Health has become one of our most valuable assets. However, when the disease quietly comes, it often does not announce its arrival with great fanfare, but in a subtle and subtle way, it lays a foundation in a corner of the body. Today, we are going to discuss a health signal that may surprise you but is crucial - the ear, an organ that we use frequently but is easy to ignore, can become a "magnifying glass" for cerebral infarction. Doctors solemnly remind that when the following three symptoms appear in the ear, do not take it lightly, and seek medical attention as soon as possible may buy you valuable time for treatment.
1. Why can the ear become a "magnifying glass" for cerebral infarction?
First, let's understand the basic concept of cerebral infarction. Cerebral infarction, medically known as ischemic stroke, is caused by the sudden blockage of blood vessels in the brain, resulting in the inability of blood to flow into specific areas of the brain, resulting in hypoxia and necrosis of brain tissue in this area, causing a series of symptoms of neurological deficits. The ear, as one of the important sensory organs of the human body, is closely connected to the brain in its internal structure, and realizes the transmission and processing of information through complex neural networks. Therefore, when there is a problem with the blood vessels in the brain, especially when it affects the nerves associated with the ear, the ear often becomes the first "window" to sound the alarm.
Second, the three major "alarm bell" symptoms of the ear
1. Sudden hearing loss or tinnitus
Hearing loss, especially unilateral sudden hearing loss, and persistent tinnitus (abnormal sounds such as buzzing and cicadas in the ears) may be a precursor to cerebral infarction. The mechanism behind this is that when the blood vessels in the brain are blocked, which affects the blood supply to the inner ear, it will lead to the lack of oxygen and damage to the inner ear cells, which in turn affects the hearing function. In addition, tinnitus can also be caused by neurological disturbances caused by cerebral ischemia. It is important to note that these symptoms often occur suddenly and without obvious cause, and if left untreated, the best time for treatment may be missed.
2. Numbness in the ears or face
When cerebral infarction occurs, local brain tissue ischemia is caused by cerebral vascular blockage, which may affect the conduction of sensory nerves. As a result, patients may experience unexplained numbness, tingling, and even decreased sensation in their ears or face. This numbness may gradually worsen and may be accompanied by facial paralysis symptoms such as crooked mouth and eyes, salivation, etc. As soon as these symptoms are noticed, you should seek medical attention immediately, as this can be a strong sign that a cerebral infarction is developing.
3. Balance disorders and vertigo
The inner ear is not only responsible for hearing, but also has the important task of maintaining the body's balance. When a cerebral infarction affects the nerves or blood vessels associated with the inner ear, patients may experience symptoms such as imbalance, unsteady walking, easy falling, and vertigo. Vertigo is a sensation that spins around the world, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and other discomforts. The appearance of these symptoms often indicates insufficient blood supply to the brain or nerve damage, and it is necessary to be highly vigilant for the possibility of cerebral infarction.
3. How should we act in the face of the "alarm bell"?
1. Seek medical attention immediately without delay
Once you find that any one or more of the above symptoms appear in your ears, especially if you are accompanied by headache, limb weakness, slurred speech and other typical manifestations of cerebral infarction, you should immediately call the emergency number and go to the hospital for treatment. Time is of the essence, and in the treatment of cerebral infarction, the earlier the intervention, the better the prognosis.
2. Have regular medical check-ups and put prevention first
In addition to timely response to sudden symptoms, regular physical examination is also an important means to prevent cerebral infarction. Especially for people with high-risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular related examinations, such as blood lipids, blood glucose, blood pressure monitoring, and imaging examinations such as brain CT or MRI, should be carried out regularly, so as to detect and deal with potential health problems in time.
3. Maintain good habits
A healthy lifestyle is also essential to prevent cerebral infarction. Eat a reasonable diet and reduce the intake of high-fat, high-salt, and high-sugar foods; Moderate exercise, enhance physical fitness, promote blood circulation; Quit smoking and limit alcohol, avoid staying up late for a long time and overwork; Maintaining a good mood and reducing stress can help reduce the risk of cerebral infarction.
4. Learn first aid knowledge and improve self-rescue ability
In daily life, we should also learn some basic first aid knowledge, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), how to make the emergency number correctly, etc. In this way, in the event of an emergency, we can quickly take effective measures to buy valuable rescue time for ourselves or others.
The ear, a seemingly inconspicuous organ, actually holds the secret of health. When it sends out the "alarm" of cerebral infarction, we should capture these signals with the fastest speed and the most keen insight, and take active countermeasures. Remember, health is no small matter, and any subtle abnormality can be a distress signal from our body. Let's start today, pay more attention to our physical changes, take care of our health, and make the tree of life evergreen.