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Q: Numbness in L side: early sign of stroke?
asked by: DoctorQuestion on January 22nd, 2007
Doctor Question
Here is my story, last Tues. I was doing some housework, and went to make a step, and noticed my left leg and arm was numb, was like I was walking on an air cusion, left side only, like I had a force against my arm, leg and foot..didn't fall...was like a rubber band...went to lay down on the couch for awhile..got up and still had a problem, like I didn't have much control over my leg. This all lasted almost two hours before I was completly back to normal.

What could it have been? I didn't go to the doctor, cause I was home alone, and my husband was at work, and didn't want to bother him, just in case it was nothing to worry about...just wondering what it could have been. Should I be concerned?

Looking Forward to getting an answere.
Thank You
Kathy


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DoctorAnswer replied on January 26th, 2007
Doctor Answer
General Q&A Answer A2210
According to the symptoms you describe (the left arm and leg have become numb for 2 hours) and given your medical history (high blood pressure and cholesterol), you might have experienced some type of transitory ischemic attack (TIA). TIA is a kind of cerebral-vascular disorder where a thrombus stacks in a brain artery (embolia) and causes a temporary stop in blood flow (ischemia). The fibrinolitic system in the blood dissolves the thrombus and restores the blood circulation before irreversible brain damage (necrosis) can occur. That’s why the symptoms (no matter the severity) last only temporarily. The type of neurological symptoms of TIA depend upon the location of the ischemic area in the brain. TIA is not a serious condition by itself because all the symptoms disappear completely. However, TIA is a warning that something more serious is on the way, like a stroke. You must regularly control your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar and take all the necessary medications for them if you want to prevent another TIA or a stroke.


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