Stroke is the damage to brain tissue of varying degrees, with severe cases posing a threat to life. It can be classified into ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Therefore, stroke is a major threat to the health of elderly people. The following provides treatment methods for stroke. Let's take a closer look together with the editor!
Causes of Stroke
1. Fluctuating blood pressure
The human body is influenced by the biological clock, and blood pressure has significant diurnal fluctuations. Generally, when a person falls asleep at night, blood pressure naturally drops to a certain extent, and blood flow slows down, which becomes the physiological and pathological basis for stroke occurring at night.
2. Sleeping position
Some scholars have also pointed out that the fixed lateral sleeping position during sleep twists the neck, compressing the carotid artery and resulting in reduced blood supply or poor venous return, which is related to the occurrence of stroke.
3. Changes in blood coagulation
Some people have found that the activity of catecholamines and fibrinogen in the blood is enhanced and the hematocrit and viscosity are increased from 2 am to 6 am through continuous blood tests over 24 hours. This leads to increased blood coagulability. Additionally, during a long period of sleep at night without eating or drinking and without replenishing fluid, renal filtration continues, resulting in plasma loss and further thickening and increased viscosity of the blood, making stroke more likely to occur.
Treatment Methods
The incidence, mortality, and disability rates of cerebrovascular diseases are relatively high, so timely treatment is necessary.
1. Medical treatment
(1) General treatment: ① Bed rest. ② Sedatives, antispasmodics, and analgesics. ③ Cooling the head.
(2) Blood pressure adjustment.
(3) Decrease intracranial pressure.
(4) Pay attention to calorie supplementation, water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance.
(5) Prevention and treatment of complications.
2. Surgical treatment
In the recovery period, the main purpose of treatment is to promote the functional recovery of paralyzed limbs and speech disorders, improve brain function, reduce sequelae, and prevent recurrence.
1. Prevent high blood pressure and emotional excitement. Maintain a regular lifestyle and moderate diet. Avoid constipation.
2. Physical exercise.
3. Drug treatment: Neurotrophic drugs such as cerebrolysin, phosphatidylcholine, cerebroprotein hydrolysate, R-amino acid, coenzyme Q10, B vitamins, vitamin E, and vasodilators can be used. Chinese herbal formulations that promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, invigorate qi and promote blood circulation, nourish the liver and kidneys, and clear phlegm and open the orifices can also be used.
4. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and acupuncture, etc.
Prevention of Stroke in the Elderly
1. Pay attention to the prodromal symptoms of stroke, such as dizziness, headache, limb numbness, drowsiness, and changes in personality. Once a minor stroke occurs, seek medical treatment promptly.
2. Pay attention to the influence of meteorological factors: Seasonal and climate changes can make hypertensive patients emotionally unstable, leading to blood pressure fluctuations and triggering stroke. Precautions should be taken during these times to prevent stroke.
3. Outdoor activities (especially for the elderly) should pay attention to keeping warm. Gradually adapt to the ambient temperature indoors, adjust the indoor air conditioning temperature to not be too high, and avoid sudden transitions from higher temperature environments to lower temperature outdoors.
4. Eliminate triggering factors for stroke, such as emotional fluctuations, excessive fatigue, and excessive exertion. Pay attention to psychological prevention, maintain a cheerful mood, and stable emotions. Advocate a healthy lifestyle, regular daily routines, maintain regular bowel movements, and avoid sharp increases in blood pressure caused by exertion during bowel movements, which can lead to cerebrovascular diseases.
5. Timely treat diseases that may cause stroke, such as arteriosclerosis, diabetes, coronary heart disease, dyslipidemia, hypercoagulability, obesity, cervical spondylosis, etc. Hypertension is the most dangerous factor leading to stroke and is also a central aspect of stroke prevention. Blood pressure should be effectively controlled.
