What medicine to take for a stroke?

Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
Updated on March 03, 2025
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Stroke includes ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke, also known as cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage. The medications used for these two diseases differ, so it is essential to identify which type of disease it is. When symptoms occur, such as slurred speech, limb weakness, or other symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately. Perform a cranial CT scan first to rule out bleeding, and then consider cerebral infarction. If it is a cerebral infarction, thrombolytic therapy can be administered within 4.5 hours of the acute phase, followed by hospital treatment. During the acute phase of a cerebral hemorrhage, the decision on whether to proceed with surgery depends on the amount of bleeding. Regardless of the situation, these conditions are often underpinned by several underlying diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia, along with other risk factors. Therefore, medication needs to be personalized, and it is also necessary to check for any contraindications to determine what medication to use. (Medication use should be guided by a professional doctor.)

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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The treatment goals in the early stage of stroke

Stroke includes hemorrhagic and ischemic types. Whether it is hemorrhagic or ischemic, hospitalization is necessary during the acute phase. Depending on the patient's condition, if it is hemorrhagic, the amount of bleeding should be considered to decide whether to opt for surgical treatment or conservative treatment. If it is ischemic, and the treatment is initiated within the therapeutic time window, that is within 4.5 hours, thrombolytic therapy can be administered, which may potentially reverse the symptoms of the stroke. If the time window is missed, then conservative treatment is required. Acute cerebral infarction in its acute phase can potentially worsen, so the primary goal of acute phase treatment is to stabilize the condition. After stabilization, rehabilitation and physical therapy can gradually improve the patient's symptoms.

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Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
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The difference between stroke and cerebral infarction

Stroke includes ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke refers to cerebral infarction, while hemorrhagic stroke refers to cerebral hemorrhage. Symptoms such as limb weakness, slurred speech, or other neurological deficits should initially suggest the possibility of a stroke. Whether it is an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke may be related to the symptoms, but a CT scan is essential. If a CT scan rules out cerebral hemorrhage, then cerebral infarction is more likely. The treatment varies with time; within 4.5 hours, if the conditions for thrombolytic therapy are met and there are no contraindications, and the relatives have signed an informed consent, thrombolytic treatment can be administered. If this time window is exceeded, this opportunity is lost, so it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately upon symptom onset.

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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 Sheng Wang
Neurology
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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.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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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.