Dr Ling Feng

 

Cerebrovascular disease (CVD or stroke) is among the least understood diseases that afflict the general public. Strokes are caused by either blood flow blockages or internal bleeding. In other words, strokes are caused by either insufficient blood or excessive blood in the vessels of the brain.

Risk factors

There are many things to look out for in terms of a stroke. The main risk factors are: high blood pressure, excess cholesterol in the bloodstream, diabetes mellitus (DM) and being older than 50. 

People who are at general risk include men (generally, men suffer strokes more than women), those who have a family history of heart disease and those who suffer from sleep apnea. Lifestyle choices can also affect your risk of having a stroke.

People who smoke, drink a lot, do not regularly exercise, often eat high fat foods and are obese are more likely to develop a stroke.

Stroke victims have also been known to experience dental health issues, including bleeding gums, swollen gums, gingivitis, gum recession and loosened teeth.

The Neurosurgery Clinic at Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics (BJU) is committed to providing stroke screening for the prevention and control of strokes in high-risk patients.

If a patient has two main risk factors, or one main risk factor and two or more general risk factors, we highly recommend the patient gets screened.

Symptoms and signs

Strokes occur quickly and can have devastating effects. If someone is experiencing a stroke, the time it takes for the person to receive care makes a big difference in their clinical outcomes, most importantly in terms of reducing mortality and disability.

However, many people do not know what a stroke looks like. Symptoms and signs of a stroke include unexpected weakness or numbness in the face and limbs, sudden blurred vision, deafness and dizziness, and drinking or swallowing difficulties, to list a few.

If you or the people around you experience these symptoms, immediately consult a neurologist. Make sure you note the time of onset of the first symptoms.

An immediate visit to a hospital is very important. If treatment can be given within three hours of the onset of symptoms, the treatment has a much higher chance of preventing disability.

Stroke treatment includes diagnosis followed by medicine and interventional therapy. The BJU Neurosurgery Clinic also provides follow-ups in case patients have a relapse or experience post-stroke depression.

Each high-risk patient's file will also be periodically reviewed and analyzed to design the most appropriate treatment plan.

The hype about hypertension

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is one of the most common causes of strokes.

Blood pressure is the lateral pressure exerted on the walls of our blood vessels when blood flows through. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure exerted when our heart contracts. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure exerted when our hearts are at rest.

Hypertension is when blood pressure continually exceeds the normal range.

The problem of cholesterol

When lipid (fat) metabolism is inefficient in our bodies, fatty material can be deposited onto the inner walls of our arteries. This deposition is called atherosclerosis, which is the main culprit that causes blood clots.

The key to treating this condition is to reduce bad cholesterol in our bloodstreams. Healthy lifestyle choices are the best way to keep the level of bad cholesterol to a minimum and reduce our risk of a stroke.

Live a balanced lifestyle, exercise and eat right. Prevent your brain from experiencing any deficits or surpluses where blood is concerned.

For more information please visit www.ufh.com.cn

Dr Ling Feng

Dr Ling Feng first caught the nation's eye when she helped to cure Liu Hairuo, a Phoenix TV host who suffered major head injuries from a traumatic accident.

However, few people know that she is a pioneer in the field of neuroradiology in China. She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral and spinal vascular diseases.

Under her guidance, the discipline of intravascular neuroradiology developed rapidly in China.

Ling's outstanding achievements in academic research have been widely recognized by the international medical community. She has been regularly invited to speak at the World Congress of Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology.

She has delivered presentations in the US, Germany, Japan and other countries.

She has published more than 100 articles and edited more than 10 specialty reference books.

Among these books, Interventional Neuroradiology and Interventional Neuroradiology Imaging have become two of the most authoritative references in their field.

Ling has extensive experience with the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral and spinal vascular diseases, intracranial tumors and spinal tumors.

Her treatment approaches make full use of microsurgical or intravascular interventional techniques.