[49F] Experiencing dizziness, headache, and left-sided weakness

Patient Description

A 49-year-old female reports a week and a half of lightheadedness, peaking at a severity of 7 out of 10, worsening with walking, and more noticeable midday after several hours of being awake. The episodes last approximately 30 minutes and recur throughout the day. Additionally, she has had a sharp headache on the top left side of her cranium for 2 days, rated at a severity of 5 out of 10, and has not experienced this type of headache before. She also reports left-sided hand and foot numbness and decreased alertness that started 1 day ago, with the weakness described as mild and occurring throughout the day, lasting 30 minutes to an hour, usually triggered by stress. The patient has also been experiencing extreme fatigue, decreased appetite, and nausea for 3 days, contributing to a weight loss of 7 lbs over the past month. Her medical history includes hypertension diagnosed 5 years ago and being born with a single functioning kidney. She is currently on Buproprion 100 mg and has no known drug allergies.

Show More

Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, here are some possible explanations for your symptoms:

  • Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or Stroke: Your symptoms of lightheadedness, headache, blurred vision, decreased alertness, and left-sided weakness could be signs of a TIA or stroke. These conditions occur when blood flow to a part of your brain is blocked or reduced, often by a blood clot. High blood pressure, like you have, is a risk factor for these conditions.

    • Treatment typically involves medications to prevent blood clots and control symptoms, and sometimes surgery.
  • Migraine: Migraines can cause severe headaches, nausea, and symptoms like blurred vision (aura). However, they don't usually cause one-sided weakness.

    • Treatment typically involves medications to stop symptoms and prevent future attacks.
  • Hypertension: Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause headaches, lightheadedness, and blurred vision. However, it doesn't usually cause one-sided weakness.

    • Treatment typically involves lifestyle changes and medications to lower blood pressure.
  • Side Effects of Medication: Both Lisinopril and Buproprion can cause dizziness and headaches. Lisinopril can also cause fatigue and decreased appetite.

    • Treatment typically involves adjusting the medication under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

Please remember that this is not an exhaustive list of all possible conditions, and having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have one of these conditions.

What you can do

Given the severity and sudden onset of your symptoms, it's important to seek immediate medical attention. Please go to the emergency department or call an ambulance right away.

What you should look out for

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention:

  • Sudden, severe headache
  • Trouble speaking or understanding speech
  • Sudden numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of your body
  • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination

Remember, I'm an AI and this advice is based on the information you've given me. It's always important to consult with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Show More

1
 Hugs
0
 Comments

Save

10 mo ago

People Also Ask


What are the common symptoms of a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or stroke?

Common symptoms of a TIA or stroke include sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body, confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech, vision problems, dizziness, and severe headache.


Can migraines cause one-sided weakness?

Migraines typically do not cause one-sided weakness. They are more commonly associated with severe headaches, nausea, and visual disturbances known as aura.


How can high blood pressure contribute to headaches and lightheadedness?

High blood pressure can lead to headaches and lightheadedness by causing increased pressure in the blood vessels, which can affect blood flow to the brain. It is important to manage blood pressure to prevent these symptoms.


What are the potential side effects of Buproprion?

Potential side effects of Buproprion include dizziness, headache, dry mouth, nausea, and insomnia. It is important to discuss any side effects with a healthcare provider.


Preview

Post

No comments yet

Be the first one to comment

Share your feedback