Can people with cerebral infarction drink alcohol?

Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
Updated on January 03, 2025
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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.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei
Neurosurgery
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Stroke treatment methods

For patients who suffer a stroke, it is crucial to immediately transport them to the nearest local hospital. At the emergency room of the local hospital, a cranial CT scan or MRI should be conducted to confirm the presence of a stroke, as well as to determine its exact range and severity. If there is an acute indication for surgery, thrombolytic therapy is recommended. If the optimal time window for thrombolysis has passed, it is advisable to use medications that invigorate the brain, improve blood flow to remove stasis, nourish the nerves, and enhance microcirculation in the brain tissue. This can effectively help improve the conditions of ischemia and hypoxia in the brain nerves. Furthermore, further treatment should be adjusted based on the patient’s condition. During treatment, attention should be paid to the prevention and treatment of various complications or comorbidities, such as pulmonary infections, urinary tract infections, hypoproteinemia, deep vein thrombosis, etc.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
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What should I do if a cerebral infarction causes vomiting?

Patients with cerebral infarction who experience vomiting must undergo timely relevant examinations. Cerebral infarction typically presents with symptoms such as dizziness, headache, and nausea. The presence of vomiting often accompanies the development of intracranial hypertension. At this time, it is crucial to administer an appropriate mannitol diuresis therapy to reduce intracranial pressure. Prompt use of metoclopramide injection or granisetron injection is also highly necessary, as these can effectively alleviate the symptoms of vomiting. However, it is essential to complete the appropriate examinations to clarify the changes in the intracranial condition. Vomiting caused by cerebellar infarction is relatively normal, but if nausea and vomiting occur elsewhere, it is crucial to determine the specific cause, and sometimes surgical treatment may be necessary. (Please use medications under the guidance of a professional physician; do not self-medicate.)

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Neurosurgery
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Causes of Cerebral Infarction

The specific causes of cerebral infarction are mostly seen in older patients with several underlying diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Over time, without well-controlled blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids, arteriosclerosis can easily form within the blood vessels, or atherosclerotic plaques can develop. Once the plaque forms, under certain triggers, the unstable detachment of the vascular plaque can occur. The embolus then moves with the blood flow into the brain and lodges in a narrowed part of the vessel, causing local blood supply areas to experience narrowing or blockage. At this point, a cerebral infarction is likely to form, leading to ischemia, necrosis, and degeneration of the brain tissue supplied by the vessel, resulting in a softening lesion. On a cranial CT scan and MRI, a local low-density shadow can be observed, which is the specific cause of the cerebral infarction.

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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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Can the blood vessels in a cerebral infarction be unblocked?

Whether the blood vessels in a cerebral infarction can be reopened is closely related to time. If it is within the hyperacute phase, which means within six hours from the onset of clinical symptoms to hospital admission, the majority of cases can undergo thrombolysis intravenously, or arterial thrombectomy to reopen the blood vessels. However, if the time exceeds this window, reopening is no longer feasible, and forced reopening at this stage can easily lead to the detachment of distal thrombi or cause reperfusion injury, which is more detrimental to the patient's condition. Therefore, it is impossible to reopen the blood vessels during the chronic phase or non-hyperacute phase. If treatment of this vascular occlusion is desired, vascular anastomosis can be considered, though the specific type of anastomosis surgery depends on the patient's specific condition at the time. Thus, the possibility of reopening a blood vessel in a cerebral infarction certainly depends on timing.