Differences in symptoms between cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage
Sep 13, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Jun
Introduction
Cerebral infarction usually has a subacute onset, developing over the course of hours, whereas cerebral hemorrhage typically has an acute onset and rapidly leads to symptoms such as impaired consciousness, headache, nausea, and vomiting within a short time. The classic triad of hemiplegia, hemianesthesia, and hemianopia in cerebral infarction is generally less severe compared to cerebral hemorrhage, and does not involve bleeding. Symptoms of cerebral hemorrhage are more severe. Treatment for cerebral infarction focuses on active anticoagulation and thrombolytic therapy, while cerebral hemorrhage requires prompt hemostasis and reduction of intracranial pressure.
The differences between cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage in terms of symptoms lie in the onset speed, severity of symptoms, treatment methods, etc.
1. Onset Speed
Cerebral infarction usually has a subacute onset. Patients may experience hemiplegia, sensory deficits on one side of the body, impaired consciousness, and speech difficulties upon waking up after a night's sleep, with symptoms typically developing over several hours. Cerebral hemorrhage generally has an acute onset, leading to rapid development of symptoms such as altered consciousness, headache, nausea, and vomiting within a short period of time.
2. Severity of Symptoms
Generally, the "three偏" (hemiplegia, hemisensory loss, hemianopia) symptoms of cerebral infarction are not as severe as those of cerebral hemorrhage, and there is no bleeding involved. In contrast, symptoms of cerebral hemorrhage—such as nausea, vomiting, increased intracranial pressure, and impaired consciousness—are typically very severe.
3. Treatment Methods
Treatment for cerebral infarction usually involves active anticoagulation and thrombolytic therapy. For cerebral hemorrhage, immediate hemostasis and reduction of intracranial pressure are required. Additionally, the recurrence rate of cerebral infarction is generally lower than that of cerebral hemorrhage. If the volume of bleeding in cerebral hemorrhage is large, the prognosis is often poor, and patients may develop serious sequelae.
