Introduction: Cerebral infarction, the name sounds terrifying, also known as ischemic stroke, it is like a killer lurking in the shadows, ready to bring a fatal blow to people's lives.

When the blood supply to the brain is blocked, the harsh environment of ischemia and hypoxia will lead to necrosis or softening of local brain tissue, which is the terrible thing about cerebral infarction.

Did you know that about 4.6 million people in the world suffer from cerebral infarction every year, and in our great motherland, the number is as high as more than 2 million, accounting for half of the world.

Cerebral infarction has become the biggest threat to human life after cancer. But please believe that the appearance of cerebral infarction is not silent, as long as we observe carefully, some subtle changes in life can sound the alarm bell for us.

In the dead of night, when we are immersed in sweet dreams, some body signals are quietly telling us: cerebral infarction may be quietly approaching, and these may be early warning signs that cerebral infarction is imminent.

If we can catch these clues and take timely action, we may be able to strangle cerebral infarction in the cradle and win precious time for our lives.

Why are there more and more patients with cerebral infarction?

Lifestyle changes

Modern society is fast-paced and competitive, and many people are facing huge work pressure and life pressure, in this high-pressure state, people often ignore the health of the body, and bad habits such as irregular diet, lack of exercise, and lack of sleep come into being.

These bad habits can easily lead to obesity, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia and other diseases, which in turn increases the risk of cerebral infarction.

Population ageing

With the improvement of medical standards and people's living conditions, people's life expectancy has been extended, and the proportion of the elderly population has gradually increased.

The elderly are a group with a high incidence of cerebral infarction, and with the increase of age, the blood vessels gradually harden and the elasticity decreases, and the blood vessels are prone to blockage or rupture, resulting in the occurrence of cerebral infarction.

The intensification of environmental pollution

The rapid development of industrialization and urbanization has brought serious environmental pollution problems, and pollutants such as particulate matter and harmful gases in the air are increasing. These pollutants not only cause damage to human health, but may also have adverse effects on cerebral blood vessels and increase the risk of cerebral infarction.

Genetic factors

Studies have found that the occurrence of cerebral infarction is closely related to familial inheritance. Some genetic variants may lead to an individual's increased susceptibility to cerebral infarction, thereby increasing the risk of cerebral infarction.

Poor psychological state

Long-term anxiety, depression, stress and other adverse psychological states can lead to endocrine disorders and decreased immunity, which can easily lead to various diseases, including cerebral infarction. Therefore, maintaining a good state of mind is of great significance for the prevention of cerebral infarction.

Why do cerebral infarctions like to attack at night?

Under the influence of atherosclerosis, the lining of blood vessels gradually becomes rough and uneven, like a winding river channel. This change not only weakens the elasticity of the blood vessel walls, but also provides a place for clotting factors such as platelets to accumulate in the blood.

Over time, these clotting factors gradually accumulate on the intima of blood vessels, forming tiny blood clots, like sand and gravel in a river channel, gradually blocking the otherwise spacious passages, making the arteries and blood vessels narrow or even occluded.

When night falls and people fall asleep, the physical activities continue. During sleep, the body is unable to replenish the water consumed by metabolism in time by drinking water. Especially between 1:00 and 3:00 a.m., when most people are in a deep sleep, blood concentrations are much higher than during the day.

In order not to affect the quality of sleep, many people choose to avoid drinking a lot of water before bedtime, fearing that frequent urination at night will disturb their sweet dreams. However, this practice further exacerbates the lack of water when sleeping at night.

In the case of dehydration, the concentration of clotting factors such as platelets in the blood becomes higher, and the interactions between them become more frequent, which undoubtedly increases the risk of vascular accidents such as cerebral infarction.

Is there a warning of cerebral infarction? Doctor's tip: If these 5 signs appear while sleeping, check them in time

Cerebral infarction, a common cerebrovascular disease, is closely related to our daily life, especially our sleep quality.

