Symptoms of cerebral infarction

Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
Updated on December 31, 2024
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Patients with cerebral infarction may exhibit paralysis of one side of the body and aphasia. If the patient has a brainstem infarction, symptoms may include unclear speech, difficulty swallowing, and coughing while eating. In cases of cerebellar infarction, there may not be symptoms of hemiplegia; the main symptom is usually dizziness. Additionally, large-scale cerebral infarctions can lead to disturbances in consciousness, manifesting as coma. Typically, cerebral infarctions do not affect consciousness unless they are extensive, which may also lead to coma. Moreover, patients with cerebral infarction often experience symptoms while resting quietly, commonly waking up in the morning to find themselves unable to speak or with paralysis on one side of the body, although their consciousness remains clear. These are typical manifestations of cerebral infarction.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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How is lacunar infarction treated?

Lacunar stroke is a type of cerebral stroke characterized by lesions smaller than 1.5 cm in diameter. Often, these can be discovered incidentally on a CT or MRI scan in asymptomatic patients. In such cases, it's important to evaluate whether the patient has risk factors such as hypertension or diabetes, and consider the patient's age, smoking, and drinking habits. Further assessments with cranial MRI angiography or other vascular imaging are recommended to clarify the state of the blood vessels and guide treatment. Additionally, some patients may experience an acute onset with symptoms like slurred speech or limb weakness. Although these symptoms might be mild, it is crucial to seek prompt medical attention to assess the blood vessels and guide further treatment based on the physician's physical examination of the patient.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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Is a cerebral infarction a stroke?

Brain infarction is a type of stroke, and in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), stroke is categorized as an illness, differentiated as external and internal wind. External wind, as discussed in "Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases," occurs due to external evil invasions, also referred to as the Gui Zhi soup proof. Internal wind belongs to diseases caused by internal injuries, also termed brain stroke or sudden stroke. Commonly, stroke refers to the type caused by internal injuries involving disorders such as the chaos of qi and blood, obstruction of cerebral vessels, or blood overflow in the brain. It is a cerebral neurological disease identified mainly by sudden fainting, hemiplegia, numb limbs, difficult speech, facial distortion, and unilateral numbness. This condition is characterized by a sudden onset, rapid changes, and is akin to the pathogen of wind favoring rapid and multiple changes. The type of stroke discussed here is akin to a brain stroke. Brain infarction refers to the obstruction in a brain artery caused by various emboli such as intracardiac mural thrombi, atherosclerotic plaques, tumor cells, fibrocartilage, or air traveling with the bloodstream. When collateral circulation fails to compensate, it leads to ischemic necrosis of the brain tissue in the supplied area, causing focal neurological deficits. Cerebral hemorrhage, on the other hand, refers to bleeding within the brain tissue not caused by trauma but due to the rupture of intracerebral vessels. Both cerebral hemorrhage and brain infarction often result in varying degrees of motor deficits, cognitive impairments, and speech and swallowing difficulties, collectively referred to in stroke cases. Hence, brain infarction is considered a type of stroke.

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Written by Chen Ya
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What should be noted for cerebral infarction?

People with old myocardial infarctions need to pay attention to their diet. A low-salt, low-fat diet is recommended. Additionally, individuals like Student Shi who have difficulty swallowing must be careful not to choke, as this can lead to aspiration pneumonia. If they really cannot eat, they may need to have a gastric tube inserted for feeding. Emotionally, it is crucial to control emotional fluctuations as they can cause blood pressure spikes, potentially leading to further progression of a cerebral infarction. Regarding medications, they must be taken on time and regularly to prevent risk factors including hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Blood pressure should also be controlled within the normal range. Furthermore, functional exercise is essential, particularly for those suffering from sequelae post-infarction, to prevent local muscle atrophy and stiffness.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
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Which department should I go to for a cerebral infarction?

Stroke is caused by blockage or narrowing of blood vessels within the skull, leading to ischemic necrosis of brain tissue and a range of symptoms. Typically, patients with strokes are seen in neurology departments. Of course, the location of the stroke varies, and each patient's clinical presentation is different. If a stroke occurs, a cranial CT scan can provide a clear diagnosis. Clinically, treatment primarily involves dehydration, lowering intracranial pressure, brain protection, and nutritional support. If the patient has a large area of cerebral infarction and high intracranial pressure, they can be seen in neurosurgery, where procedures such as craniotomy decompression may be used to reduce intracranial pressure.

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Can a cerebral infarction be effectively treated?

Most cases of cerebral infarction can be treated effectively, except for some extensive cerebral infarctions, which may leave varying degrees of sequelae. During the acute phase of treatment for cerebral infarction, medications that promote blood circulation, improve circulation, prevent platelet aggregation, and anti-atherosclerosis drugs are used. If treatment can be administered within three hours of onset, intravenous thrombolysis can be performed, which may lead to a faster recovery if successful. Additionally, medications that eliminate free radicals are used during the acute phase to remove free radicals that damage brain cells. Other treatments involve the use of neurotrophic drugs to support the repair of damaged brain cells. After stabilizing the condition, active rehabilitation exercises are recommended, and most patients can be effectively treated.