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What Causes Numbness In Arm, Neck And Face?

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Posted on Thu, 5 Nov 2015
Question: my arm,neck, and face, becomes numb. It usually goes away in 5 mins or less. the other day I had dubble vision, if I closed one eye I could see ok, it went away after 5 min or so. I also felt dizzy like i was drunk for about 10 mins.
The numbness in the arm, neck and face happens every once in a while.
do you know what I should do about this oar what it might be caused from?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Possible transient ischemic attack.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

Those symptoms are worrying and need attention. They look like a TIA which stands for transient ischemic attack, meaning temporary lack of blood supply in an area of the brain causing symptoms in the body regions covered by that area. If it was only the numbness episodes one might make other hypothesis like a partial seizure (which still needs attention) or a migraine aura (in case you suffer migraines), but the double vision episode you describe makes those possibilities less likely. The double vision makes it more possible to be the posterior part of the brain to be involved.

Now while it was temporary as I said it warrants attention because it might be followed by a stroke, with serious consequences (actually TIA is a stroke but a minor one where symptoms regress). For that reason you should undergo some imaging exams such as MRI including angio MRI (MRI of neck vessels), to look for ischemic lesions and for narrowing of your blood vessels caused by atherosclerotic plaques which might also release clots in the circulation apart from directly obstructing blood flow. Heart exams by EKG and ultrasound are also necessary. Those exams are done to identify the cause of the TIA (atherosclerotic plaques, heart arrhythmia are the more common) and to choose treatment with the appropriate blood thinners. If you have conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol those should be addressed as well.
If having those consults and exams will take time for you I would consider taking in the meantime some baby aspirin as a prevention measure (if you do not have any allergy or gastric ulcer which might be exacerbated by it).

I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3672 Questions

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What Causes Numbness In Arm, Neck And Face?

Brief Answer: Possible transient ischemic attack. Detailed Answer: I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. Those symptoms are worrying and need attention. They look like a TIA which stands for transient ischemic attack, meaning temporary lack of blood supply in an area of the brain causing symptoms in the body regions covered by that area. If it was only the numbness episodes one might make other hypothesis like a partial seizure (which still needs attention) or a migraine aura (in case you suffer migraines), but the double vision episode you describe makes those possibilities less likely. The double vision makes it more possible to be the posterior part of the brain to be involved. Now while it was temporary as I said it warrants attention because it might be followed by a stroke, with serious consequences (actually TIA is a stroke but a minor one where symptoms regress). For that reason you should undergo some imaging exams such as MRI including angio MRI (MRI of neck vessels), to look for ischemic lesions and for narrowing of your blood vessels caused by atherosclerotic plaques which might also release clots in the circulation apart from directly obstructing blood flow. Heart exams by EKG and ultrasound are also necessary. Those exams are done to identify the cause of the TIA (atherosclerotic plaques, heart arrhythmia are the more common) and to choose treatment with the appropriate blood thinners. If you have conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol those should be addressed as well. If having those consults and exams will take time for you I would consider taking in the meantime some baby aspirin as a prevention measure (if you do not have any allergy or gastric ulcer which might be exacerbated by it). I remain at your disposal for further questions.