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In our daily life, cerebrovascular diseases have always been a major killer of middle-aged and elderly people. Cerebral infarction, commonly known as "cerebral infarction", is caused by the sudden blockage of cerebral blood vessels, resulting in ischemia and hypoxia of brain tissue.
Many people don't know that before cerebral infarction, the body actually has some "hints". If these hints are ignored, the consequences are dire.
The importance and urgency of cerebral infarction
Cerebral infarction often occurs suddenly, but that doesn't mean it's without warning. According to the World Health Organization, millions of people lose their lives or incapacity to work due to cerebral infarction every year.
This condition is especially common in adults over the age of 35, especially in stressful, irregular lifestyles. It is important to know the precursors of cerebral infarction and take timely preventive measures.
Precursor signals of cerebral infarction
Let's take a look at the precursors of cerebral infarction that should not be overlooked. The three most typical signs include sudden slurred speech, weakness or numbness in one limb, and a crooked face. These symptoms can occur suddenly within a few minutes and can even lead to complete disability in severe cases.
Visual abnormalities are also a sign that should not be ignored. Some people have sudden blurred vision or loss of visual field before a cerebral infarction. This is because the area of the brain responsible for vision is affected.
Cognitive and behavioral changes, which are probably the most overlooked signals. These symptoms include memory impairment, confusion, and impaired judgment, and many times these symptoms are mistaken for early manifestations of Alzheimer's disease, ignoring the possibility of cerebral infarction.
An usually shrewd and capable old man suddenly forgets how to get home, or begins to have difficulty understanding, these may be "hints" of cerebral infarction.
Risk factors and lifestyle modifications
Knowing the precursors of cerebral infarction, we also need to understand what factors increase the risk of cerebral infarction. People with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, long-term smoking, and a family history of cerebrovascular disease are at high risk of cerebral infarction.
All of these factors can cause damage to blood vessels and increase the likelihood of blood vessel blockages.
In the face of these risk factors, positive lifestyle adjustments are even more important. Quitting smoking is the first step, and many of the harmful substances in tobacco have been shown to be the main culprits in vascular disease.
A reasonable diet cannot be ignored, eating more fish, fresh vegetables and fruits rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and avoiding high-fat, high-salt foods can effectively reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, thereby reducing the risk of cerebral infarction.
Regular physical activity is also essential. Even a simple walk or 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day can significantly improve cardiovascular health and enhance the elasticity and permeability of blood vessels.
The impact of mental health in the prevention of cerebral infarction cannot be ignored either. Long-term stress and anxiety can cause the body to release too many stress hormones, which can cause damage to the walls of blood vessels and increase the risk of blood clots.
Learning to manage stress effectively and regulating your mental state through meditation, yoga or other relaxation techniques can also have a positive effect on the prevention of cerebral infarction.
Emergency treatment: the golden time for treatment of cerebral infarction
In the treatment of cerebral infarction, time is the brain cell. The first 4.5 hours after the onset of symptoms is considered the golden time to be treated, and receiving appropriate medical intervention during this time can greatly increase the chances of recovery and reduce permanent damage.
At this critical juncture, the most commonly used treatment is intravenous thrombolytic therapy, which injects tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to dissolve blood clots that are blocking blood vessels, restore blood flow, and reduce brain tissue damage.
Emergency treatment is not limited to hospitals. In fact, the initial response of families and bystanders is just as important. As soon as a precursor to cerebral infarction is detected, it is crucial to call the emergency services and provide an accurate description of the condition.
Until the ambulance arrives, keep the patient calm and avoid giving the patient water or food, as swallowing may be impaired, increasing the risk of aspiration.
Preventive measures: a lifelong pursuit of health
Although cerebral infarction can be controlled to some extent with first aid and rehabilitation, it is ideal to prevent it from occurring. Measures to prevent cerebral infarction should be a lifelong health pursuit for everyone.
This includes maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, controlling weight, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol. Effective management of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol is also key to preventing cerebral infarction.
Regular health check-ups enable early detection of potential risk factors and appropriate intervention through professional advice from doctors. It is also important to know the family history, as genetic factors play a role in many cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
If there is a family history of cerebral infarction or other vascular disease, appropriate genetic and lifestyle evaluation can be very helpful in developing individualized prevention strategies.
As a serious health threat, cerebral infarction requires the joint efforts of all sectors of society to combat it. From quick and effective emergency management to comprehensive recovery support, to in-depth preventive measures and ongoing patient education, every step counts.
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