The difference between stroke and cerebral infarction

Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
Updated on September 19, 2024
00:00
00:00

Stroke is divided into hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke involves cerebral hemorrhage, while ischemic stroke involves cerebral infarction. Therefore, the difference is that stroke includes cerebral infarction, which is a type of ischemic stroke. In such cases, it is crucial to seek prompt hospital treatment and examine for risk factors related to cerebrovascular disease. Under the guidance of a doctor, the condition should be stabilized since the acute phase of a cerebral infarction might be unstable and could worsen. Thus, after stabilizing the condition, long-term oral medication will also be necessary to prevent future strokes.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 7sec home-news-image

What is good to eat after a stroke?

Stroke primarily refers to cerebrovascular diseases, among which cerebral infarction has the highest incidence rate. Regarding diet after experiencing a cerebral infarction, it mainly falls into two categories: The first category is medications. If it is a cerebral thrombosis, it is crucial to strictly control blood pressure and blood sugar using appropriate medications. Additionally, it is necessary to take medications to prevent the recurrence of thrombosis. These medications primarily include antiplatelet agents and drugs that regulate blood lipids to stabilize plaques. Furthermore, traditional Chinese medicines that invigorate the blood and remove stasis can also be used. These medicines also help to improve blood circulation. In terms of diet, it is essential to follow a low-salt, low-fat diet, avoid overly greasy foods, and eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits regularly. High-quality proteins should also be included, such as drinking milk and eating beef. Whole grains should not be omitted to ensure a balanced diet and promote recovery.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
53sec home-news-image

Is a stroke a cerebral infarction?

Stroke includes cerebral infarction. Stroke is divided into ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Therefore, ischemic stroke is cerebral infarction, and hemorrhagic stroke is cerebral hemorrhage. Thus, one cannot say it is solely a cerebral infarction; it includes cerebral infarction. If symptoms of stroke appear, such as unclear speech or limb weakness, it might be either hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke. In such cases, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately. For hemorrhagic stroke, one should visit the neurosurgery department, and for ischemic stroke, the neurology department is appropriate. Initially, a CT scan should be performed to make a clear diagnosis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
1min 4sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

Symptoms of stroke vary greatly, and it is crucial to judge based on the circumstances. The symptoms are mainly divided into two major categories: hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke. The most common symptoms of hemorrhagic stroke are severe headaches, projectile vomiting, and the gradual onset of consciousness disorders. Some people might also experience limb numbness, weakness, speech impediments, and other conditions. The most common symptoms of ischemic stroke include dizziness, limb numbness, and speech impediments; sometimes, these symptoms alternate, so it is essential to pay attention to clinical observations and focus on differential diagnosis. There are also other types of symptoms, such as cognitive decline, urinary and fecal incontinence, unstable gait, swallowing difficulties, and coughing while swallowing. Therefore, it is imperative to visit a hospital in a timely manner for testing to clearly understand the specific changes in the patient's condition at that time, thus better facilitating the patient’s recovery.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min home-news-image

What does stroke include?

Stroke, translated from the English word "stroke," refers to rapidly occurring pathological changes. Stroke mainly includes two types of diseases: ischemic cerebrovascular disease and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease, with ischemic cerebrovascular disease being the most common. Ischemic cerebrovascular disease includes large artery atherosclerotic cerebral infarction, small artery occlusive cerebral infarction, as well as cardiogenic cerebral embolism and other causes of cerebral infarction. Hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease mainly includes cerebral hemorrhage caused by hypertension, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and cerebral hemorrhage caused by aneurysms or vascular malformations. The onset of a stroke is very aggressive and can severely threaten the patient's health. Once a stroke is suspected, it is critical to rush to the hospital for appropriate diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and provide the most suitable treatment plan.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Sheng Wang
Neurology
57sec home-news-image

Causes of Dysphagia after Stroke

The causes of dysphagia resulting from a stroke are largely related to the location of the stroke. Dysphagia mainly involves the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves, which are distributed in the medulla oblongata of the brainstem. Therefore, if you have a brainstem stroke, specifically at the medulla oblongata, there is a significant chance of experiencing coughing due to aspiration and dysphagia. If the stroke occurs in a different area, these symptoms are unlikely to appear. A stroke in the cerebral hemisphere, since it has bilateral nerve supply, does not lead to noticeable coughing if only one side is affected. However, if one side is affected this year and the other side next year, similar symptoms of aspiration cough and dysphagia will occur. Therefore, neurologically, the location and specific site of the stroke are crucial, as each location presents different symptoms.