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What Causes Left Sided Numbness On The Tongue?
Question: about 4 months ago I noticed numbness in the left side of my tongue, doctors sent me to the ER--no stroke, I later saw an EENT who said it was a viral attack. But now my tongue remains numb, has lost significant muscle tone, and is affecting my swallowing and speech. Any idea what could be causing this?
Brief Answer:
Possible degenerative neurological disorder.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your query and understand your concerns.
One side of tongue muscle tone loss and numbness means than one of cranial nerves function is affected.
It is important also to evaluate if the swallowing and speech problems are related to tongue weakness or are part of neurological diseases such multiple sclerosis etc.
Those clinical signs indicate that brainstem function is affected in some way.
It is necessary for you to consult a Neurologist and to be examined clinically and to have appropriate tests ( such as MRI, Evoked Potentials & some others) in order to achieve a correct diagnosis.
If neurological conditions are excluded after the examinations, we can think that it was a viral infection that affected nerves.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
Possible degenerative neurological disorder.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your query and understand your concerns.
One side of tongue muscle tone loss and numbness means than one of cranial nerves function is affected.
It is important also to evaluate if the swallowing and speech problems are related to tongue weakness or are part of neurological diseases such multiple sclerosis etc.
Those clinical signs indicate that brainstem function is affected in some way.
It is necessary for you to consult a Neurologist and to be examined clinically and to have appropriate tests ( such as MRI, Evoked Potentials & some others) in order to achieve a correct diagnosis.
If neurological conditions are excluded after the examinations, we can think that it was a viral infection that affected nerves.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
So if it is just the result of a viral infection, what is the treatment plan? long-term prognosis?
Brief Answer:
Other conditions need to be excluded first.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for being on follow up.
Nerve disorders affected by viral infection usually don't last that long, the symptoms improve with time.
It is my opinion that first is needed to exclude other causes.
If in the end, only viral etiology results, then the virus should be isolated and antiviral therapy according to the kind of virus is indicated.
Hope this helps.
Best regards.
Other conditions need to be excluded first.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for being on follow up.
Nerve disorders affected by viral infection usually don't last that long, the symptoms improve with time.
It is my opinion that first is needed to exclude other causes.
If in the end, only viral etiology results, then the virus should be isolated and antiviral therapy according to the kind of virus is indicated.
Hope this helps.
Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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