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Cerebral infarction
Can lacunar infarction recur?
Lacunar stroke is a common disease in clinical practice, mainly caused by the blockage of capillaries in the brain, leading to the necrosis of some brain cells. Lacunar strokes often occur in middle-aged and elderly people over the age of 50. The main causes of lacunar stroke are hyperlipidemia and abnormal blood components, such as high blood sugar, high blood lipids, and high blood viscosity. At the same time, there is concurrent cerebral arteriosclerosis. The occurrence of lacunar stroke indicates that the degree of arterial sclerosis has reached a certain level, hence the recurrence rate of lacunar stroke in clinical practice is relatively high. Once a lacunar stroke occurs, it is recommended that patients take statins to lower blood lipids and medications like aspirin to prevent cerebral vascular blockage, to prevent further incidents.
How should aspirin be taken for cerebral infarction?
Aspirin should be taken for cerebral infarction. It can be used not only during the acute phase of cerebral infarction but also for secondary prevention treatment. If a patient suffers a cerebral infarction, thrombolytic interventional surgery can be conducted during the acute phase window. If the patient has missed the time for surgery, then choosing antiplatelet drugs like aspirin and clopidogrel, along with atorvastatin for lipid regulation and stabilizing plaques, is advisable. A follow-up CT should be done dynamically, and changes in the patient's consciousness and pupils should be monitored.
A stroke belongs to the neurology department.
Stroke is generally categorized under neurology. When a stroke occurs, it is crucial to take the patient to the local hospital immediately for treatment assessed by a neurologist. Typically, during the acute phase, thrombolytic therapy is utilized for treatment if the conditions for surgery are met. If the thrombolysis window is missed, it is recommended to administer intravenous drips to the patient to nourish the brain, improve blood circulation, and provide nutrients to the nerves. It is important to monitor the patient’s condition, and during treatment, dynamic re-examination of the head CT or MRI is necessary to determine the location, extent, and severity of the stroke, and to timely adjust the treatment plan.
Can lacunar infarction be treated?
Lacunar stroke, also known as lacunar infarction, refers to a type of brain infarction where the diameter of the affected area ranges from 2 millimeters to 15 millimeters. It is treatable, typically caused by atherosclerosis of cerebral arteries leading to ischemia and hypoxia in small capillaries, and subsequently, localized tissue necrosis. These usually occur more frequently beneath the cortical layer of brain tissue, as this area has a dense distribution of small blood vessels and is thus more prone to lacunar infarcts. However, if a lacunar infarct occurs in critical areas such as the thalamus, brainstem, basal ganglia, internal capsule, or the limbs and knee regions within the internal capsule, it can lead to a variety of clinical symptoms. The range and types of these clinical symptoms are diverse, including pure sensory, pure motor, mixed sensorimotor numbness in limbs, and issues with peripheral circulation. Though generally, treatment is relatively quick and straightforward, delays in treatment could lead to more severe clinical symptoms.
What is the best treatment for cerebral infarction?
In the treatment of cerebral infarction, there is no best option, only the most suitable one based on the different conditions at the time. Generally speaking, there are several major aspects. First, it is necessary to improve cerebral circulation. One method is thrombolysis, and another is interventional treatment. One of these two approaches is chosen depending on the specific conditions, including corresponding contraindications and indications. Next, treatments can include antiplatelet aggregation, anticoagulation, fibrinolytic therapy, volume expansion, vasodilation, and improving cerebral blood circulation. Furthermore, there is neuroprotective treatment and other therapies like hyperbaric oxygen and hypothermia. Another major category is general management, which, in addition to symptomatic treatment, includes life support such as oxygenation, cardiac monitoring, managing cardiac complications, temperature control, blood pressure control, blood sugar control, and nutritional support. Additionally, there is treatment for acute-phase complications such as cerebral edema, epilepsy, swallowing difficulties, pneumonia, urinary retention and infection, and deep vein thrombosis. Finally, there is early rehabilitation therapy. After a stroke, in a stable condition, it is important to engage in activities such as sitting, standing, and walking as much as possible, and to focus on rehabilitation training in speech, movement, psychology, and other aspects, aiming to quickly restore the ability to perform daily activities independently.
Causes of Cerebral Infarction
The first reason is due to arteriosclerosis. Under the influence of risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, damage occurs to the inner lining of the arteries. A large amount of lipid components are deposited on the arterial walls, eventually forming unstable plaques, leading to the narrowing and even occlusion of the cerebral arteries, thus causing the formation of cerebral thrombosis. The second reason to consider is cardiac causes; if a patient has atrial fibrillation, mural thrombi can form within the heart. These thrombi, once dislodged into the cerebral arteries, can cause cerebral embolism. The third point to note is arterial dissection, which is also a cause of cerebral infarction, and it is relatively common among young people.
The dangers of staying up all night for cerebral infarction
The dangers of staying up late for those with cerebral infarction are significant. Staying up late can easily lead to an increase in blood pressure, which can damage the inner lining of blood vessels, cause cerebral arterial atherosclerosis, and easily lead to ischemic and hypoxic injuries in the brain tissue, resulting in new or aggravated cerebral infarctions. Long-term staying up late can reduce the ejection fraction of the heart, leading to insufficient cerebral blood supply, and easily trigger cerebrovascular diseases. For patients with cerebral infarction, it is generally advised to have regular living habits, avoid staying up late, wake up on time, and also participate in appropriate physical exercise.
Does cerebral infarction require long-term medication?
Patients with cerebral infarction need to take medication long term. Generally, patients with cerebral infarction have underlying diseases such as cerebral arteriosclerosis and hyperlipidemia, or hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia. Therefore, cerebral infarction patients need long-term medication to control blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar. Additionally, they should take antiplatelet drugs to prevent new thrombus formation and drugs to combat arteriosclerosis to prevent the worsening of cerebral arteriosclerosis and cerebral vascular stenosis. The focus of treatment is also on preventing other blood vessels from blocking, which could lead to a recurrence or worsening of cerebral infarction. Thus, patients with cerebral infarction need long-term medication and regular check-ups during the medication period, including blood tests and liver and kidney function tests, to monitor for any drug-induced liver or kidney damage. If no damage is apparent, they generally need to continue taking medication long-term. (Please take medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)
Is lacunar infarction serious?
Lacunar stroke, with diameters ranging from 2mm to 15mm, may appear minor in scale but results from long-term arteriosclerosis of cerebral blood vessels, leading to ischemia and necrosis in surrounding tissues. Clinically, symptoms can manifest as pure sensory, pure motor, mixed-type numbness in limbs, among other symptoms. Symptoms are generally mild and recovery is likely; however, long-term oral antiplatelet medications like aspirin are required. Additionally, stabilizing plaques with statins in combination with other drugs is essential. It's also important to maintain a low-salt, low-fat diet, and manage conditions like hypertension and diabetes. Therefore, its severity is relatively mild compared to extensive strokes.
Can people with cerebral infarction eat eggs?
For patients with cerebral infarction, it is acceptable to eat egg whites. Egg whites contain abundant amino acids which can enhance the body's resistance and ensure adequate nutrition for the patient. For cerebral infarction, it is advisable to consume fewer egg yolks. Additionally, egg yolks have a relatively high cholesterol content, which is not conducive to controlling blood lipids in patients. Thus, egg whites can be consumed, but egg yolks should be eaten in moderation. Moreover, patients with cerebral infarction should also consume plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, which are rich in folic acid and can help fight arteriosclerosis. Additionally, it is beneficial to eat foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as some deep-sea fish and olive oil.