Although there is no conclusive scientific evidence that sleep can predict the occurrence of cerebral infarction in advance, countless studies and observations have revealed that some abnormalities in sleep may be inextricably linked to the occurrence of cerebral infarction.

The importance of sleep as a prime time for the human body to repair and regenerate itself is self-evident. And in this quiet night, when most people are immersed in sweet dreams, some people's sleep may hide an unknown crisis, these abnormal sleep signals, may be a silent warning of an impending cerebral infarction.

Frequent yawning

Frequent yawning while sleeping may indeed be related to cerebral infarction, and yawning, a seemingly common physiological phenomenon, can sometimes be a warning signal from the body.

When we yawn frequently during sleep, it can be caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. Cerebral infarction leads to blockage of cerebral blood vessels, so that the brain does not get enough oxygen and nutrients, which in turn leads to hypoxia.

When the brain is deprived of oxygen, nerve reflexes prompt us to yawn in order to inhale more oxygen. Therefore, if frequent yawning persists, especially during sleep, we should pay close attention to it and seek help from a doctor in time.

Outlet water

Drooling while sleeping is not uncommon in daily life and many people may have experienced it. However, when it is associated with a serious health problem such as cerebral infarction, it cannot but attract our attention.

Studies have found that drooling while sleeping may be an early warning sign of cerebral infarction. This is mainly because cerebral infarction affects the nerve control of the face, including the movement of the mouth and tongue. When these nerves are damaged, it can lead to incomplete closure of the mouth, which can lead to drooling while sleeping.

Of course, drooling while sleeping does not necessarily mean cerebral infarction. Other causes, such as oral diseases, misaligned teeth, improper sleeping position, etc., can also contribute to this phenomenon. However, if you are over 40 years old and have high risk factors for cerebral infarction such as high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes, then drooling while sleeping should cause you to be highly vigilant.

Numbness or weakness in half of the body

When a cerebral infarction occurs, certain areas of the brain may be damaged due to a lack of oxygen, which can lead to a range of symptoms. A tingling or weakness in half of the body is one of the manifestations.

This numbness or weakness is usually caused by a cerebral infarction affecting the motor nerve centers of the brain. When these nerve centers are damaged, their control over the body is weakened or lost, leading to paresthesias or movement disorders in the corresponding area.

In addition to numbness or weakness in half of the body, cerebral infarction may also cause other symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, etc.

Sudden, severe headache

Cerebral infarction is caused by a blockage or rupture of blood vessels in the brain, resulting in blood not flowing into the brain normally, so that the brain does not have an adequate blood supply. When the blood vessels in the brain become blocked, the blood supply to the corresponding area is interrupted, resulting in a lack of oxygen and damage to the brain tissue. This lack of oxygen and injury can trigger severe headaches.

This type of headache is usually intense and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, etc., and unlike a normal headache, it is often unbearable and lasts longer.

If the headache is accompanied by other symptoms, such as numbness in half of the body, weakness, slurred speech, etc., then cerebral infarction is more likely.

Transient dark-eyed

Although cerebral infarction is often more associated with health problems in older people, it can also occur in younger people. Therefore, it is very important for people of any age to be aware of the symptoms of cerebral infarction and take precautions accordingly.

Transient darkening of both eyes is a possible sign of cerebral infarction. When this happens, the patient may experience a sudden loss of vision, which can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.

The appearance of this symptom may be due to a blockage of blood vessels in the brain, resulting in insufficient blood supply to the visual center. If this happens, medical help should be sought immediately, as it can be an early symptom of a cerebral infarction.

How to prevent cerebral infarction?

Eat a healthy diet

Maintaining a balanced diet is essential to prevent cerebral infarction. Eat foods rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits and nuts.

At the same time, reduce the intake of foods high in fat, salt and sugar to lower blood pressure and blood lipid levels, thereby reducing the risk of cerebral infarction.

