Recently, I saw a distressing piece of news: a 38-year-old woman unfortunately passed away due to a cerebral infarction. Upon examination, doctors discovered that she had many problematic lifestyle habits, especially in cold weather, where she often engaged in activities that harmed her blood vessels.
Today, I will talk to you about which behaviors in cold weather can easily induce cerebral infarction and how we should protect our health.
I. Hazards and Current Status of Cerebral Infarction
Cerebral infarction, also known as ischemic stroke, is a disease caused by the blockage of blood vessels in the brain, leading to ischemia and hypoxia of brain tissue. It is characterized by high incidence, high disability rate, and high mortality, posing a serious threat to people's life and health.
According to statistics, there are approximately 2 million new stroke patients in China each year, of which about one-third die within one year of onset, and about one-third are left with varying degrees of disability. Stroke not only brings immense suffering to the patients themselves but also places a heavy burden on families and society.
II. The Relationship Between Cold Weather and Cerebral Infarction
Cold weather is a high-incidence season for cerebral infarction. Studies have shown that when the temperature drops below 10°C, the incidence of cerebral infarction significantly increases. This is because:
- VasoconstrictionCold stimulates sympathetic nerve excitement, leading to vasoconstriction, elevated blood pressure, and increased cardiac load. Simultaneously, vasoconstriction slows blood flow, making it easier for blood clots to form.
- Increased blood viscosityIn cold weather, the human body sweats less, blood becomes relatively concentrated, flow slows down, and blood clots are more likely to form.
- Lifestyle ChangesOutdoor activities decrease in winter, high-fat and high-salt diets increase, and the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors is significant, which can easily induce vascular spasms.
III. Behaviors That Easily Induce Cerebral Infarction in Cold Weather
1. Getting up quickly in the morning
In winter mornings, the temperature is low, and blood vessels are already in a state of contraction. If you suddenly sit up or stand up from bed at this time, blood pressure can easily spike, and the blood vessels may not be able to withstand this pressure, potentially triggering a recurrence of cerebral infarction.
The correct approach is to slow down first lie in bed for three to five minutes to wake up your mind then slowly sit up and take a moment to adjust before finally getting out of bed and moving around giving your blood vessels a chance to adapt
2. Wash face and hands directly with cold water
In winter, tap water is icy cold, and sudden contact with cold water with the skin can stimulate the body, triggering a stress response that causes blood vessels to contract sharply and blood pressure to fluctuate. This is particularly dangerous for patients with cerebral infarction, as it can easily lead to dizziness or palpitations.
It is advisable to prepare warm water in advance and use it for washing as it not only protects blood vessels but also provides comfort.
3. Eating too salty and too oily
When it gets cold, everyone loves to eat some stewed meat and pickled vegetables, finding them warm and appetizing. However, these foods are not friendly to stroke patients. Excessive salt can raise blood pressure, while excessive oil can thicken the blood. Both can increase the burden on blood vessels and raise the risk of stroke recurrence.
Daily diet should be as light as possible, with less salt and oil, and more vegetables and coarse grains, which is a good habit for protecting cerebral blood vessels.
4. Staying indoors for long periods without exercising
In winter, the weather is cold, and many people prefer to stay indoors without exercising for long periods. This can lead to slowed blood circulation, increased blood viscosity, and a higher risk of blood clots.
It is advisable to engage in moderate indoor activities such as walking or Tai Chi during favorable weather to promote blood circulation, while avoiding strenuous exercise and excessive fatigue.
5. Emotional agitation, tension, anxiety
Emotional agitation, tension, anxiety, and other negative emotions can lead to elevated blood pressure, vasoconstriction, and increase the risk of cerebral infarction.
It is advisable to maintain a calm state of mind and avoid excessive emotional fluctuations. Stress can be alleviated through activities such as listening to music or communicating with family and friends.
IV Measures to Prevent Cerebral Infarction in Cold Weather
1. Keep warm
Add clothing promptly, paying special attention to keeping the head, neck, hands, and feet warm to prevent blood vessels from constricting due to cold stimulation, which could worsen the condition of cerebral infarction or trigger a new one.
Wear a hat, scarf, gloves, and warm shoes and socks when going out. It is recommended to keep the indoor temperature between 18-22°C and avoid sudden changes between cold and heat.
2. Monitor blood pressure
Cold weather may cause fluctuations in blood pressure, so it is important to measure blood pressure regularly to understand its changes. If any abnormalities occur, seek medical attention promptly to adjust antihypertensive medications.
