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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does Numbness In The Right Arm Indicate?

I am a very healthy active 61 year old and a nurse. Soon after I got home from work today, my right arm felt like it had fallen asleep. I then was unable to complete a sentence and I could not make sense of a text message that I was checking at the same time as the feeling in my arm. The episode lasted from about 20 min and I seem to be back to normal. Should I be concerned? I do not think that this was a mini stroke. I have no history of stroke in my family and my BP is 110/70 and my pulse is 54. Any ideas of what this could have happened?
Fri, 3 Nov 2017
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Ayurveda Specialist 's  Response
**
Thanks for contacting with your health concern

1. As there was a history of sudden confusion, slurring of speech [unable to complete a sentece] or understanding [make sense of texting], sudden numbness [right arm has fallen asleep] thus it probably was a mini-stroke or TIA [transient ischaemic attack].

2. You can have a stroke and yet don't know it since symptoms caused by mini-stroke can be undetectable if the tissue damaged by it does not serve a critical function.

PS. unlike a stroke, TIA doesn't kill brain tissue or cause permanent disabilities but since symptoms are nearly identical you should seek medical attention at once [since people with TIA can later experience a stroke]

3. Since TIA lasts for as briefly as one minute so, by the time your doctor evaluates, you will be asymptomatic so you have to describe the events after your symptoms have disappeared.

4. apart from medical examination one has to look out for any associated risk factor that can contribute to TIA/stroke, like:
. blood pressure, blood sugar.
. lipid profile, overweight.

5. The only way to tell the difference as to what has happened [TIA or stroke] is to get a Neurologist opinion along with necessary investigation like C.T or M.R.I. scan, who may also check with
- carotid ultrasound.
- echocardiogram [for any blood clots].
- EKG & Chest X-ray.

6. Only after exhaustive examination and investigation, treatment will be initiated on starting or adjusting medications that improve blood flow to the brain [antiplatelets/anticoagulants], along with lifestyle modifications like:
- maintain ideal body weight
- regular exercise, low salt intake
- eating fresh fruits & vegetables
- reducing undue physical/mental stress.
- routine blood investigations and keeping the level within normal limits.
- proper and adequate sleep.
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What Does Numbness In The Right Arm Indicate?

** Thanks for contacting with your health concern 1. As there was a history of sudden confusion, slurring of speech [unable to complete a sentece] or understanding [make sense of texting], sudden numbness [right arm has fallen asleep] thus it probably was a mini-stroke or TIA [transient ischaemic attack]. 2. You can have a stroke and yet don t know it since symptoms caused by mini-stroke can be undetectable if the tissue damaged by it does not serve a critical function. PS. unlike a stroke, TIA doesn t kill brain tissue or cause permanent disabilities but since symptoms are nearly identical you should seek medical attention at once [since people with TIA can later experience a stroke] 3. Since TIA lasts for as briefly as one minute so, by the time your doctor evaluates, you will be asymptomatic so you have to describe the events after your symptoms have disappeared. 4. apart from medical examination one has to look out for any associated risk factor that can contribute to TIA/stroke, like: . blood pressure, blood sugar. . lipid profile, overweight. 5. The only way to tell the difference as to what has happened [TIA or stroke] is to get a Neurologist opinion along with necessary investigation like C.T or M.R.I. scan, who may also check with - carotid ultrasound. - echocardiogram [for any blood clots]. - EKG & Chest X-ray. 6. Only after exhaustive examination and investigation, treatment will be initiated on starting or adjusting medications that improve blood flow to the brain [antiplatelets/anticoagulants], along with lifestyle modifications like: - maintain ideal body weight - regular exercise, low salt intake - eating fresh fruits & vegetables - reducing undue physical/mental stress. - routine blood investigations and keeping the level within normal limits. - proper and adequate sleep.