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Zhang Hui
Neurology
About me
Weifang People's Hospital, Department of Neurology, attending physician, has been engaged in clinical work in the field of neurology for many years, with rich clinical experience in common and prevalent neurological diseases.
Proficient in diseases
Cerebrovascular disease, Parkinson's disease, myelitis, etc.
Voices
What are the symptoms of dementia in the elderly?
Dementia in the elderly encompasses various diseases, with common symptoms primarily involving a comprehensive decline in cognitive functions. For instance, patients may experience a decrease in memory which mainly affects recent memory; such as forgetting to add salt while cooking or forgetting to carry keys when leaving the house. There could also be impairment in distant memory, including not remembering their own birthday or the names of their children. Additionally, there may be a decline in mathematical abilities, where some seniors, even those with university degrees, may struggle with simple arithmetic. A decrease in executive functions is also common, making it difficult for them to perform complex tasks, such as brushing teeth or buttoning clothes, which may pose significant challenges. Moreover, patients might show impairments in spatial functions, primarily manifested as frequent disorientation; in severe cases, patients may not be able to locate their bedroom at home. Finally, in the later stages of dementia, patients may also exhibit psychiatric symptoms and changes in personality.
What causes bleeding in the brainstem?
The most common cause of brainstem hemorrhage is definitely hypertension, which is the most important risk factor for brainstem hemorrhage. Prolonged hypertension can lead to severe arteriosclerosis and hyalinosis in arteries such as the basilar artery, which supply the brainstem. This hyalinosis reduces the elasticity of the blood vessels, and can even lead to fibrinoid necrosis in the vessels, as well as the formation of small aneurysms. These aneurysms are highly susceptible to rupture under the impact of high blood pressure, causing bleeding. If the amount of bleeding is significant, brainstem hemorrhage can be extremely dangerous, possibly leading to coma and life-threatening situations. Additionally, arteriovenous malformations or blood coagulation disorders can also cause brainstem hemorrhage. Long-term use of anticoagulant medications may also lead to brainstem hemorrhage.
Pediatric Encephalitis Diagnosis Methods
The definitive diagnosis of pediatric encephalitis primarily relies on the following aspects: First, the clinical presentation, where patients exhibit acute onset of symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Some patients may even experience severe symptoms such as lethargy, cognitive dysfunction, and seizures. Second, it depends on certain auxiliary examinations, mainly including an electroencephalogram (EEG). The EEG can show that brain waves are abnormal, which is important for the diagnosis of encephalitis. Additionally, the results of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis obtained through lumbar puncture are also referenced. The CSF analysis can show an increase in white blood cells, which plays a crucial role in the definitive diagnosis of encephalitis. Third, it involves completing some relevant routine tests, such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and complete blood count, which are also very important for differentiating encephalitis. Of course, the most accurate method of diagnosis is the isolation of the virus from the patient's cerebrospinal fluid or the discovery of viral inclusion bodies in the neurons of the brain.
Post-stroke sequelae clinical manifestations
The most common cause of stroke is the formation of cerebral thrombosis, which is a type of cerebrovascular disease. This condition begins abruptly, and symptoms can develop within minutes. The common manifestations include slurred speech, facial drooping, and limb paralysis. These symptoms can generally be alleviated to some extent with intravenous thrombolytic treatment or antiplatelet drugs, followed by proper rehabilitation. However, if the condition is severe and treatment is not timely, it may result in lasting effects. These long-term effects, generally referred to as post-stroke sequelae, are identified if neurological disabilities persist six months after the onset. Common clinical manifestations of these sequelae include cognitive impairments where the patient may become confused, have significantly reduced computational abilities, and sometimes may not even recognize family members or understand conversations. Other residual effects include slurred speech, facial drooping, and difficulty in swallowing, leading to drooling while drinking. Some patients may exhibit sequelae like paralysis of one side of the body, inability to walk, raise an arm, or feed themselves independently. Other symptoms can include numbness and pain in the limbs, which can be extremely difficult for the patient to endure. Overall, the clinical manifestations of stroke sequelae are diverse and can involve various neurological deficits.
