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What Causes Severe Headache, Facial Numbness And Tingling In Arms?

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Posted on Mon, 18 Jul 2016
Question: My 50 year old wife had an episode about 2 weeks ago while working out in the yard. She had been out for a few hours when she began to feel very weak, had a severe headache, her face got numb and tingly and her so did her arms. She could barely walk because her legs were in a lot of pain but also felt numb and wobbly. She could not see well either . Her breathing was also affected. She made it into the house and got something to drink. She went to lay down and was barely able to get up later in the evening. Since that day she has had severe headaches and no energy. All she is able to do most of the time is lay in bed or sleep. She does know who she is and where she is but she does at times get confused and has trouble getting her words out some while talking.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bruno Mascarenhas (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Dysfunction of brain due to reduced blood supply : Needs Urgent ER Care

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to HealthCareMagic.com I am Dr.J XXXXXXX Anto Bruno Mascarenhas, and I am here to help you. I have read your question with care and understand that you 50 year old wife has

1. WEAKNESS (Had an episode about 2 weeks ago while working out in the yard. She had been out for a few hours when she began to feel very weak)
2. HEADACHE (had a severe headache)
3. NUMBNESS FACE (her face got numb and tingly and her)
4. NUMBNESS ARMS (so did her arms)
5. WEAKNESS (She could barely walk because her legs were in a lot of pain but also felt numb and wobbly)
6. VISUAL DISTURBANCES (She could not see well either)
7. IRREGULAR BREATHING (Her breathing was also affected)
8. WEAKNESS (She made it into the house and got something to drink. She went to lay down and was barely able to get up later in the evening)
9. HEADACHES (Since that day she has had severe headaches and no energy)
10. CONFUSION (All she is able to do most of the time is lay in bed or sleep. She does know who she is and where she is but she does at times get confused and)
11. SPEECH DISTURBANCES (has trouble getting her words out some while talking)

In Short, She has
1. Confusion
2. Speech Disturbances
3. Visual Disturbances
4. Weakness
5. Numbness

All these point out dysfunction of brain due to reduced blood supply to vital areas of the brain.

This reduced blood supply can be due to
1. Block in Vessels
2. Reduced Cardiac Output

Any of these causes need urgent intervention by a Neurosurgeon and / or Cardiologist

I request that she visits ER at the earliest

Hope you found the answer helpful.

If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions.

Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.

-oOo-

PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.

PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bruno Mascarenhas (23 hours later)
My 50 year old wife concerning heat stroke went to e r. Had test done. Doctors said she probably had a light heat stroke, but CT scan was good. Gave her IV fluids pain meds through IV for bad headache. Then she was given steroids shot and a shot for anxiety. She then lay there and rest for 1 hour. Headache eased up and we were allowed to come home with appt. Scheduled with family doc first of week. She is resting comfortably at this time. Thanks for your support.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bruno Mascarenhas (20 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Glad to know that she has recovered

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,

I am glad to know that you have visited the ER in time and have taken appropriate treatment and that she has recovered

If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions.

Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.

-oOo-

PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.

PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bruno Mascarenhas (16 days later)
Hey Dr. XXXXXXX I'm the patient, XXXXXXX I'm not getting completely well yet . Still having bad headaches , confusion, dizziness, very unsteady on my feet and etc. Dr said ct scan showed no blood or tumor and all blood work was fine. No further tests have been run. I'm still sleeping more than I have in my life and also having flare ups of other medical conditions. Arthritis in knees have me to the point of needing help to get up and down. Orthopedic surgeon says x-rays didn't look good but I'm too young for knee replacement. Since the day of the heat stroke/ exhaustion, everything that I have dealt with is worse. Have a really tough time getting my words out, confused to the point of embarrassment sometimes. Vision is very blurry but eye dr doesn't know why. I have started having lots of anxiety and recently started with so many fearful feelings. Ive never been afraid of many things . Now I'm jumpy and the least bump in the night makes my heart race. Do you think this could all be tied together ? I can barely leave my house due to All of these symptoms. Thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bruno Mascarenhas (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You need to undergo a MRI Brain

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

Your present complaints are

1. headaches ,
2. confusion,
3. dizziness,
4. still sleeping more
5. Have a really tough time getting my words out, confused to the point of embarrassment sometimes.
6. very unsteady on my feet and etc.
7. Vision is very blurry but eye dr doesn't know why.
8. Dr said ct scan showed no blood or tumor and all blood work was fine. No further tests have been run.

All these point out to reduced blood supply to brain
CT Scan can detect bleeding or tumour, but may not detect reduced blood supply

I believe you need a MRI Brain with MRA and MRV
Kindly consult a Neurosurgeon or Neurologist for Workup

If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions.

Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.

-oOo-

PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.

PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Bruno Mascarenhas

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 813 Questions

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What Causes Severe Headache, Facial Numbness And Tingling In Arms?

Brief Answer: Dysfunction of brain due to reduced blood supply : Needs Urgent ER Care Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to HealthCareMagic.com I am Dr.J XXXXXXX Anto Bruno Mascarenhas, and I am here to help you. I have read your question with care and understand that you 50 year old wife has 1. WEAKNESS (Had an episode about 2 weeks ago while working out in the yard. She had been out for a few hours when she began to feel very weak) 2. HEADACHE (had a severe headache) 3. NUMBNESS FACE (her face got numb and tingly and her) 4. NUMBNESS ARMS (so did her arms) 5. WEAKNESS (She could barely walk because her legs were in a lot of pain but also felt numb and wobbly) 6. VISUAL DISTURBANCES (She could not see well either) 7. IRREGULAR BREATHING (Her breathing was also affected) 8. WEAKNESS (She made it into the house and got something to drink. She went to lay down and was barely able to get up later in the evening) 9. HEADACHES (Since that day she has had severe headaches and no energy) 10. CONFUSION (All she is able to do most of the time is lay in bed or sleep. She does know who she is and where she is but she does at times get confused and) 11. SPEECH DISTURBANCES (has trouble getting her words out some while talking) In Short, She has 1. Confusion 2. Speech Disturbances 3. Visual Disturbances 4. Weakness 5. Numbness All these point out dysfunction of brain due to reduced blood supply to vital areas of the brain. This reduced blood supply can be due to 1. Block in Vessels 2. Reduced Cardiac Output Any of these causes need urgent intervention by a Neurosurgeon and / or Cardiologist I request that she visits ER at the earliest Hope you found the answer helpful. If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions. Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care. -oOo- PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback. PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno