What does a stroke cause?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on November 11, 2024
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Stroke primarily causes neurological deficits such as limb paralysis in patients. This paralysis is typically hemiplegic, where one side of the body lacks strength, the affected limbs cannot walk, and the upper limbs cannot be lifted. Stroke can also cause numbness in the limbs. Patients may experience reduced pain and temperature sensation on one side of the body, unable to feel pain or temperature. Additionally, stroke can lead to headaches and symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, commonly seen in hemorrhagic strokes, such as cerebral hemorrhage. Furthermore, strokes in specific brain areas like the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, and hippocampus can cause cognitive impairments. Patients become slow to react, have significantly reduced learning and memory capabilities, and their ability to perform daily activities and work is noticeably affected. Strokes can also cause unclear speech, where patients have difficulties in expressing themselves verbally and may even be unable to understand conversations.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 20sec home-news-image

What medicine is used for stroke?

Stroke primarily refers to cerebrovascular disease, which is divided into two main categories. The first category is hemorrhagic stroke, including cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and other diseases. The second category is ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, including cerebral thrombosis, cerebral embolism, and other diseases. Thus, although both categories are classified as stroke, the medications used are different. For cerebral hemorrhage, the patient needs to rest in bed and must strictly control blood pressure, primarily using medications that strictly control blood pressure. There are no special oral medications, but intravenous medications can be given to protect brain nerves. If intracranial pressure is high, some dehydrating and intracranial pressure-reducing medications can be administered. For ischemic stroke, such as cerebral thrombosis, it is crucial to get to the hospital quickly. If it is within the thrombolytic time window, intravenous thrombolytic drugs can be administered for treatment, from which many patients may benefit. Additionally, it is necessary to take long-term medications that prevent platelet aggregation and regulate blood lipids, as well as stabilize arterial atherosclerotic plaques.

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Written by Tang Ying
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
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The soft paralysis phase of a stroke refers to a few weeks after the onset.

The recovery of stroke patients is generally divided into four phases: the flaccid phase, also known as the hypotonic phase, the spastic phase, the recovery phase, and the sequelae phase. The symptoms of the flaccid phase mainly include muscle relaxation, low muscle tone, and lack of autonomous movement. The majority of patients maintain the flaccid phase for about one to three weeks, and depending on the individual's condition, they generally begin to enter the spastic phase after one to three weeks. A small portion of patients with severe conditions and poor initiative, who have not undergone formal rehabilitation training, may extend their flaccid phase to more than a month or even longer. Therefore, receiving early formal rehabilitation training to improve muscle strength and spasticity treatment can allow patients to smoothly transition through the flaccid phase and gradually enter the spastic phase. Good management of spasticity is even more beneficial for the patient’s recovery. Rehabilitation training can help stroke patients recover sooner and faster.

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Written by Tang Ying
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
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Principles of Stroke Rehabilitation Treatment

Principles of stroke rehabilitation treatment. First is the issue of timing; it is crucial to choose the appropriate time for rehabilitation intervention. Rehabilitation treatment should start as early as possible when the patient's condition is stable. Secondly, rehabilitation assessment, also known as rehabilitation evaluation, should be performed throughout the treatment process. This allows for comparability before and after treatment, clarifying the treatment results for the patient and determining if there is a need to modify the treatment plan during the process. Thirdly, it is essential to have rehabilitation treatment goals and plans. Based on assessments, short-term and long-term rehabilitation plans must be developed for the patient to achieve certain rehabilitation objectives. Fourth, the principle of gradual progression must be adhered to in rehabilitation treatment. It should not be rushed, and active participation from both the patient and their family members is crucial, incorporating daily life and exercise opportunities. Fifth, rehabilitation treatment primarily involves comprehensive therapy, which includes physical exercise, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and traditional rehabilitation treatments such as acupuncture and moxibustion, as well as psychological therapy, rehabilitation engineering, and assistive devices. Sixth, conventional pharmacological treatments and necessary surgical interventions are involved. These include essential medications that must be used, and when rehabilitation methods alone cannot restore function, appropriate medical advice from relevant departments should be considered, and surgical treatment may be needed to assist the patient in better recovery.

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Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
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Precautions for Stroke Patients Using Mannitol

Patients with stroke, if experiencing cerebral hemorrhage, extensive cerebral infarction, or cerebral embolism, can develop cerebral edema. In such cases, it is necessary to use mannitol for dehydration to reduce intracranial pressure. Therefore, it is crucial to strictly determine the appropriate indications. For patients with cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral embolism, or extensive cerebral infarction, the peak period of cerebral edema generally occurs between five to seven days, during which time mannitol should be used to lower intracranial pressure. If the acute phase has passed, then there is no need to use mannitol. For some patients, using mannitol weeks later not only lacks therapeutic effect, it might even worsen the condition. Additionally, when using mannitol, it is important to monitor the patient's renal function. In patients with renal insufficiency, the use of mannitol may exacerbate renal damage, so monitoring changes in renal function is essential. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Chao Jin Zi
Neurorehabilitation
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Basic Principles of Stroke Rehabilitation Treatment

There are several key principles for stroke rehabilitation. The first emphasizes that rehabilitation should start as early as possible. In cases of ischemic stroke, generally when the patient is conscious and vital signs are stable, rehabilitation can begin after 48 hours. For patients with high blood pressure or cerebral hemorrhage, it is generally recommended to start rehabilitation after seven days. The second principle emphasizes the active participation of the patient, encouraging patients to actively engage in rehabilitation training and communicate with therapists to achieve functional improvement. The third point emphasizes comprehensive rehabilitation; stroke patients often have issues in multiple areas such as language, cognition, swallowing, limb movement, and functional balance, so it is suggested that patients undergo comprehensive rehabilitation rather than focusing on just one aspect. The fourth point stresses the continuity of rehabilitation, as rehabilitation therapy is an ongoing process.