What is cerebral infarction and what causes it?

According to survey statistics from authoritative organizations, there are currently 2.5 million new cases of cerebral infarction in China each year, and 1.5 million patients die from cerebral infarction each year nationwide. If we look at the world as a whole, 5.7 million patients die from cerebral infarction each year. The huge number of patients has attracted the attention of more and more people. So what is cerebral infarction?

1. Cerebral infarction (cerebral infarction, cerebral infarction, ischemic stroke): Cerebral infarction is the destruction of brain tissue in the corresponding part after cerebral artery obstruction, which may be accompanied by bleeding. The pathogenesis is thrombosis or embolism, and the nature of the symptoms varies depending on the blood vessels affected by the lesions. Cerebral infarction accounts for 70% to 80% of all strokes.

2. Cause: Cerebral infarction is caused by a sudden decrease or cessation of blood flow in the local blood supply arteries of the brain tissue, resulting in ischemia and hypoxia of the brain tissue in the blood vessel supply area, leading to necrosis and softening of the brain tissue, accompanied by clinical symptoms and signs in the corresponding parts of the body, such as hemiplegia, aphasia and other symptoms of neurological dysfunction.

3. Main factors: hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, overweight, hyperlipidemia, preference for fatty meat, many patients have a family history. It is more common in middle-aged and elderly people aged 45 to 70.

4. Clinical symptoms: The clinical symptoms of cerebral infarction are relatively complex. They are related to the site of brain damage, the size of ischemic blood vessels in the brain, the severity of ischemia, the presence or absence of other diseases before the onset of the disease, and the presence or absence of other important organ diseases. In mild cases, there may be no symptoms at all, that is, asymptomatic cerebral infarction; it may also manifest as recurrent limb paralysis or dizziness, that is, transient ischemic attack; in severe cases, there may not only be limb paralysis, but even acute coma and death. If the lesion affects the cerebral cortex, epileptic seizures may occur in the acute phase of cerebrovascular disease, with the highest incidence rate within 1 day after the onset of the disease. Cerebrovascular disease with epilepsy as the first onset is rare.

5. Treatment:

Patients with this disease should pay attention to the treatment of hypertension, especially those with a history of lacunar infarction, who need to prevent recurrence. At the same time, care should be taken not to reduce blood pressure too quickly.

(1) Acute phase

The principle is to improve blood circulation in the ischemic area of ​​the brain as soon as possible and promote recovery of neurological function.

(2) Recovery period

Continue to strengthen the functional training of paralyzed limbs and speech functions. In addition to medication, physical therapy, body therapy, acupuncture, functional foods, etc. can be used in combination.