Early in the morning, Aunt Zhang prepared breakfast as usual, and the smell of eggs and bread wafted from the kitchen. Her husband, Uncle Wang, suddenly felt a splitting headache and fell to the ground, making the warm morning extremely tense.
Aunt Zhang immediately dialed 120, but she was extremely anxious: if she had learned about cerebral hemorrhage earlier, she might be able to better help Uncle Wang.
1. Intracerebral hemorrhage and high-risk groups
Intracerebral hemorrhage may not be unfamiliar to many families, especially those with middle-aged and elderly people. It refers to the sudden, non-traumatic hemorrhage inside the brain, which often occurs quickly and dangerously, and is likely to inadvertently take a person's life or cause permanent disability.
According to statistics, the mortality rate of cerebral hemorrhage among the middle-aged and elderly people in mainland China is still high, and the mortality rate is still increasing every year.
The main high-risk groups include older adults with a long-term history of hypertension, as well as young and middle-aged people who have stressful daily lives and irregular lifestyle habits.
Hypertension is a major "accomplice" of cerebral hemorrhage, and long-term hypertension will put excessive pressure on the blood vessel wall, which may rupture over time. In addition, dietary habits, lack of exercise, overwork, etc. in life may be triggers.
2. Identify early signs of intracerebral hemorrhage
Many people have some alarms in their bodies before they have a brain hemorrhage. Recognizing these early signs can be a critical step in saving lives.
For example, sudden, severe headaches, especially in people with no previous headache history, should be highly alert. Headaches may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or even sudden loss of consciousness.
Neck stiffness, sudden loss of balance, or difficulty walking are also common warning signs. When these symptoms appear, they often mean a sudden increase in pressure on one part of your brain that is signaling you for help.
In addition, if an elderly person in the household suddenly develops blurred vision, slurred speech, or weakness in one limb, these may be precursors of cerebral hemorrhage.
By identifying these signals in time and taking corresponding first aid measures, the serious consequences of cerebral hemorrhage can be effectively reduced.
3. Detailed explanation of family first aid measures
When someone in the family shows signs of a brain hemorrhage, proper first aid is essential to minimize the patient's damage while waiting for professional medical attention.
The first principle is to minimize the patient's movement and avoid aggravating intracerebral hemorrhage due to vigorous shaking of the head or neck. If the patient is conscious, they should be placed in a comfortable semi-recumbent position with their head slightly elevated to reduce blood pressure and bleeding in the head.
Second, keeping your airways open is another critical step in an emergency. If the patient is unconscious, the mouth should be immediately inspected for foreign bodies and, if necessary, the patient's head can be gently turned sideways to facilitate the discharge of secretions and prevent airway blockage. When performing these procedures, try to avoid putting pressure on the patient's neck.
Finally, if the patient has a high fever, physical cooling methods can be used, such as applying a damp towel to the forehead and neck, or using ice packs to gently place on the sides of the head.
These measures help lower the patient's body temperature and reduce the pressure on the brain. However, it is important to note that any cooling measures should be moderate to avoid causing hypothermia.
At the same time as implementing home first aid, it is important to call the emergency number immediately and clearly and accurately explain the patient's symptoms and the first aid measures taken to the first aid provider. This will help first responders to take the right measures quickly when they arrive at the scene.
4. Lifestyle adjustment to prevent intracerebral hemorrhage
To prevent intracerebral hemorrhage, lifestyle modification is key. First and foremost, a healthy diet is essential for controlling blood pressure. It is recommended to increase the intake of whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet and reduce foods high in salt, fat and sugar.
Studies have shown that moderate intake of potassium and magnesium can help lower blood pressure, and these elements are found in higher levels in fresh vegetables and fruits.
Secondly, regular physical activity is also essential for cardiovascular health. Moderate aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, can effectively lower blood pressure and enhance heart function.
Experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise.
In addition, smoking cessation and alcohol restriction are also effective in preventing intracerebral hemorrhage. The nicotine in tobacco can cause blood vessels to constrict, and long-term smoking can damage the walls of blood vessels and increase the risk of bleeding in the brain.
Excessive alcohol consumption is also a major cause of high blood pressure, so controlling alcohol intake is one of the important measures to prevent intracerebral hemorrhage.
Finally, maintaining a good mental state should not be neglected. Long-term mental stress can lead to increased blood pressure and increase the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. Meditation, yoga, or other relaxation training is recommended to relieve stress.
With these lifestyle modifications, not only can the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage be reduced, but the overall quality of life can also be improved. Prevention is always more important than cure, and with small adjustments in our daily lives, we can build a healthy line of defense for ourselves and our families.
5. The relationship between hypertension and intracerebral hemorrhage
High blood pressure is known as the "silent killer" and is particularly closely related to intracerebral hemorrhage. Long-term high blood pressure causes the walls of blood vessels to increase in thickness and decrease in elasticity, making blood vessels more susceptible to ruptures under pressure.
Studies have shown that controlling blood pressure within the normal range can significantly reduce the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage.
People with high blood pressure should monitor their blood pressure regularly, take medications as prescribed, and make lifestyle changes. In your diet, you should reduce your salt intake, as too much salt can increase your blood pressure.
At the same time, increasing potassium intake can also help control blood pressure, as potassium can help balance sodium levels in the body and promote vascular health.
In addition, maintaining a moderate weight is also essential for blood pressure control. Obesity is an important risk factor for hypertension, and weight management can be achieved through dietary modification and increased physical activity.
Regular physical activity, such as walking, jogging, or swimming, not only helps with weight loss but also improves cardiovascular health.
6. Recent advances in medical intervention and treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage
Medical intervention is a critical step in dealing with intracerebral hemorrhage. Once a brain hemorrhage is diagnosed, patients usually need to be taken to a hospital for professional treatment immediately. Currently, treatment for intracerebral hemorrhage includes medical therapy, surgery, and supportive care.
Medications are mainly used to control symptoms and prevent the condition from getting worse. For example, antihypertensive drugs are used to control high blood pressure, neuroprotective agents are used to protect brain cells, and hemostatic drugs are used to control bleeding.
Surgical treatment may include a craniotomy to rule out a hematoma or minimally invasive techniques to reduce the risk of surgery and recovery time.
Recent research and technological advances also include the use of biomaterials to support damaged blood vessel walls, as well as the use of advanced imaging techniques to more precisely locate bleeding points and monitor treatment effects.
In addition, stem cell therapy has also shown potential to treat sequelae of intracerebral hemorrhage, although this area is still in the early stages of research.
summary
In the face of a serious medical emergency, prevention is always the best strategy. Through health management in our daily lives, such as blood pressure control, regular exercise, and a healthy diet, we can significantly reduce the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage.
At the same time, understanding the early warning signs and first aid measures for intracerebral hemorrhage, as well as actively seeking medical intervention, can save lives or alleviate sequelae at critical moments. May each of us be able to pay attention to health, cherish life, and work together to prevent cerebral hemorrhage and protect the health and happiness of our families.