What foods should not be eaten in the case of a cerebral infarction?

Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
Updated on November 29, 2024
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Stroke refers to the necrosis of brain tissue, causing a series of neurological functional deficit symptoms. The dietary requirements for stroke must be determined comprehensively based on the patient's own condition and underlying diseases. For instance, common risk factors for stroke include hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and elevated homocysteine levels, along with unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking. If the patient has hypertension, a light diet should be emphasized. If they have hyperlipidemia, fatty foods should be avoided in favor of a low-fat diet. In cases of high homocysteine levels, it is advisable to consume foods rich in vitamins. Additionally, if the patient has diabetes, they must adhere to a diabetic and low-sugar diet. Therefore, what food can be consumed depends on the patient's underlying diseases and the symptoms of the stroke. If the patient has swallowing difficulties, care must be taken to avoid hard foods as this could lead to choking and potentially cause a lung infection. Thus, the patient's individual condition must be taken into account when deciding their diet.

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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 Sheng Wang
Neurology
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How is lacunar stroke treated?

Lacunar infarction is a cerebrovascular disease. For lacunar infarctions caused by arteriosclerotic atherosclerosis, the main treatment is to prevent recurrence of infarction and dislodged plaques that cause blockages. Therefore, it is necessary to initiate treatments like aspirin, antiplatelet therapy, and atorvastatin to lower blood lipids and stabilize plaques. It is also important to control risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, as well as conditions like hyperuricemia and hyperhomocysteinemia.

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Written by Zhang Hui
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Imaging manifestations of cerebral infarction

For patients with cerebral infarction, in addition to collecting medical history and clarifying symptoms and signs, imaging examinations are also very important for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of cerebral infarction. They are indispensable tools in clinical examinations. Cerebral infarction primarily requires cranial CT and MRI scans. On cranial CT, cerebral infarction lesions mainly appear as low-density areas and are easily distinguishable from cerebral hemorrhage. The lesions may cause swelling and have a certain mass effect. In cranial MRI, the appearance of cerebral infarction is primarily seen in diffusion-weighted imaging as a distinctly high signal, making it very easy to identify the responsible lesions. In T2-weighted images, the high signal is also clearly visible and easier to differentiate.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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Nursing Measures for Patients with Cerebral Infarction

The nursing measures for stroke patients vary according to different conditions. During the acute phase, the primary concern is life-threatening infections, while during the recovery and residual stages, the focus is on preventing various complications and risks. The care measures are categorized as follows: The first is dietary care. Relatives of stroke patients should be reminded that the diet should be light, low in fat, and high in fiber, following the principle of eating small meals frequently. The second is maintaining clear airways, preventing colds, especially tuberculosis, and ensuring that someone watches over the patient at all times. The third is the prevention of bedsores, assisting and maintaining regular patient turning and moderate activity. The fourth involves preventing burns, bruises, falls, and other injuries by creating a safe and comfortable environment for the patient, ensuring their safety and that there are no hazardous objects in the room. The fifth is preventing constipation which can be aided by abdominal massage and eating foods high in fiber. The sixth is preventing urinary tract infections, timely changing diapers for those patients who can urinate independently, or ensuring sterile techniques for those with catheters. The seventh is preventing falls from the bed, especially for those who are restless; installation of bed rails and other safety measures should be considered. The eighth concerns psychological care since many patients tend to become pessimistic and disappointed post-illness. Family members should be caring and provide comfort and encouragement to the patients. The ninth general care measure involves daily oral care with saline solution or brushing teeth every morning and evening, bathing the patient once or twice a week, and daily cleansing of the genital area.

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Can people who have had a cerebral infarction eat mutton?

Patients with cerebral infarction can appropriately consume mutton, but it depends on the specific condition of each individual. It is advised that those in the acute phase with internal phlegm-heat refrain from eating mutton. However, during the recovery or post-stroke phase, if the patient is weak, malnourished, and shows symptoms of yang deficiency, consuming mutton is appropriate as it is warm in nature and can nourish the kidney and yang, and warm and strengthen the body. Nevertheless, it is important to consume it in moderation to avoid excessive internal heat.