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What Causes Leg Weakness, Loss Of Balance And Facial Flushing?

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Posted on Fri, 6 Jun 2014
Question: my symptoms include leg weakness, loss of balance and facial flushing and night sweats. what is your differential diagnosis
doctor
Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Myelopathy

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

thanks for your question.

I'm not sure that all of your symptoms can be related however I am concerned about the weakness that you describe and loss of balance / coordination in your leg.

This can be due to a myelopathy which is compression of the spinal cord in the neck by a prolapsed disc or other issue.

The diagnosis can be made by a thorough physical exam and an MRI scan of your cervical spine.

I hope this helps answer your question.

Best wishes
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Karl Logan (1 hour later)
besides the muscle weakness what could be causing the facial flushing
doctor
Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Explanation of fascial flushing

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thats difficult to answer without additional information such as your age, medications and past medical history.

Fascial flushing in itself is not a medical diagnosis or problem and can be normal in many people and normal physiological states.

The cause of fascial flushing are many, here is a list, this is not exhaustive.

Fever
Alcohol flush reaction
An abrupt cessation of physical exertion (resulting in heart output in excess of current muscular need for blood flow)
Emotions: anger, embarrassment (for this reason it is also called erythema pudoris, from the Latinized Greek word for "redness" and the Latin "of embarrassment")
Sexual arousal, especially orgasm, (see section to follow)
Inflammation (for example, caused by allergic reaction or infection)
High doses of non flush free niacin (vitamin B3)
Caffeine consumption
Sexual intercourse
Some recreational drugs, such as alcohol, heroin, cocaine and amphetamines
Carcinoid tumor
Mastocytosis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, especially emphysema (also known as "pink puffer")
Mixing an antibiotic with alcohol
Rosacea
Histamines
Spicy foods
Powerful vasodilators, such as dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers
Herxheimer reaction (caused by antibiotics)
Iron poisoning[citation needed]
Reactive hypoglycemia
Atropine poisoning
keratosis pilaris rubra faceii
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Antiestrogens such as Tamoxifen
Hyperstimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, especially the vagus nerve
ACNES Abdominal Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome, usually in patients who have had abdominal surgery
Compression of the nerve by the sixth thoracic vertebrae
Butorphanol reaction with some narcotic analgesics (since butorphanol is also an antagonist)
Sunburn (erythema)
Polycythemia Vera
Body contact with warm or hot water (hot tub, bath, shower)
Dehydration
Mitral valve disease
Hormonal imbalances such as during the menopause, pregnancy or hyperthyroidism.

As you can see there are many causes listed here and even more diagnosis than this possible.

Best wishes
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Karl Logan

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 705 Questions

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What Causes Leg Weakness, Loss Of Balance And Facial Flushing?

Brief Answer: Myelopathy Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for your question. I'm not sure that all of your symptoms can be related however I am concerned about the weakness that you describe and loss of balance / coordination in your leg. This can be due to a myelopathy which is compression of the spinal cord in the neck by a prolapsed disc or other issue. The diagnosis can be made by a thorough physical exam and an MRI scan of your cervical spine. I hope this helps answer your question. Best wishes