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What Causes Numbness On Left Side Of Face And Body In An Elderly Person?
Question: I am 56 years old and recently experiencing numbness on left side of face and body. After going to ER they checked heart and now want me to see neurologist. Also want me to asked Mir but it's going to take forever to get in. I lie in bed with my face and body feeling numb with nothing to do but wait. I'm afraid I may have had a stroke or something and need treatment as soon as possible. (Female).....How do I speed up my potential treatment needed to help me?
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Stroke is a possibility which must have been considered by the ER personnel, the fact that they checked your heart as well must have been precisely to look for arrhythmia which is one of the main causes for stroke. If the onset of the numbness was acute I would also have done a CT scan perhaps, I wonder if that was done in your case.
Anyway since they cleared you to go that is because one physical exam they found no neurological signs, no indications of stroke, otherwise I am sure they would have kept you. So you should try to go on with your life and not lie in bed waiting for something to happen.
Now there are of course atypical manifestations of stroke. That is why they recommended a MRI just to be sure, also to exclude other issues such as MS, tumors etc. Unfortunately you will have to wait the scheduled date since the ER found no indication of an urgent admission.
In terms of stroke treatment in order to have some prevention you might take low dose aspirin till the MRI. Ischemic stroke treatment with blood thinners in any case consists either in antiagregants like aspirin or in anticoagulants which are given mainly when there is a cardiac cause, so taking so called baby aspirin would allow the protection you seem to desire till the appointment.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Stroke is a possibility which must have been considered by the ER personnel, the fact that they checked your heart as well must have been precisely to look for arrhythmia which is one of the main causes for stroke. If the onset of the numbness was acute I would also have done a CT scan perhaps, I wonder if that was done in your case.
Anyway since they cleared you to go that is because one physical exam they found no neurological signs, no indications of stroke, otherwise I am sure they would have kept you. So you should try to go on with your life and not lie in bed waiting for something to happen.
Now there are of course atypical manifestations of stroke. That is why they recommended a MRI just to be sure, also to exclude other issues such as MS, tumors etc. Unfortunately you will have to wait the scheduled date since the ER found no indication of an urgent admission.
In terms of stroke treatment in order to have some prevention you might take low dose aspirin till the MRI. Ischemic stroke treatment with blood thinners in any case consists either in antiagregants like aspirin or in anticoagulants which are given mainly when there is a cardiac cause, so taking so called baby aspirin would allow the protection you seem to desire till the appointment.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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