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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
How to relieve neuralgia
Firstly, symptomatic treatment can be administered to patients. Medications for treating neuralgia mainly include tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants, and serotonin reuptake inhibitors may also be effective. These medications should be taken under the advice of a doctor when necessary to help alleviate pain. Secondly, localized block treatment can also achieve certain clinical effects. Thirdly, it is crucial to identify the cause of the neuralgia and treat it accordingly. For example, if a patient’s neuralgia is caused by optic neuromyelitis, corticosteroids should be used; if it is due to herpes zoster virus infection, antiviral medications are required.
What are the symptoms of encephalitis?
The clinical manifestations of encephalitis are complex and varied, primarily caused by infections from pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. There are numerous clinical symptoms, with fever being quite common; patients generally exhibit significant fevers, which can reach up to 38 degrees Celsius or even as high as 40 degrees Celsius. Headache is also a very common clinical manifestation of encephalitis, with some patients experiencing severe headaches accompanied by pronounced nausea and vomiting. Additionally, some patients may exhibit psychiatric symptoms, which mainly include incoherent speech, hallucinations, and failing to recognize family members. Some patients may experience cognitive impairments, such as diminished memory, and significant deficits in computational and judgment abilities. In severe cases, some patients may have epileptic seizures, characterized by convulsions of the limbs. Overall, the manifestations of encephalitis are diverse and can range from simple fever and headache to severe conditions such as psychiatric symptoms, cognitive impairments, and epilepsy.
What is myasthenia gravis?
Myasthenia gravis is a group of neuromuscular junction disorders and is also an autoimmune disease of the nervous system. It primarily involves the production of certain antibodies in the body that attack the acetylcholine receptors on the postsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction. This results in the inability of nerve impulses to be effectively transmitted to the muscles, causing the muscles to lose neural control, leading to weakness of the limbs. This weakness is typically more pronounced in the evening than in the morning, with symptoms being lighter upon waking and worsening in the afternoon. As the disease is caused by an autoimmune response, a major focus of treatment is to suppress this abnormal immune reaction, primarily through the administration of corticosteroids. Additionally, many patients with myasthenia gravis also exhibit thymus abnormalities, necessitating thorough CT examinations of the thymus.
Differentiation between subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral hemorrhage
Subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral hemorrhage, though both involve bleeding, have different mechanisms of onset. The first distinction is that cerebral hemorrhage is generally caused by hypertension. Hypertension leads to hyaline degeneration and fibrinoid necrosis of arteries, resulting in bleeding. In contrast, the most common cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage is an aneurysm, which may be related to factors such as smoking and congenital developmental abnormalities. In terms of clinical presentation, cerebral hemorrhage has a sudden onset, with symptoms of headache, nausea, vomiting, but also includes impairments in language functions, and signs of neurological deficits such as limb paralysis. Subarachnoid hemorrhage, on the other hand, typically involves very severe pain, usually without manifestations such as limb paralysis. Furthermore, from a radiological perspective on CT imaging, cerebral hemorrhage is mainly located in the brain parenchyma, while subarachnoid hemorrhage mainly indicates that the site of bleeding is in the subarachnoid space.
Can senile dementia be cured?
Dementia in the elderly is a clinical syndrome caused by the irreversible death of neurons. So far, the mechanism of the disease is not particularly clear, making it very difficult to cure dementia completely. However, there are some corresponding treatment methods that can delay the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life of patients as much as possible. These treatments mainly include exercise therapy, which involves getting patients to participate in appropriate physical activities that can promote cognitive development. In addition, letting patients listen to music more often, interact more with others, and continue learning can also delay the progression of aging. Furthermore, there are some medications that can improve the symptoms of dementia. Currently, the most commonly used worldwide are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, which can increase the levels of acetylcholine and thereby improve cognitive function to some extent and slow the progression of the disease. Additionally, if elderly individuals exhibit some psychiatric symptoms, they can also be given some atypical antipsychotic medications to alleviate the condition.
Can a stroke be cured?
Stroke is mainly divided into ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke, also known as cerebral thrombosis, can benefit many patients if they can reach a hospital quickly and receive intravenous thrombolysis within the time window, such as within 4.5 hours, leaving them with only mild neurological deficits followed by proper rehabilitation training. Some patients can be cured. However, if the stroke is severe from the onset, resulting in complete paralysis or even consciousness disorders such as drowsiness, stupor, or coma, the treatment outcomes can be significantly less effective, potentially leaving some degree of disability. Generally speaking, whether a stroke can be cured depends closely on the initial severity of the stroke, the overall condition of the patient, and the timeliness of the treatment. Some conscious patients who receive timely treatment can be cured, whereas those with severe conditions typically suffer from long-term complications.
Can migraine be treated with hot compress?
Patients with migraines are not advised to use heat compresses, as the heat may promote the dilation of blood vessels both inside and outside the skull, possibly worsening the migraine or even triggering an attack. Some people may experience migraines when taking hot baths, which is based on the same principle. Migraines are primarily caused by a dysfunction in the constriction and dilation of blood vessels, resulting in severe pain that is typically moderate to severe in intensity. The pain may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, a pulsing sensation in the blood vessels, and clinical symptoms such as photophobia (sensitivity to light) and phonophobia (sensitivity to sound). In terms of treatment, it is important to rest and provide the patient with a quiet environment, free from loud noises and bright lights. Appropriate pain relief medications should be taken, and if nausea and vomiting occur, antiemetic medications should be administered as well. Most symptoms will quickly subside, but it is important to focus on prevention.
Myasthenia gravis should not use what medicine?
Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular junction disease in neurology, primarily due to some synaptic dysfunction, leading to pathological fatigue and general weakness in patients. Patients with myasthenia gravis often experience exacerbation of the disease due to fatigue or infection, and certain medications can severely affect synaptic function, worsening the condition, and are therefore not to be used. The medications to avoid mainly include the following types: The first type is aminoglycoside antibiotics, which can exacerbate the transmission at the neuromuscular junction. Second, quinolone antibiotics should also be avoided as much as possible. Third, some antiarrhythmic drugs can also decrease the excitability of the fascia and are not recommended. Additionally, some drugs like morphine, benzodiazepines, and receptor blockers should also be contraindicated or used with caution.
How long is the recovery period for optic neuritis?
Optic neuritis is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Besides affecting the optic nerve and causing a decrease in vision, it also impacts the brain's white matter and the spinal cord, leading to symptoms such as limb paralysis, numbness, and bladder and bowel dysfunction. Generally, the recovery period for optic neuritis is about six months, with the first three months being the most critical for recovery. If recovery has not occurred by six months, it is then considered a chronic phase, and further recovery becomes very challenging. It is crucial to diagnose and treat the condition promptly. Treatment primarily involves the use of corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, and potentially B-group vitamins to nourish the nerves. Overall, most patients with optic neuritis can recover substantially; however, the condition is prone to relapse, and the prognosis is poor if it reoccurs.
How is myasthenia gravis diagnosed?
Myasthenia gravis is essentially an immunoreactive disease in neurology, primarily caused by immune dysfunction in the body, leading to the production of autoantibodies. These antibodies attack the acetylcholine receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, resulting in corresponding clinical symptoms such as ptosis, diplopia, and general fatigue. The examination of myasthenia gravis mainly includes the following aspects: first, the completion of the Tensilon test, and if the test is positive, myasthenia gravis should be considered; second, the examination should include repetitive nerve stimulation electromyography, and if there is a significant decrement in wave amplitude, this disease should be considered; third, relevant blood tests should be conducted, mainly to check for acetylcholine receptor antibodies, as positive results for these antibodies are important in supporting this diagnosis.