Stroke treatment methods

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 11, 2024
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For patients who suffer a stroke, it is crucial to immediately transport them to the nearest local hospital. At the emergency room of the local hospital, a cranial CT scan or MRI should be conducted to confirm the presence of a stroke, as well as to determine its exact range and severity. If there is an acute indication for surgery, thrombolytic therapy is recommended. If the optimal time window for thrombolysis has passed, it is advisable to use medications that invigorate the brain, improve blood flow to remove stasis, nourish the nerves, and enhance microcirculation in the brain tissue. This can effectively help improve the conditions of ischemia and hypoxia in the brain nerves. Furthermore, further treatment should be adjusted based on the patient’s condition. During treatment, attention should be paid to the prevention and treatment of various complications or comorbidities, such as pulmonary infections, urinary tract infections, hypoproteinemia, deep vein thrombosis, etc.

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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 Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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Can a cerebral infarction be treated?

Stroke is treatable, but it must also be judged based on the situation. The meaning of "treatable" here is that various treatment plans can be used to reduce the further occurrence of cerebral infarction and the situation of recurrence. However, the nerve cells that have already suffered ischemic necrosis cannot be restored to exactly the same condition as before. This means that the best scenario is recovery to the point of being able to take care of oneself, but it is absolutely impossible to return to the state of freedom before the illness, such as running and jumping. Currently, there are many treatment methods, including medication and surgical treatment. Each of these is a mode of treatment, and each case's differences determine different treatment plans. Decisions must be made according to the situation.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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Causes of cerebral infarction

There are many causes of cerebral infarction, but the most common in clinical practice is the narrowing or occlusion of the carotid artery. Since the brain is supplied by four blood vessels, any issues with any of these vessels can potentially lead to a cerebral infarction. Conditions commonly known as the "three highs"—high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol—can easily lead to narrowing or even blockage of the blood vessels. Thus, these factors are fundamentally the cause. Additionally, smoking and drinking can also lead to vascular narrowing and cause cerebral infarction. In some special cases, autoimmune diseases can cause inflammation inside the vessels, leading to narrowing. Other causes include arterial tears due to trauma, which can lead to ischemia and infarction, or abnormal blood supply due to arrhythmias causing cerebral infarction.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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What tests are done for a cerebral infarction?

For patients with cerebral infarction, it is recommended to take the patient to a local hospital for timely treatment during the acute phase. A cranial CT scan or MRI should be performed to help assess the current situation. Cranial MRI plays an important auxiliary diagnostic role in identifying the specific location, extent, and severity of the cerebral infarction. It is advised to perform a cranial MRI during the acute phase for a clear diagnosis, and then decide the next step of the treatment plan based on the situation. Within the surgical window, thrombolytic therapy can be applied to achieve dissolution of the clot. If the optimal timing for thrombolysis has been missed, it is recommended that the patient be hospitalized to receive treatment, including intravenous drips, brain-nourishing drugs, nerve nutrition, and medications that invigorate blood circulation and remove blood stasis, to help improve the state of ischemia and hypoxia in the brain tissue.

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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.