Health Class｜Severe headache may be a blocked brain vein

Ms. Zhang went to the hospital for two consecutive months of headaches and was diagnosed with intracranial venous sinus thrombosis. Prior to the headache attacks, Ms. Zhang did not have a history of fever or head impacts, but she experienced constant swelling and pain throughout her head, accompanied by vomiting in severe cases, and later Ms. Zhang also began to experience blurred vision in both eyes. After receiving treatment, Ms. Zhang's symptoms were greatly relieved. So, what is intracranial venous sinus thrombosis?

Headache is the most common clinical manifestation of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

Under normal circumstances, the blood supply to the human brain comes from the bilateral carotid and vertebral arteries (four in total), which are responsible for sending blood to various parts of the brain, and finally this blood is diverted back to the heart for reuse. In our life, the water we use usually passes through the drainage system and is treated and then recycled. In fact, a similar "drainage system" exists in the human brain, namely the cerebral venous sinuses.

When the drainage system is blocked (thrombosis), the blood cannot drain out, causing water to accumulate in the drainage pipe, but when the drainage pipe (cerebral venous sinus) is blocked, the blood from the cerebral artery continues to enter the drainage pipe. Eventually, more and more water in the drainage pipe causes an increase in pressure in the drainage pipe (forming intracranial pressure), a condition called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Ms. Zhang was suffering from cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, which blocked cerebral venous return and created intracranial pressure, which then caused intractable headaches and vision loss.

There are two main types of causes of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, one is caused by infection, such as otitis media, sinusitis, and infection in the dangerous triangle of the face (usually the triangular area formed by the line from the corners of the mouth to the root of the nose on both sides). The other category is caused by increased blood coagulability, such as childbirth and thrombocytosis.

Headache is the most common clinical manifestation of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, and often the effect of painkillers is not effective and requires prompt treatment. Loss of vision is also a common symptom of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, and some patients may also experience double vision, extraocular protrusion, seizures, etc. Severe patients may experience altered state of consciousness and even coma.

Preventing intracranial venous sinus thrombosis by avoiding infection

The incidence of intracranial venous sinus thrombosis is not high, less than 1% of all cerebrovascular diseases. However, intracranial venous sinus thrombosis occurs mostly in young and middle-aged people, with rapid onset and severe symptoms, and high mortality if not treated effectively. Early diagnosis and treatment can provide effective relief for most patients and should be taken seriously.

If intracranial venous sinus thrombosis is detected, it should be treated immediately to avoid further expansion of the thrombus and aggravation of the disease.

In life, the prevention of intracranial venous sinus thrombosis should start from avoiding risk factors, for example, if the human facial danger triangle is broken, it is easy to develop infection, so try to avoid the breakage of skin in the facial danger triangle. In addition, pay attention to good lifestyle habits by.

1. Limit fat intake. Patients with intracranial venous sinus thrombosis should reduce fat intake in their diet and limit cholesterol intake to 300 mg or less per person per day.

2. Increase protein intake moderately, eat less sweets and sugary foods, and eat more fresh vegetables, which are good for reducing blood cholesterol and blood viscosity.

3. Drink water frequently and quit smoking and drinking. Drinking water can dilute blood and prevent blood clots from appearing. Smoking and alcohol are one of the triggers of cerebral thrombosis.

According to Yanzhao Senior News