What is the cause of swollen feet after a stroke?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on December 24, 2024
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Patients with cerebral infarction presenting with swollen feet and lower limb edema should be aware of the following reasons. The first scenario is due to reduced activity in the limbs on the paralyzed side, which results in weaker muscle contraction. Consequently, a large amount of blood accumulates in the lower limb veins, causing poor circulation and naturally leading to swollen feet. Therefore, it is crucial for patients to begin early rehabilitation training, engage in muscle massage, and perform passive joint exercises, among other activities. The second scenario that requires close attention is the formation of venous thrombosis in the lower limbs on the paralyzed side after a cerebral infarction. This condition can easily lead to venous thrombosis, which significantly contributes to foot swelling. Furthermore, it increases the risk of pulmonary embolism. It is important to complete routine coagulation tests and d-dimer examinations, as well as comprehensive lower limb venous Doppler ultrasound assessments.

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How should a stroke and a cold be handled?

It is recommended to actively address a cold in cases of cerebral infarction, as most people with cerebral infarction who also have motor disabilities are predominantly bedridden, making them prone to aspiration pneumonia. If a cold is not managed well and develops into pneumonia, it can further aggravate the condition, potentially worsening the perceived motor disabilities if timely functional rehabilitation is not administered, leading to further progression of the illness.

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Is lacunar infarction dangerous?

Lacunar stroke is caused by pathological changes in some small blood vessels inside our skull, due to long-term hypertension or other factors, such as diabetes or immune factors, leading to the occlusion of the vessel lumen and the formation of small infarct lesions. Therefore, when these lesions appear, there may be symptoms, or there may be no symptoms; however, regardless of the situation, the prognosis is generally good. It is also necessary to assess the blood vessels to see if there are any major vascular abnormalities. If major vascular abnormalities are present, it could still be dangerous. If the abnormalities are confined to small vessels, the prognosis is generally good.

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Written by Liu Hong Mei
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The dangers of staying up all night for cerebral infarction

The dangers of staying up late for those with cerebral infarction are significant. Staying up late can easily lead to an increase in blood pressure, which can damage the inner lining of blood vessels, cause cerebral arterial atherosclerosis, and easily lead to ischemic and hypoxic injuries in the brain tissue, resulting in new or aggravated cerebral infarctions. Long-term staying up late can reduce the ejection fraction of the heart, leading to insufficient cerebral blood supply, and easily trigger cerebrovascular diseases. For patients with cerebral infarction, it is generally advised to have regular living habits, avoid staying up late, wake up on time, and also participate in appropriate physical exercise.

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Is lacunar infarction hereditary?

Lacunar stroke is a type of small stroke that occurs within the brain due to the narrowing of small arteries. This narrowing is often caused by long-term hypertension or diabetes, among other risk factors, leading to the obstruction of these vessels. Some patients may not exhibit any symptoms, while others might experience mild symptoms. Regardless of the cause, both hypertension and diabetes have genetic components, suggesting that lacunar strokes are influenced by genetics but are not entirely hereditary. Furthermore, the specific location of a lacunar stroke within the brain determines the symptoms experienced, implying that the condition is not solely genetic but does have genetic factors.

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Causes of Cerebral Infarction

The first reason is due to arteriosclerosis. Under the influence of risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, damage occurs to the inner lining of the arteries. A large amount of lipid components are deposited on the arterial walls, eventually forming unstable plaques, leading to the narrowing and even occlusion of the cerebral arteries, thus causing the formation of cerebral thrombosis. The second reason to consider is cardiac causes; if a patient has atrial fibrillation, mural thrombi can form within the heart. These thrombi, once dislodged into the cerebral arteries, can cause cerebral embolism. The third point to note is arterial dissection, which is also a cause of cerebral infarction, and it is relatively common among young people.