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What Causes Mild Headache, Dizziness And Facial Numbness?
Question: Two days ago woke up with mild headache, some dizziness, slight queeziness, bilateral facial numbness, some tingling. Head feels fussy, symptoms still persist, less so queezy feeling gone. I'm 65 yr old female. History of breast cancer14 yrs ago.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Those symptoms you describe are unfortunately not very specific, meaning they can be found in the setting of several conditions, which makes it hard to make a straightforward diagnosis based on the symptoms alone.
One possibility for those manifestations would be that of high blood pressure, which can often manifest with some headache and dizziness. Some blood pressure measurements are advised.
Another possibility would be that of neck arthritis. Arthritis of the upper neck levels may cause pain radiating in the head as well as balance issues due to compression of the nerves providing information on the head and neck position hence contributing in stability. A neck x-ray would provide some more information. Medication like Motrin for short periods of time and physical therapy would be the appropriate management.
The other possibility which I suppose you are more worried about would be that of a brain issue such as stroke. It can't be completely excluded. However it is not that likely as usually there are other symptoms such as double vision or vision loss, weakness of the limbs, movement coordination difficulties, balance issues are usually more marked, making walking independently very difficult. So I do not think it very likely. But to feel assured about that you should consult your primary physician as sometimes on physical exams there might be noticed signs which you might have missed.
Some routine blood tests are also advised to exclude issues such as anemia, infections, metabolic alterations (tests like blood count, blood glucose, liver and kidney function, electrolyte panel).
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Those symptoms you describe are unfortunately not very specific, meaning they can be found in the setting of several conditions, which makes it hard to make a straightforward diagnosis based on the symptoms alone.
One possibility for those manifestations would be that of high blood pressure, which can often manifest with some headache and dizziness. Some blood pressure measurements are advised.
Another possibility would be that of neck arthritis. Arthritis of the upper neck levels may cause pain radiating in the head as well as balance issues due to compression of the nerves providing information on the head and neck position hence contributing in stability. A neck x-ray would provide some more information. Medication like Motrin for short periods of time and physical therapy would be the appropriate management.
The other possibility which I suppose you are more worried about would be that of a brain issue such as stroke. It can't be completely excluded. However it is not that likely as usually there are other symptoms such as double vision or vision loss, weakness of the limbs, movement coordination difficulties, balance issues are usually more marked, making walking independently very difficult. So I do not think it very likely. But to feel assured about that you should consult your primary physician as sometimes on physical exams there might be noticed signs which you might have missed.
Some routine blood tests are also advised to exclude issues such as anemia, infections, metabolic alterations (tests like blood count, blood glucose, liver and kidney function, electrolyte panel).
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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