3. Take medication regularly
Take antiplatelet aggregation, lipid-lowering, and plaque-stabilizing medications as prescribed by your doctor, on time and in the correct dosage. Do not adjust the dosage or stop taking the medication on your own.
4. Moderate exercise
When the weather is good, moderate exercise such as walking or Tai Chi can be done indoors to promote blood circulation, but strenuous exercise and overexertion should be avoided.
5. Dietary Adjustment
Maintain a light, low-salt, low-fat, and low-sugar diet, eat plenty of vegetables and fruits, and drink water in moderation. Avoid consuming high-salt, high-fat, and high-sugar foods such as pickles, cured meats, and fried foods.
6. Emotional Stability
Avoid emotional excitement, tension, anxiety, etc., and maintain a peaceful state of mind. You can relieve stress by listening to music, communicating with family and friends, and other methods.
7. Reduce going out
Especially in cold, windy, rainy, or snowy weather, protective measures should be taken when going out.
8. Prevention of Infection
Respiratory infections are prone to occur when the temperature drops, so it is important to ensure indoor ventilation and prevent colds.
9. Regular follow-up
Follow the doctor's advice for regular check-ups to assess the recovery from cerebral infarction and monitor for any new changes in the condition.
10. Focus on Symptoms
Pay attention to whether symptoms such as dizziness, headache, limb numbness and weakness, and slurred speech worsen, and seek medical attention promptly if any abnormalities occur.
Five, Warning Signs of Cerebral Infarction
Before a cerebral infarction occurs, the body usually sends some obvious signals and symptoms, which are key to preventing cerebral infarction and reducing harm. The following are some common warning signs of cerebral infarction:
- stiffness at the root of the tongue and language impairmentA stiff tongue root, difficulty or slurred speech, especially numbness and weakness around the corners of the mouth and eyes, are typical signs of a precursor to cerebral infarction. Easily choking on water or food is also a manifestation of a stiff tongue root. At the same time, patients may experience sudden loss of speech or unclear articulation, which is often a precursor to infarction in the dominant hemisphere.
- Numbness, Mouth CrookedStroke can cause limb movement disorders, and patients may experience symptoms such as facial or limb numbness, weakness or even paralysis in the limbs, a crooked mouth (as if being pulled up), and drooling.
- Abnormal Blood PressureA sudden and sustained increase or decrease in blood pressure is a precursor to cerebral infarction. When blood pressure suddenly rises above 200/120mmHg or drops below 80/50mmHg, immediate medical examination is necessary.
- severe headacheSudden severe headache, possibly accompanied by seizures or coma, drowsiness, is an important signal before the onset of cerebral infarction. Sudden changes in the nature, location, distribution of headache, or headache aggravated by coughing and exertion should be taken seriously.
- Vertigo and Balance DisordersDizziness is an extremely common symptom in the premonitory signs of cerebral infarction, which can occur at any time before the infarction, especially most frequently upon waking up in the morning.
- Sensory and Motor DisordersPatients may experience numbness in the hands, feet, or face, or weakness and numbness in one limb.
Six, First Aid and Treatment for Cerebral Infarction
Once warning signs of cerebral infarction appear, emergency services should be called immediately to strive for thrombolytic therapy within the "golden 4.5 hours" to dissolve blood clots and restore cerebral blood flow. If the thrombolytic time window is missed, doctors may consider interventional therapy, surgical treatment, or other methods based on the patient's specific condition.
After treatment, patients with cerebral infarction still need to take medication for a long time to prevent the recurrence of thrombosis. At the same time, attention should be paid to rehabilitation training to restore limb function and language ability.
Written at the end
Cold weather is a high-incidence season for cerebral infarction, and we must pay attention to protecting our health. Avoid behaviors that can easily induce cerebral infarction, such as getting up suddenly in the morning, washing face and hands directly with cold water, and eating too salty or too oily food. At the same time, it is important to keep warm, monitor blood pressure, take medication regularly, exercise appropriately, adjust diet, and maintain emotional stability to prevent the occurrence of cerebral infarction.
If warning signs of cerebral infarction appear, immediately call emergency services to strive for thrombolytic treatment within the "golden 4.5 hours." After treatment, patients with cerebral infarction need to take medication long-term to prevent the reformation of blood clots. At the same time, attention should be paid to rehabilitation training to restore limb function and language abilities.
