Warning Signs of Cerebral Infarction: Acute Causes, Headache Test, Treatment, and Response Measures

Warning Signs of Cerebral Infarction: Acute Causes

Headache Test, Treatment, and Response Measures

Cerebrovascular diseases are high-risk conditions, ranking fourth among the causes of death in Korea as of 2023 among the top 10 causes of death, so regular health management is essential.

Among them, cerebral infarction is a serious disease in which a blocked blood vessel in the brain cuts off blood flow to brain tissue, causing damage to brain cells. If it is not treated in time, aftereffects may remain.

Today, we will take a look at the causes of acute warning signs of cerebral infarction, representative symptoms, testing methods, diagnostic methods, treatment methods, and prevention methods.

The main causes of this disease are atherosclerosis, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and obesity, which act as risk factors.

In particular, the risk increases with older age or when chronic diseases have been present for a long time, and if blood vessels in the brain narrow and a blood clot forms, blood flow to the brain is blocked.

As a result, oxygen and nutrients that should reach the brain are not properly supplied, leading to brain cell necrosis, and the number of patients has recently been increasing among middle-aged adults in their 40s and 50s as well.

Acute warning signs of cerebral infarction include severe headache along with sudden blurred vision or loss of proper vision in one eye.

These warning signs may disappear within as little as a few minutes or as long as one or two hours, but they should never be ignored.

In some cases, paralysis of the arms or legs, numbness on one side of the face, or speech problems such as slurred speech may occur as well, so if two or three symptoms appear together, you should go to the hospital immediately.

As symptoms progress, they vary depending on the area of brain damage, but commonly include paralysis of one arm or leg, reduced sensation, or altered consciousness.

Because symptoms usually start suddenly and are not accompanied by pain, many people dismiss them as "just a brief symptom."

However, if the brain tissue misses the golden time, it cannot be restored, so it is a good idea for people around the patient to recognize the signs quickly and know emergency first aid in advance.

If cerebral infarction warning signs are suspected, they can be checked easily with the FAST test. When asking the person to smile, you should see whether the corner of the mouth droops.

When asking them to raise both arms, check whether one arm falls, and have them say a simple phrase to see whether their speech is slurred or strange. If any symptoms are observed, call 119 immediately.

When visiting the hospital, a clear diagnosis is made through CT, MRI, blood tests, and other examinations, and emergency treatment to remove the blood clot or restore blood flow must be carried out quickly.

Treatment generally includes administering thrombolytics to open the blocked blood vessel, as well as stent insertion, anticoagulant therapy, and rehabilitation treatment.

If you are in a high-risk group, you should check the condition of your cerebral blood vessels through regular health checkups and always stay aware of the disease.

Therefore, please manage your blood pressure and blood sugar in daily life, quit smoking and drinking, maintain a healthy diet, and protect your cerebrovascular health through appropriate exercise.