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Secret Signs of Brain Infarction: Do You Know Them?
Cerebral infarction, also called ischemic stroke, is a pathological process that results in the formation of areas of necrotic tissue in the brain (cerebral infarction). Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death in middle- and high-income countries. Because the blood supply is interrupted (ischemia) and the oxygen supply is restricted (hypoxia), brain tissue begins to degenerate and eventually leads to necrosis. Understanding the hidden signs of brain infarction is critical for early identification and treatment.
Brain infarction can occur suddenly within minutes, so everyone should be alert.
Identification of stroke
Stroke can be identified through a variety of screening tests. Common tests include the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS) and the Facial Arm Speech Test (FAST). These tests focus on symptoms such as facial drooping, arm drifting and changes in speech. The eleven signs of stroke are not only related to the patient's life safety, but also indicate the area of the brain affected.
Main symptoms
Typical symptoms of a brain infarction include unilateral weakness, facial paralysis or numbness, vision problems, and difficulty speaking.
Symptoms of a stroke usually appear within minutes and may include balance problems and difficulty walking. If the patient loses consciousness, it may indicate damage to multiple brain areas. If not taken care of properly, the consequences can be serious, so it is crucial to recognize the symptoms promptly.
Risk factors
The main risk factors for cerebral infarction are the same as arteriosclerosis, including hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and dyslipidemia. In addition, age, family history, and race are risk factors that cannot be controlled. The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association recommend that patients control these risk factors to prevent stroke.
Pathophysiology
The fundamental cause of cerebral infarction is interference with blood supply, and prolonged ischemia is enough to cause brain tissue death. Causes of blood supply interruption include thrombus, embolism, etc. If left untreated, it will lead to widespread nerve cell death.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing brain infarction is usually done via a CT scan or MRI. CT scans are easily available and inexpensive at most hospitals and can rule out hemorrhagic stroke. MRI can identify acute cerebral infarction more quickly.
Treatment methods
In the past ten years, the treatment of cerebral infarction has gradually been aligned with the treatment of myocardial infarction, and drugs to extract blood clots have been introduced. Patients traveling to the stroke unit within less than three hours may be considered for intravenous therapy with rtPA. If the brain infarction is caused by a blood clot, the blood clot should be removed with medication or surgery as soon as possible. Early improvement of blood supply increases the success rate of protecting brain cells.
Everyone should know the hidden signs of brain infarction to reduce risks and save lives.
Various therapies such as physical therapy, cognitive therapy, and speech therapy are vital during the treatment process to help patients regain function. By enhancing awareness and reducing morbidity, can the overall health of society be improved?