How do you get Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson's disease is primarily caused by the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain. The death of these neurons leads to a deficiency in dopamine secretion within the central nervous system, resulting in an imbalance between dopamine and acetylcholine in the basal ganglia. Patients exhibit motor symptoms, such as limb tremors, bradykinesia, and muscle rigidity. The specific reasons for the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra are not yet clear, but it may be related to long-term oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Genetic factors also contribute to the disease in some populations.
How is Parkinson's disease diagnosed?
Parkinson's disease is a relatively common disease, and with the aging of the population in our country, the incidence of Parkinson’s disease is increasingly high. Parkinson's disease is mainly diagnosed through physical examinations. Neurologists will conduct corresponding physical examinations on patients with Parkinson's disease. If a patient shows some signs such as slowed movement, increased muscle tone, tremors, and unstable posture, it is highly suspected to be Parkinson's disease. The auxiliary examinations for Parkinson's disease mainly include the following: the first one is the PET-CT scan, but this test is quite expensive and only available in large hospitals, mainly to check the function of dopamine transporters. The second examination that can be performed is cranial MRI, which is mainly to exclude secondary Parkinson's disease syndromes, such as those caused by cerebral hemorrhage or cerebral thrombosis. The third examination involves ultrasound scans, mainly to see if there are any abnormal signals in the substantia nigra of the midbrain.
What does stroke mean?
The English name for 脑卒中 is "stroke," which in Chinese mainly translates from English. In medicine, it is referred to as cerebrovascular disease. Stroke onset is very aggressive, rapidly reaching its peak, typically within minutes to days. Stroke primarily includes ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic strokes primarily encompass diseases such as cerebral thrombosis and cerebral embolism, whereas hemorrhagic strokes mainly include cerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Regardless of the type, strokes pose a significant risk to human health. If not promptly addressed, they can severely affect health and even threaten the patient's life. Therefore, stroke patients must immediately go to the hospital for a thorough examination to determine the type of stroke and receive appropriate treatment.
Is brainstem hemorrhage painful?
Brainstem hemorrhage is one of the most severe and dangerous diseases in neurology. If the amount of hemorrhage in the brainstem is very large, the patient may lose consciousness and quickly fall into a coma, or even suffer from respiratory failure, without any awareness and thus not experiencing obvious pain. However, if the amount of bleeding is small, it may not pose a life-threatening risk but could still cause paralysis of the limbs and impairments in speech function. The patient might be unable to eat orally, presenting significant difficulties in swallowing and coughing while drinking, necessitating the use of a feeding tube for administering food and water. Additionally, there may be dysfunction in urinary and bowel control. Therefore, patients with brainstem hemorrhage who are conscious tend to experience significant suffering. Some patients with very minor brainstem hemorrhages may only show mild hemiplegia and do not feel particularly distressed.
How many days can facial neuritis improve?
Facial neuritis is the most common disease causing peripheral facial palsy. Most patients reach the peak of their symptoms within one to two weeks and gradually start to recover around two weeks. However, some patients recover more slowly with severe symptoms, and it may take about a month to start improving. Facial neuritis presents as peripheral facial palsy; patients may experience changes or disappearance of forehead wrinkles, eye closure without strength, shallowing of the nasolabial fold, drooping of the mouth corners, and drooling among other clinical presentations. Some patients may also experience taste disorders. In terms of treatment, if there are no contraindications, the use of corticosteroids is advocated in the early stages. (Please medicate under the guidance of a professional physician)
What is the best medicine to take for a stroke?
Stroke mainly includes two major categories. The first category mainly includes ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, with cerebral thrombosis being a representative condition. In cases of stroke caused by cerebral thrombosis, it is recommended to mainly use three types of medications. The first type of medication is antiplatelet drugs, which can inhibit the aggregation of platelets and prevent the reformation of thrombosis. The second type of medication mainly includes statins, which can regulate blood lipids and stabilize atherosclerotic plaques, and also prevent the recurrence of cerebral thrombosis. The third type of medication mainly includes traditional Chinese medicine that promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis, which can improve circulation, and many traditional Chinese medicines are also recommended for use. The second type of stroke is hemorrhagic stroke, mainly caused by hypertension. For hemorrhagic stroke caused by hypertension, it is primarily managed by using antihypertensive drugs to stabilize blood pressure and taking some laxatives.