Cerebrale arteriosclerosis
- Article
- 2021-03-05
Cerebral arteriosclerosis results from thickening and hardening of the walls of the arteries in the brain. Symptoms of cerebral arteriosclerosis are headache, facial pain and visual impairment.
Cerebral arteriosclerosis can cause serious health problems. If the walls of an artery are too thick, or if a blood clot gets into the narrow passage, blood flow to the brain can be blocked and cause an ischemic stroke. When the thickening and hardening is uneven, arterial walls can develop bulges (called aneurysms). If a bump ruptures, bleeding in the brain can cause a hemorrhagic stroke. Both types of stroke can be fatal.
Cerebral arteriosclerosis is also related to a condition known as vascular dementia, in which small, symptom-free strokes cause cumulative damage and death to neurons (nerve cells) in the brain. Personality changes in the elderly, such as apathy, crying, transient confusion, or irritability, may indicate that cerebral arteriosclerosis is present in the brain. Computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain can help reveal the presence of cerebral arteriosclerosis before ischemic strokes, hemorrhagic strokes, or vascular dementia develop.
Therapy
Treatment for cerebral arteriosclerosis may include medication or surgery. Doctors may also recommend treatments to help people control high blood pressure, quit smoking, and lower cholesterol, all risk factors for cerebral arteriosclerosis.
Prognosis
Cerebral arteriosclerosis can lead to life-threatening health events, such as ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes. Stroke survivors can have long-term neurological and motor disabilities.
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