In winter, it seems that everything has entered a state of recuperation, and the body will be prone to "strike" because of the cold.
(Image source: soogif)
For example, stroke, its incidence will rise in winter.
Stroke, often referred to as stroke, is one of the most common cerebrovascular diseases.
Why does stroke become a "Winter Assassin"?
Strokes, whether ischemic or hemorrhagic, end up with similar results – affecting brain function.
Especially in the motor area, the language area, the visual area, when the motor area is damaged, there will be limb weakness or inability to move, such as: sudden instability, numbness of the fingers, weakness.
When language function is impaired, it is difficult to speak.
Although some can speak, most of them say words that have no substantive meaning.
When the department in charge of vision is paralyzed, there will be blackening of the eyes or even the loss of half of the visual field.
Different areas of brain function are damaged, and the manifestations of stroke are also diverse, but more or less will leave different degrees of sequelae.
The more serious manifestation is paralysis, and life cannot take care of itself. Milder ones may also be difficult to speak, difficulty with physical activity, etc. [1].
So, when the body sends out what red flags, we have to be careful about stroke?
1: Look at 1 face - is the face asymmetrical, is there a crooked mouth?
2: Check 2 arms - raise both hands in parallel to see if there is unilateral weakness;
(Listening): Listening to language – having a simple conversation and observing if there is indistinct speech and difficulty in expression.
Any of the three manifestations, as soon as possible to seek medical attention or dial 120, 4.5 hours after the stroke is the "golden rescue period" [2], the earlier the treatment, the greater the likelihood of recovery, the less likely the aftermath.
The brain, the highest command center of the human body, is like a company boss, planning the various activities of employees.
The blood vessels, the logistics department, are responsible for transporting nutrition and oxygen to ensure the normal work of the boss and other departments.
The stroke occurred because the logistics department had a problem!
When the blood vessels, because they are not maintained for many years, under the action of staying up late, smoking, drinking alcohol, and high-fat diet, a large amount of "garbage" is accumulated inside, forming atherosclerotic plaques.
As a result, the normal transport function of blood vessels is blocked, nutrients and oxygen are not delivered in place, the brain cannot work properly, and ischemic stroke may occur.
In addition to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques by the blood vessels themselves, once the blood clots in the heart, lower limbs, etc. fall off and move to the brain along the blood flow, they will set up roadblocks in the small blood vessels in the brain to form embolism.
There is also a type of hemorrhagic stroke, usually caused by high blood pressure.
When a blood vessel is under a load several times larger than normal for a long time, or when the blood vessel is inherently fragile, the blood vessel may be overwhelmed, exhausted, and eventually ruptured.
If first aid after stroke is "to make up for the dead", then the prevention of stroke is "precautionary".
1. Stay away from the "three highs", listen to the doctor's words, and standardize treatment
Studies have shown that for every 10 mm Hg increase in systolic blood pressure (high pressure) in Asian populations, the risk of stroke increases by 53%. Hyperlipidemia and diabetes are also known important risk factors for stroke [3].
If you have high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and diabetes, you must listen to the doctor's words, standardize treatment, and do not take it lightly because there are no symptoms for the time being.
2. Stay away from tobacco and alcohol, live a life of indulgence, and eventually health first
A domestic cohort study of 500,000 people found that smoking increased the risk of atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease in urban male smokers by 63 percent [4].
The relationship between alcohol consumption and stroke risk is still being studied, but it is certain that heavy drinking increases stroke risk [5].
3. Eat a reasonable diet, exercise in moderation, and protect your health
Balanced nutrition and moderate physical activity are the goalkeepers of good health, away from stroke, starting with a healthy life.
4. Regular physical examinations for yourself and your family, once a year, are indispensable
The preventive physical examination of stroke is mainly for screening for risk factors, and you can go to a regular hospital to hang up a neurology number or a special physical examination center, which mainly includes the following items:
a) General items: BMI (body mass index), blood pressure, blood glucose, blood lipid test.
b) Cerebrovascular ultrasound + carotid ultrasound: screen cerebral blood vessels and cervical blood vessels for stenosis and limited blood supply.
c) Electrocardiogram and echocardiogram: useful for detecting atrial fibrillation and other types of heart disease. Because patients with atrial fibrillation are often accompanied by thrombosis. Once the atrial thrombus is detached, it may flow along the bloodstream, eventually blocking the blood vessels in the brain, resulting in ischemic stroke.
Patients with a history of ischemic stroke should be treated as prescribed in addition to controlling for these risk factors [6].
Safe and healthy, life can withstand the storm on the way forward
Special Author: Xiao Xueyan
Doctoral student of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
bibliography
[1] Ferro JM, Caeiro L, Figueira ML. Neuropsychiatric sequelae of stroke. Nat Rev Neurol. 2016;12(5):269-280.
[2] Chinese Expert Consensus on Emergency Emergency Response for Acute Ischemic Stroke 2018 Edition[J].Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases,2019,19(04):287-291.
National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China. Chinese Guidelines for Stroke Prevention and Control[R], 2021.
[4] Zhao D, Liu J, Wang M, Zhang X, Zhou M. Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease in China: current features and implications. Nat Rev Cardiol. 2019;16(4):203-212
[5] Reynolds K, Lewis B, Nolen JD, Kinney GL, Sathya B, He J. Alcohol consumption and risk of stroke: a meta-analysis [published correction appears in JAMA. 2003 Jun 4;289(21):2798. Lewis, Brian L [corrected to Lewis, Brian]]. JAMA. 2003;289(5):579-588.
[6] Chinese Medical Association, Journal of Chinese Medical Association, General Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Editorial Committee of Chinese Journal of General Practitioners of Chinese Medical Association, Expert Group for the Preparation of Primary Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines for Neurological Diseases. Guidelines for the primary diagnosis and treatment of ischemic stroke (Practice Edition, 2021)[J].Chinese Journal of General Practitioners,2021,20(09):947-958.
Editors: Guo Qian, Zhao Yanan, Zhang Liang
Illustrator: Kishi Chi | Proofreading: Wu Yihe | Typesetting: Li Yongmin
Operation: Han Ningning | Coordinator: Wu Wei