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How does blood clot cause cerebral ischemia? These hidden risks cannot be ignored!
Cerebral ischemia is a condition in which the brain does not receive adequate blood flow to meet its metabolic needs. This results in insufficient oxygen supply or brain hypoxia, which may eventually cause brain tissue death or cerebral infarction/ischemic stroke. It is a subtype of stroke, along with subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral hemorrhage. The resulting metabolic changes, energy crisis and various symptoms make this disease not to be underestimated.
"If cerebral ischemia is not treated in time, it will not only lead to functional failure, but may even cause permanent damage."
Types and symptoms of ischemia
Ischemia can be divided into ectopic ischemia and global cerebral ischemia. Heterotopic ischemia affects only a specific area of the brain, whereas global ischemia affects a wide range of brain tissue. The main symptoms associated with ischemia include visual disturbances, imbalanced limb movements, and speech disorders. Specific manifestations may be unilateral vision loss, limb weakness or difficulty coordinating movements. If these initial symptoms are not treated properly, they may persist or even worsen into permanent damage.
"Lack of blood flow for more than ten seconds will cause unconsciousness, while a lack of oxygen for several minutes can irreversibly damage the brain."
Causes of cerebral ischemia
There are many causes of cerebral ischemia, including congenital heart defects, blood clots, and arteriosclerosis. These factors can constrict blood flow, ultimately leading to serious consequences. Take sickle cell disease, for example, a disorder that causes abnormally shaped red blood cells, which can cause blood flow obstruction. In addition, tumors and irregular heartbeats may also interrupt blood supply to the brain.
“Terminally ill patients may experience vascular depression from persistent lack of blood flow, which is indicative of a deeper problem within the brain.”
Pathophysiology of ischemia
When the brain is deprived of blood, the loss of oxygen and other essential substances prevents the brain from carrying out normal metabolism. Due to the lack of energy source, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) rapidly drops to almost zero, making it difficult for nerve cells to maintain the electrochemical gradient and triggering a series of destructive reactions such as activation of potassium channels and release of glutamate.
Diagnostic Methods
For the diagnosis of cerebral ischemia, the medical community usually divides "stroke" into three categories: ischemic stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral hemorrhage. Ischemic stroke can be further divided into thrombotic, vascular embolic, and hypoperfusion types.
Treatment methods
After acute ischemic stroke, timely use of alteplase (t-PA) can significantly improve the prognosis. In addition, supportive care to maintain terminal cerebral perfusion is very important. In some cases, surgery or anticoagulation may be necessary to prevent further ischemic events.
Current Research Status
Recent research has focused on the possibility that therapeutic hypothermia could improve outcomes following cerebral ischemia, although evidence for its effectiveness is currently limited. It is worth noting that the symptoms of brain hypoxia are somewhat similar to ischemia, but it is mainly caused by insufficient oxygen supply.
So, how should we pay attention to reducing the potential risks of cerebral ischemia in our daily lives?
