In
our brain, in addition to the obvious large blood vessels, there are many tiny blood vessels, which are like a fine network, transporting oxygen and nutrients to various areas of the brain. However, when these small cerebral vessels have problems, especially critical cerebral small vessel infarction, it may pose a serious threat to our health. Today, let’s take a look at critical cerebral small vessel infarction.
1. What is cerebral small vessel infarction?
Cerebral small vessel infarction refers to the ischemia and hypoxic necrosis of local brain tissue caused by the blockage of cerebral small vessels due to various reasons. Cerebral small vessels usually refer to vessels less than 200 microns in diameter, including arterioles, arterioles, capillaries and venules. Although these small blood vessels are small, they play a vital role in maintaining the normal function of the brain.
2. What are the characteristics of critical cerebral small vessel infarction?
1. Symptoms are not typical
. Symptoms of critically ill cerebral small vessel infarcts tend to be less typical than those of
large vessel infarcts. Patients may only have mild headache, dizziness, fatigue, memory loss and other symptoms, which are easily ignored. However, behind these seemingly insignificant symptoms, there may be serious health problems.
2. Slow
progress
Critical cerebral small-vessel infarction usually progresses slowly, possibly within hours, days, or even weeks. This makes it difficult for patients and doctors to detect the severity of the disease in the early stage, and it is easy to delay treatment.
3. Relapse
easily Patients with
cerebral small vessel infarction often have a variety of risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and so on. If these risk factors are not effectively controlled, they will increase the risk of recurrence of cerebral small vessel infarction. Moreover, each recurrence may lead to further aggravation of the disease, which poses a greater threat to the health of patients.
3. What are the causes of critical cerebral small vessel infarction?
1. Hypertension
Long-term hypertension can lead to thickening and hardening of the wall of cerebral small vessels and narrowing of the lumen, thus increasing the risk of cerebral small vessel infarction. Especially when blood pressure fluctuates greatly, it is more likely to cause rupture or blockage of small cerebral vessels.
2. Diabetes
Diabetes can damage vascular endothelial cells and promote the formation of atherosclerosis, thus affecting the blood supply of small blood vessels in the brain. In addition, high blood sugar can also lead to increased blood viscosity, easy to form thrombus, blocking small blood vessels in the brain.
3. Hyperlipidemia
Hyperlipidemia can cause cholesterol, triglyceride and other lipid components in the blood to deposit on the vascular wall, forming atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques may break off and block small blood vessels in the brain, leading to infarction.
4. Smoking
Smoking can damage vascular endothelial cells, cause abnormal vasoconstriction function, increase blood viscosity, and thus promote thrombosis. The risk of cerebral small vessel infarction in long-term smokers is significantly higher than that in non-smokers.
5. Age growth
With the increase of age, the small cerebral vessels will gradually appear aging, hardening and other changes, narrowing the lumen, slowing down the blood flow speed, and prone to infarction. In addition, the elderly often have a variety of chronic diseases, which also increase the risk of cerebral small vessel infarction.
4. What are the hazards of critical cerebral small vessel infarction?
1. Cognitive dysfunction
Cerebral small vessel infarction may affect the cognitive function of the brain, leading to memory loss, inattention, slow thinking and other symptoms. In severe cases, patients may develop dementia and lose the ability to take care of themselves.
2. Motor dysfunction
If cerebral small vessel infarction affects the motor center or conduction pathway, patients may suffer from limb weakness, paralysis, gait instability and other motor dysfunction. These obstacles can seriously affect the daily life and work of patients.
3. Emotional and psychological problems
Patients with
critical cerebral small vessel infarction often have emotional and psychological problems such as anxiety, depression and irritability. These problems will not only affect the recovery of patients, but also bring a heavy burden to families and society.
4. Increased risk
of other diseases
Cerebral small vessel infarction also increases the risk of other diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and so on. These diseases interact with each other and further aggravate the patient’s condition.
5. How to diagnose critical cerebral small vessel infarction?
1. Clinical signs
.
The doctor will make a preliminary diagnosis based on the patient’s symptoms, signs and medical history. If the patient has headache, dizziness, memory loss, limb weakness and other symptoms, the doctor will consider the possibility of cerebral small vessel infarction.
2. Imaging examination
In order to confirm the diagnosis, doctors usually perform CT or MRI examination of the head. These examinations can clearly show the pathological changes of cerebral small vessels, including the location, extent and degree of infarction.
3. Laboratory examination
Doctors may also carry out some laboratory tests, such as blood routine, blood sugar, blood lipids, coagulation function, etc., to understand the patient’s physical condition and find possible risk factors.
6. What are the treatments for critical cerebral small vessel infarction?
1. General treatment
(1) Keep the respiratory tract unobstructed: For coma patients, clean up the secretion of the respiratory tract in time to prevent asphyxia. Tracheal intubation or incision may be required if necessary.
(2) Control blood pressure: Hypertension is one of the important risk factors for cerebral small vessel infarction, so it is necessary to control blood pressure. However, blood pressure should not be too low, so as not to affect cerebral perfusion.
(3) Control blood sugar: Diabetic patients should strictly control blood sugar to avoid excessive fluctuation of blood sugar.
(4) Reduce intracranial pressure: If patients have symptoms of elevated intracranial pressure, such as headache, vomiting, papilledema, etc., they need to use dehydration drugs, diuretics, etc. To reduce intracranial pressure.
(5) Maintain water-electrolyte balance: Patients may suffer from dehydration and electrolyte disorders, and need to replenish water and electrolytes in time.
2. Medication
(1) Antiplatelet aggregation drugs, such as aspirin and clopidogrel, can inhibit platelet aggregation and prevent thrombosis.
(2) Anticoagulant drugs: For patients with thrombotic tendency, anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin and low molecular weight heparin, may be needed.
(3) Improve cerebral circulation drugs: such as butylphthalide, nimodipine, etc., can dilate cerebral vessels, increase cerebral blood flow, and improve cerebral circulation.
(4) Neuroprotective drugs, such as edaravone and citicoline, can protect nerve cells and reduce brain damage.
3. Rehabilitation treatment
After in stable condition, patients with
cerebral small vessel infarction need rehabilitation therapy to promote the recovery of limb function and cognitive function. Rehabilitation therapy includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, cognitive training and so on.
7. How to prevent critical cerebral small vessel infarction?
1. Control risk factors
Actively control hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and other risk factors, take medicine on time, and review regularly.
2. Healthy lifestyle
Maintain good living habits, such as reasonable diet, moderate exercise, smoking cessation and alcohol restriction, and avoid overwork.
3. Regular physical examination
Especially for people with high risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia, regular physical examination should be carried out to detect and deal with potential health problems in time.
4. Keep warm
In winter, when the temperature is low, blood vessels are easy to contract, which can easily lead to cerebral small vessel infarction. Therefore, attention should be paid to keeping warm and avoiding cold.
In a word, critical cerebral small vessel infarction is a serious disease, which may pose a great threat to the health of patients. We should fully understand the characteristics, causes, hazards and treatment methods of this disease, and actively take preventive measure to protect our health.
Cerebral infarction
