What is cerebral ischemia and how to treat

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 brain region that has been obstructed; Global, in which the entire blood supply to the brain is compromised, which can lead to permanent brain damage if not quickly identified and treated.

Main symptoms

Symptoms of cerebral ischemia can last from seconds to longer periods and can be:

Loss of strength in arms and legs; Dizziness; Tingling; Difficulty speaking; Headache; Nausea and vomiting; High blood 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 mini-stroke, occurs when there is a decrease in blood circulation in the brain in a short period of time, usually lasting about 24 hours, and requires immediate care as it may be a sign of more severe cerebral ischemia.

Transient ischemia should be treated according to medical guidelines and is usually done with vasodilators and changes in eating and living habits, such as physical exercise and decreased fat and alcohol intake, 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; Problems with thinking; Difficulty speaking; Emotional problems such as depression; Blindness; Fragility in bones; Permanent brain damage.

The sequelae of cerebral ischemia vary greatly from one individual to the other and depend on 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 life and prevent the sequelae are 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 may 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 medications, 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 new cerebral ischemia occurring is minimal, that is, attention must be paid to food, avoiding fatty and high-salt foods, performing physical activities, avoiding drinking alcohol and quitting 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. Learn more about natural treatment to prevent stroke.