A hand goes numb and you shake it off. A dizzy spell passes and you carry on. A moment of slurred words gets blamed on tiredness. The nervous system rarely shouts, and that is exactly why its signals are so easy to ignore.
Some of these symptoms are harmless and fleeting. A few are the body's early warning of something that needs action today. Knowing which is which is genuinely worth your time.
What the nervous system does
Your nervous system is the body's wiring. It has two main parts. The central nervous system is the brain and spinal cord, the control centre. The peripheral nerves are the cables that run out to every muscle and patch of skin, carrying instructions out and sensation back.
Because this system touches everything, its symptoms can appear anywhere: movement, sensation, balance, speech, vision, memory and mood. That variety is why the same advice cannot cover every case, but the warning signs below apply broadly.
Stroke: the one you must recognise
A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly cut off, either by a clot or a bleed, and brain cells begin to die within minutes. It is one of the most important medical emergencies there is, and fast treatment can be the difference between recovery and lasting disability.
The signs come on suddenly. A simple way to remember them is the word FAST. Face drooping on one side. Arm weakness, where one arm drifts down when both are raised. Speech that is slurred or muddled. Time, meaning it is time to call for emergency help immediately.
Numbness, tingling and weakness
Pins and needles in a hand or foot that comes and goes, often from leaning on a nerve, is usually harmless. It is more concerning when numbness or weakness is persistent, spreading, affects one whole side, or comes with other symptoms.
Ongoing numbness and tingling in the hands or feet can also be a sign of peripheral neuropathy, nerve damage that is commonly caused by diabetes. Since diabetes is common in Trinidad and Tobago, this is a frequent and treatable reason for these symptoms, and a blood test can help uncover it.
Dizziness and balance
Dizziness is one of the most common complaints and one of the most varied. It may be a spinning sensation called vertigo, often coming from the balance organs of the inner ear, or a light headed feeling that can come from blood pressure, dehydration or the heart.
Most dizziness is not dangerous, but it deserves assessment when it is severe, keeps recurring, or comes with the stroke warning signs above, with hearing loss, or with fainting. A doctor can sort the harmless causes from the ones that need investigation.
Seizures and fits
A seizure is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It can cause shaking and loss of consciousness, but it can also be subtle, such as a blank staring spell or strange repetitive movements. A first ever seizure always needs medical assessment to find the cause.
Persistent headaches and other signals
A new headache pattern, a headache that is steadily worsening over weeks, or one that is worst in the early morning deserves review. So do unexplained changes in memory, personality or behaviour, new problems with vision, or difficulty with coordination. None of these mean the worst, but all are reasons to be examined.
How the nervous system is assessed
It starts with a careful history and a neurological examination, where the doctor tests your strength, sensation, reflexes, balance, coordination and vision. That examination alone reveals a great deal about where a problem lies.
Blood tests can uncover contributors such as diabetes, thyroid problems or vitamin deficiencies, and our laboratory is on site. When imaging of the brain is needed, CT scanning is available here. If a condition needs the care of a neurologist, a doctor who specialises in the nervous system, we can arrange a referral.
What to do next
If any symptom in this article came on suddenly, particularly weakness, numbness, or trouble speaking or seeing, stop reading and come to Accident and Emergency now.
If your concern is a slower one, a lingering numbness, recurring dizziness, or a changing headache, book a consultation. An examination and the right tests can either set your mind at rest or catch a problem while it is still easy to treat.
Worried about numbness, dizziness or weakness? Get assessed at Newtown.
Our doctors can assess neurological symptoms, our laboratory can look for causes in the blood, and CT scanning is available on site at 55 Woodford Street, Port of Spain when imaging is needed. If specialist neurology care is required, we can refer you. Most assessments are completed in a single visit. Our Accident and Emergency department is open 24 hours, and a suspected stroke is a same minute emergency.
This article is for general education only and is not a substitute for personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your own health. If you believe you have a medical emergency, call or visit our 24-hour Accident and Emergency department immediately.