What department should I go to for a cerebral infarction?

Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 25, 2024
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When a patient suffers a stroke, it is advised to promptly visit a local hospital and consult a neurologist to assess the condition. Often, when an acute stroke occurs, treatment can be administered through thrombolysis. If the window for thrombolytic therapy is missed, conservative pharmacological treatment is recommended. Clinically, it is generally recommended to treat patients with medications that enhance brain function, promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis, and nourish the nerves. Patients’ vital signs should be closely monitored, and dynamic reassessment through head CT or MRI should be conducted to observe changes in the patient's condition. In cases of extensive stroke, it may be necessary to transfer the patient to neurosurgery for decompressive craniectomy surgery.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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What location is used for moxibustion in the treatment of cerebral infarction?

For patients with cerebral infarction, it is usually recommended during the acute phase to conduct a cranial MRI to determine the location and severity of the stroke and to decide the next treatment plan. If surgery is indicated, treatment can be administered through intravenous thrombolysis. If surgery is not indicated, or the optimal treatment time has been missed, it is recommended that the patient be hospitalized for treatment. During the acute phase, medications that invigorate the brain and improve blood circulation while nourishing the nerves are administered, and it is important to monitor any changes in the patient's condition. The effectiveness of moxibustion in treating cerebral infarction is generally moderate. During the recovery phase, patients can try moxibustion, but it is generally advised to seek treatment under the guidance of a Traditional Chinese Medicine physician at a reputable tertiary hospital.

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Written by Li Qiang
Intensive Care Unit
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Symptoms of stroke worsened in the elderly

Elderly people who experience a cerebral infarction (stroke) may show several typical symptoms if the condition worsens. Firstly, their speech may suddenly become unclear, accompanied by a slight drooping of the mouth and drooling. Another symptom is difficulty in extending the tongue straight out, as it may not align centrally. Additionally, there may be weakness in the limbs. These symptoms indicate the presence of a new cerebral infarction lesion. In such cases, it is crucial to promptly go to the hospital for a head CT scan or an MRI to determine whether the scope of the stroke has expanded or if a new stroke has occurred.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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Is it good to drink milk after a stroke?

Patients with cerebral infarction can drink milk, but it must be analyzed according to the specific condition at the time because patients with cerebral infarction often experience coma and accompanying dysphagia with coughing. In such cases, drinking milk is not a problem, but attention must be paid to changes in dietary habits. If necessary, a gastric tube must be inserted through the nose into the stomach for feeding to avoid direct oral intake, which can cause coughing, aspiration, and lead to pneumonia. Therefore, this point must be carefully considered. For ordinary people in daily life, a cup of milk a day is a very good choice because milk mainly contains protein and does not contain a lot of fat and sugar. For patients with cerebral infarction, this diet is very ideal. If fresh milk can be used in everyday life, it is more beneficial for promoting the patient's recovery.

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Written by Li Qiang
Intensive Care Unit
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The difference between lacunar infarction and cerebral infarction

Lacunar stroke is a type of cerebral infarction and is considered the mildest form within strokes. Generally, the area affected by a lacunar infarction is very small, so if it is a single incident or there are not many lacunar strokes, it usually does not cause any symptoms. Many middle-aged and elderly people over the age of fifty or sixty who undergo routine CT scans during physical examinations exhibit signs of lacunar stroke on their CT images, yet most of them do not present any clinical symptoms. Therefore, lacunar stroke may only affect brain function and result in symptoms such as speech difficulties, slow reactions, weakened muscle strength in the limbs, or lack of coordination when there are numerous occurrences. Cerebral infarction can include strokes that affect larger areas of the brain, which are much more severe than lacunar strokes. These larger strokes are sufficient to cause clinical symptoms, which may include hemiplegia, drooping of the corner of the mouth and drooling, abnormal limb movements, and even fatal events in cases of extensive cerebral infarction. Thus, lacunar stroke, being a type of cerebral infarction, represents the mildest form of stroke.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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Can people with cerebral infarction drink alcohol?

Patients with cerebral infarction should not drink alcohol. Although alcohol can have certain effects in promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, the specific content of alcohol and its degree, as well as each person's tolerance, vary. While in some cases, certain components can promote blood circulation, this does not mean it always activates blood circulation. In fact, excessive promotion of blood circulation at times can even lead to cerebral hemorrhage and other changes in medical conditions, posing even greater risks to patients. Another point is that drinking alcohol can cause excitement, which may lead to increased blood pressure. If there are plaques or other impurities in the arteries, they might dislodge and lead to further exacerbation of cerebral infarction. Therefore, it is also advised not to drink alcohol for these reasons.