According
to western medicine, strokes can be separated into two categories: ischemic
strokes and hemorrhagic strokes. More commonly are ischemic strokes which occur
when a blood clot forms in the brain and blocks the blood flow to the brain. Another
way an ischemic stroke can occur is if a blood clot forms in another part of
the body and breaks free and gets lodged in the brain (an embolism). Within the
category of hemorrhagic strokes, there are two subcategories: subarachnoid hemorrhage
and cerebral hemorrhage. A subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs when a blood vessel in
the brain ruptures, filling the spaces inside the brain with blood. A cerebral
hemorrhage occurs when an artery inside the brain ruptures and fills the surrounding
tissues with blood (1).
Ischemic
strokes can occur when plaque builds up in the blood vessels, or if there is a deformity
in the valves of the heart due to endocarditis (2). To treat ischemic strokes,
blood thinners, anti-platelet agents and clot busters are used to restore blood
flow to the brain. In severe cases, procedures to widen the artery (angioplasty)
or to remove the plaque from the artery (carotid endarterectomy) are used (1).
Hemorrhagic strokes are most commonly caused by high blood pressure, second to
that being trauma or an aneurysm (1, 2).
Treatments of hemorrhagic strokes are different because prescribing
blood thinners can often make the bleeding worse. Instead, a patient will be
prescribed medication to lower blood pressure if the stroke is due to high
blood pressure. If the stroke is not due to high blood pressure, surgery might
be performed; such as an aneurysm clipping or coil embolization (3).
In
Chinese medicine, strokes relate to the Spleen, Liver and Kidney systems.
Certain life style choices put stress and strain on the body which create
weaknesses of Qi, Xue and Yin, in turn, allowing the body to be overcome by
wind, phlegm, fire and stasis. Detrimental life style choices include;
emotional stress, overwork without enough rest, excessive physical activity,
irregular eating habits, poor appetite and excessive strenuous activity. The
patterns associated with stroke are: Liver Wind, Liver Yang Rising, Qi or Xue
Stasis, or Phlegm Fire. This blocks the flow of blood to the brain, leading to
a stroke (4).
Common
formulas to treat stroke are Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang in cases of Liver Yin Xu
allowing for Liver Yang Rising; Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang in cases of Qi Xu leading
to stasis; Ren Shen Zai Zao San to be administered immediately after the
stroke; Tong Qiao Hou Xue Tang in cases of a mild Xue Stagnation; Tian Ma Gou
Teng Yin in cases of excessive Liver Wind; or Zhong Feng Hui Chun Wan in cases
of Phlegm Fire.
Works Cited:
4.
http://www.altmd.com/Articles/TCM-for-Stroke
