Seventy percent of strokes occur during autumn and winter. It is understood that stroke, also known as cerebrovascular accident, is categorized into two types: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. In traditional Chinese medicine, stroke is the general term for acute cerebrovascular diseases. Among these, a specific category is characterized by sudden collapse, loss of consciousness, accompanied by facial asymmetry, slurred speech, and hemiplegia.Due to its high incidence, mortality, disability rates, recurrence rates, and numerous complications, the medical community ranks stroke alongside coronary heart disease and cancer as one of the three major diseases threatening human health.
Since over 70% of stroke patients experience onset in late autumn and winter, stroke is termed "the epidemic of neurology in autumn and winter."During seasonal transitions when temperatures fluctuate abruptly, cold air adversely affects the body. It causes blood vessels to constrict and spasm, slowing blood flow and increasing blood viscosity, which can trigger thrombus formation. Simultaneously, it stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, elevating blood pressure. Cold exposure also hardens and weakens blood vessels, making them prone to rupture and hemorrhage.
Following cerebral hemorrhage or extensive cerebral infarction, complications often arise in other organs. Common issues include acute gastrointestinal bleeding, cardio-cerebral syndrome, pulmonary infections and acute pulmonary edema, pressure ulcers, central respiratory distress, central hiccups, and post-stroke depression. Therefore, if you experience numbness in hands or feet, dizziness, or difficulty holding objects, seek medical attention immediately.
Strokes Are Increasingly Affecting Younger Individuals
As the year draws to a close, many professionals face increased social engagements. Excessive smoking, alcohol consumption, and rich, fatty foods can trigger the "three highs" (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol). Combined with poor dietary habits, high work stress, and significant emotional fluctuations, these factors create an environment where strokes can easily occur. Additionally, individuals who frequently consume fatty meats and fish heads are also at higher risk for strokes. Therefore, in winter, besides staying warm, it is crucial to adjust dietary habits.
Given the trend of younger stroke onset, understanding basic self-assessment methods is crucial: Strokes occur suddenly, often preceded by warning signs appearing minutes to days beforehand. These may include headaches, dizziness (sometimes with spinning sensations), nausea, or vomiting;Weakness or impaired movement in one side of the body, difficulty holding objects steady, sometimes with muscle spasms; sudden falls while walking without obstacles, despite clear consciousness; numbness in lips, face, tongue, or limbs; ringing in the ears, hearing loss, transient blurred vision or blindness; sudden changes in personality, behavior, or cognitive function.
If any of these symptoms occur, family members or bystanders should remain calm and promptly administer first aid. First, ensure the patient rests quietly in bed. Monitor blood pressure closely: administer antihypertensive treatment if readings are too high, and immediately discontinue any blood pressure-lowering measures if readings are too low.It is best to call a doctor for a house call; otherwise, proceed to a hospital for further examination. Use a stretcher for transport, avoid jolts during transit, and position the patient flat with the head turned to one side to prevent vomit from blocking the airway or causing aspiration pneumonia.