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Cerebral ischemia or ischemic stroke occurs when there is a decrease or absence of blood flow to the brain, thus decreasing the amount of oxygen that reaches the organ and characterizing cerebral hypoxia. Cerebral hypoxia can lead to severe sequelae or even death if the person is not identified and treated as soon as the first symptoms appear, such as drowsiness, paralysis of the arms and legs and changes in speech and vision.
Cerebral ischemia can happen at any time, during physical activity or even sleeping, and it is more common to happen in people who have diabetes, atherosclerosis and sickle cell anemia. The diagnosis can be made based on imaging tests, such as MRI and computed tomography.
There are 2 types of cerebral ischemia, they are:
- Focal, in which a clot obstructs a cerebral vessel and prevents or decreases the passage of blood to the brain, which can lead to the death of cells in the region of the brain that has been obstructed;
- Global, in which all blood supply to the brain is compromised, which can lead to permanent brain damage if it is not identified and treated quickly.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of cerebral ischemia can last from seconds to longer periods and can be:
- Loss of strength in the arms and legs;
- Dizziness;
- Tingling;
- Difficulty speaking;
- Headache;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- High pressure;
- Lack of coordination;
- Unconsciousness;
- Weakness on one or both sides of the body.
Symptoms of cerebral ischemia should be identified as soon as possible for treatment to begin, otherwise permanent brain damage may occur. In transient cerebral ischemia the symptoms are transient and last less than 24 hours, but they must also be treated clinically.
What is transient cerebral ischemia
Transient cerebral ischemia, also called TIA or mini-stroke, happens when there is a decrease in blood circulation in the brain in a short period of time, with symptoms of sudden onset and usually disappears in about 24 hours, and requires immediate care as it can be the beginning of more severe cerebral ischemia.
Transient ischemia should be treated according to medical guidelines and is usually done with the treatment of comorbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and changes in eating and living habits, such as physical exercise and decreased intake of fats and alcohol, in addition to avoiding smoking. Learn how to identify and treat a mini-stroke.
Possible sequelae of cerebral ischemia
Cerebral ischemia can leave sequelae, such as:
- Weakness or paralysis of an arm, leg or face;
- Paralyze all or one side of the body;
- Loss of motor coordination;
- Difficulty swallowing;
- Reasoning problems;
- Difficulty speaking;
- Emotional problems, such as depression;
- Vision difficulties;
- Permanent brain damage.
The sequelae of cerebral ischemia vary greatly from one individual to another and depend on where the ischemia occurred and the time it took to start treatment, often requiring the accompaniment of a physical therapist, speech therapist or occupational therapist to improve the quality of care. life and prevent the sequelae from being permanent.
Possible causes
The causes of cerebral ischemia are closely related to the person's lifestyle. Thus, people who have atherosclerosis, diabetes and high blood pressure, which are diseases related to eating habits, are more at risk of having cerebral ischemia.
In addition, people who have sickle cell anemia are also more likely to suffer from decreased brain oxygenation, as the altered form of red blood cells does not allow for proper oxygen transport.
Problems related to coagulation, such as platelet stacking and coagulation disorders, also favor the occurrence of cerebral ischemia, as there is a greater chance of obstruction of a cerebral vessel.
How is the treatment and prevention of cerebral ischemia
The treatment of cerebral ischemia is done considering the size of the clot and the possible consequences for the person, and the use of drugs that dilute the clot, such as Alteplase, or surgery can be indicated. Treatment must take place in the hospital so that blood pressure and intracranial pressure can be monitored, thus avoiding possible complications.
In addition to the use of medication, it is important to seek help from a physical therapist, speech therapist or occupational therapist to improve the person's quality of life and avoid permanent damage. See how stroke physiotherapy is done.
After hospital discharge, good habits must be maintained so that the risk of a new condition of cerebral ischemia is minimal, that is, attention must be paid to food, avoiding fatty and high-salt foods, performing physical activities, avoiding consumption of alcoholic beverages and stop smoking. There are some home remedies that can prevent stroke, as they have properties that prevent the blood from becoming too thick and forming clots.