of the brain tissue supplied by the vessel, resulting in a softening lesion. On a cranial CT scan and MRI, a local low-density shadow can be observed, which is the specific cause of the cerebral infarction.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Brain infarction belongs to which department?

Brain infarction is usually classified as a neurology disease. Patients with brain infarction often exhibit clear symptoms of headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and significant swallowing dysfunction, leading to coughing while drinking. Some patients may also experience facial nerve paralysis to some extent, manifesting as unclear speech, difficulty speaking, and articulation disorders. When the aforementioned clinical symptoms occur, the possibility of brain infarction is considered high. Performing a cranial MRI scan for patients can help determine the specific location, number, and severity of the infarction. Generally, it is recommended to treat patients with brain infarction during the acute phase with drugs that enhance brain function, nourish the nerves, and promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis, and many patients can achieve satisfactory treatment results. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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What should be paid attention to in the diet for cerebral infarction?

There are many dietary considerations for patients with cerebral infarction: The first point is to definitely eliminate some unhealthy eating habits, including smoking, drinking alcohol, consuming large amounts of meat, binge eating, sitting for long periods, and not exercising, among other things. Improving these bad habits can greatly help in reducing the recurrence of cerebral infarction. The second point is to adopt a diet low in salt and fat and high in protein. It is essential to avoid greasy and pickled foods on a regular basis to also reduce the recurrence of cerebral infarction. The third point is to eat more green leafy vegetables on a daily basis, especially those that are local and seasonal. If blood sugar levels are stable, increasing the consumption of fruits can also enhance the body's resistance and reduce the recurrence of cerebral infarction.

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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 department should I go to for a cerebral infarction?

When a patient suffers a stroke, it is advised to promptly visit a local hospital and consult a neurologist to assess the condition. Often, when an acute stroke occurs, treatment can be administered through thrombolysis. If the window for thrombolytic therapy is missed, conservative pharmacological treatment is recommended. Clinically, it is generally recommended to treat patients with medications that enhance brain function, promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis, and nourish the nerves. Patients’ vital signs should be closely monitored, and dynamic reassessment through head CT or MRI should be conducted to observe changes in the patient's condition. In cases of extensive stroke, it may be necessary to transfer the patient to neurosurgery for decompressive craniectomy surgery.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
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Can someone who has had a cerebral infarction eat eggs?

Patients with cerebral infarction can eat eggs. In clinical practice, many people believe that eggs, especially egg yolks, contain very high cholesterol, which can easily lead to hyperlipidemia. However, this does not specifically cause hyperlipidemia. Eating one egg a day generally does not have a severe impact on the human body. After all, the human body is constantly active and consumes nutrients. Eating an egg will not particularly affect the body but will supplement many proteins and other essential substances. Therefore, it is best to eat eggs. However, if there are other symptoms present, such as difficulty swallowing, coughing while eating, or a comatose state, then eggs should not be consumed. It is crucial to make judgments based on the situation.