Exercise in moderation

Regular moderate aerobic exercise, such as walking, jogging, swimming, etc., can enhance cardiopulmonary function, promote blood circulation, and reduce the risk of cerebral infarction.

In addition, exercise can also help control weight, lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and further reduce the likelihood of cerebral infarction.

Control alcohol and smoking

Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are both risk factors for cerebral infarction. Smoking damages the endothelium of blood vessels and accelerates the progression of arteriosclerosis, while excessive alcohol consumption increases blood pressure, heart rate, and increases the risk of cerebral infarction. Therefore, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol is an important measure to prevent cerebral infarction.

Regular medical check-ups

Regular physical examinations can detect and control risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus in a timely manner. Once these diseases are detected, standardized treatment should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor to reduce the risk of cerebral infarction.

Psychological adjustment

Maintaining a good state of mind is also important to prevent cerebral infarction. Learn to adjust your emotions and avoid the effects of excessive anxiety, depression and other bad emotions. At the same time, maintaining adequate sleep and regular work and rest can help maintain good health and reduce the risk of cerebral infarction.

Reminder: These 4 foods are the accelerator of cerebral infarction, so try to stay away from them, otherwise the more you eat, the more blocked the blood vessels

High-fat foods

Such foods include fried foods, fast food, fatty meats, and organ meats. Long-term intake of high-fat foods can lead to increased blood lipids, accelerate the process of arteriosclerosis, and increase the risk of cerebral infarction. Therefore, we should try to choose low-fat foods such as lean meats, fish, legumes and vegetables.

High-salt foods

Excessive salt intake can lead to an increase in blood pressure, which increases the risk of cerebral infarction. Therefore, we should try to avoid high-salt foods such as pickled foods, salted fish, salted meat, etc. In addition, we should also pay attention to reducing the amount of salt used, adding condiments in moderation, and keeping the diet light.

High-sugar foods

High-sugar foods can cause blood sugar to rise and increase the risk of diabetes, which is one of the important causes of cerebral infarction. Therefore, we should try to avoid high-sugar foods such as candies, chocolates, sweet drinks, etc. At the same time, we should also pay attention to controlling the intake of staple foods and choose low-sugar foods, such as whole grains, legumes, etc.

Overcooked food too

High-temperature cooking destroys the nutrients in food and produces harmful substances such as acrylamide. These substances may have a negative effect on the health of blood vessels, accelerating the process of hardening of the arteries. Therefore, we should try to choose low-temperature cooking methods, such as steaming, boiling, stewing, etc., to maintain the nutrients and taste of food.

How to give first aid in case of cerebral infarction?

Proper first aid is crucial in the event of an emergency such as a cerebral infarction, which causes a series of serious symptoms due to blockage or rupture of blood vessels in the brain, which prevents the brain from getting the necessary blood supply. For conscious patients, we can perform initial identification through the following three steps:

1. Observe the patient's face

Ask the patient to smile and watch for symmetry of the face and for signs of stiffness or inability to smile on one side of the face. This may be due to dysfunction of the facial muscles due to blockage of blood vessels in the brain.

2. Ask the patient to raise their hands

Pay attention to whether the arms are raised flat, and whether one arm cannot be raised flat or is weak to hang down. This may be due to weakness or loss of limb muscle strength due to cerebral infarction.

3. Ask the patient if he or she has slurred speech or difficulty understanding

Pay attention to whether the patient is fluent in expression, whether there are words that do not convey meaning or cannot understand the speech of others. This may be due to cerebral infarction affecting the language center.

Through the above three-step method, we can preliminarily determine whether the patient may have cerebral infarction. As soon as the patient's symptoms are confirmed, they should call the emergency number and seek medical professional help.

While waiting for the first responders to arrive, we should remain calm, avoid panicking, and try to keep the patient quiet and avoid being overly agitated or nervous.

At the same time, if the patient has vomiting, dyspnea and other emergency conditions, corresponding first aid measures should be taken in time to ensure the safety of the patient's life.