What are the symptoms of carotid artery blockage, how to prevent it, and what are the treatments? doctor make it clear
The blood vessels in the neck are a very important part of the physical examination. Many friends will find that the neck arteries are hardened and even plaques appear after physical examination. This shows that there is already a problem with the blood vessels in the neck. What will be the impact if the problem continues to worsen? Let's talk about this today.
Are there any symptoms of a blocked carotid artery? Why do some people feel nothing?
The carotid artery is one of the main arteries that maintain blood supply to the brain. There are 4 blood vessels supplying the brain, the carotid arteries on both sides and the vertebral arteries on both sides. The carotid arteries on both sides mainly supply blood to the anterior 2/3 of the brain, while the vertebral arteries on both sides supply the posterior 1/3 of the brain. Problems with the carotid arteries mean that the blood supply to the front of the brain is affected. Of course, this effect is not absolute, mainly for two reasons:
Due to the above two factors, many of my friends have experienced severe stenosis or even occlusion of the internal carotid artery, but they still feel nothing.
What are the symptoms of a blocked carotid artery?
Since the carotid artery mainly supplies the anterior 2/3 of the brain, the following symptoms will occur after carotid artery stenosis
- Numbness and weakness of one hand and foot: The brain controls the limbs crosswise, that is, a problem with the left hand and foot often means a problem with the right side of the brain.
Headache and dizziness: If the carotid artery is blocked and the blood supply to the brain is insufficient, many friends have symptoms of headache and dizziness. Dizziness caused by the carotid artery is significantly different from dizziness caused by the vertebral artery. The dizziness caused by the carotid artery is generally not accompanied by visual rotation, but shows a feeling similar to riding a boat.
Blurred vision: When blurred vision occurs, it often means that the blood supply to the eye has been affected.
Speech disorder: People's language center is generally located on the left side of the brain. This is because most friends are right-handed (holding chopsticks with their right hand), so most people's language center is on the left side. If there is a language problem, it is often prompted There is a problem with the blood supply to the left side of the brain.
Crooked mouth and slanted eyes: Many friends will have the symptoms of facial paralysis, which is commonly known as slanted mouth and slanted eyes. Moreover, the eyes of such friends often stare at one side, and the side of the cerebral hemisphere that is stared at is often the part with blood supply problems.
Consciousness disorder: If a sick friend has a disorder of consciousness, it often indicates that the area of intracranial ischemia is large. It is necessary to race against time to get to the hospital and take treatment measures as soon as possible to save the brain function to the greatest extent.
What are the causes of carotid artery blockage?
There are many reasons for carotid artery blockage. Any factor that can promote arteriosclerosis can cause artery blockage.
Age: With the increase of age, people's blood vessel walls will gradually lose elasticity, arteriosclerosis will appear, and sclerotic plaques will form. This eventually leads to a blockage of the carotid artery.
Chronic diseases: high blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and elevated uric acid will accelerate the process of arteriosclerosis, form arteriosclerotic plaque, and eventually lead to blood vessel blockage.
Bad habits: smoking, drinking, staying up late, these bad habits will directly cause damage to the vascular intima, cause arteriosclerosis, and accelerate the process of arteriosclerosis.
Negative emotions: These emotions, including prolonged mental stress, anxiety, insomnia, etc., can cause endocrine disorders, form arteriosclerotic plaques, and cause blood vessel blockages.
Unhealthy diet: High-salt, high-fat, and high-calorie diets can lead to obesity and increase the risk of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia.
Sitting for a long time, less movement: less exercise, slow blood flow in the body, and garbage components in the blood are more likely to accumulate on the blood vessel wall and block the blood vessels.
These are the common causes of vascular blockage, and there are some less common ones due to their low incidence, so I won’t go into details here. Knowing what causes clogged arteries allows us to take care in our daily lives to prevent thrombotic events.
How to prevent carotid artery blockage?
Healthy diet: adopt a low-salt, low-fat, low-calorie diet, and eat more fruits, vegetables and other foods rich in dietary fiber.
Treatment of underlying diseases: Control blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids, and blood uric acid within the normal range and keep them stable.
Quit bad habits: quit smoking, quit drinking, and maintain adequate and regular sleep. At the same time maintain a positive and healthy mood.
Reasonable exercise: Reasonable exercise can enhance cardiopulmonary function and improve blood supply. At the same time, it can reduce weight and reduce the load on the heart. It is generally recommended to use moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, including brisk walking, jogging, swimming, yoga, etc.
What should be done if carotid artery blockage has occurred?
Specific treatment is divided into simple life control, drug treatment and surgical treatment.
anyhow
The carotid artery is an important pathway for intracranial blood supply. Once carotid artery stenosis occurs, it will endanger the intracranial blood supply, causing large-area cerebral infarction and related symptoms. A personalized treatment plan is recommended for treatment. A single treatment strategy cannot fundamentally prevent the possibility of carotid obstruction.