Concern About Sudden Loss of Sensation
I’m reaching out on behalf of my father (M68). He has a history of various health issues, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and an underactive thyroid. Earlier today, while he was at work, he experienced a sudden loss of sensation on one side of his body and felt dizzy. Fortunately, these symptoms have now subsided, and he is currently able to walk and speak without any trouble. He claims to feel "fine" and is resistant to the idea of visiting a hospital. I'm apprehensive that he might have had a stroke considering his age and existing health risks. How critical is it for him to seek medical attention? Should he still consider going to the emergency room even though he has improved?
Answers (1)
2/9/2026, 11:30:42 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about your father's sudden loss of sensation and dizziness, especially given his health history. While it's positive that his symptoms have resolved, the combination of these symptoms in someone his age and with existing conditions raises important concerns.
Key Points:
- Sudden loss of sensation and dizziness can be warning signs of serious conditions, such as a stroke.
- Even if symptoms have improved, medical evaluation is crucial to rule out serious underlying issues.
Explanation:
Transient symptoms like your father's can be indicative of a transient ischemic attack (TIA), often referred to as a "mini-stroke," which can precede a full stroke. TIAs can resolve quickly but are significant warning signs. Given his age and medical history, it's vital not to dismiss these incidents.
Next Steps:
-
Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Although your father feels fine now, it is essential for him to visit a healthcare provider for evaluation. Encourage him to consider going to the emergency room, as timely assessment can prevent further complications.
-
Document the Incident: Note the time of the symptoms, duration, and any other details (like how he felt before, during, and after). This information can be very helpful for healthcare professionals.
-
Monitor for Recurrence: Keep an eye on him for any further episodes of loss of sensation, dizziness, or any new symptoms. If they occur again, seek emergency care right away.
-
Discuss Long-term Management: Once evaluated, ensure that there is a plan in place for managing his risk factors, including blood pressure, diabetes, and thyroid function.
While it may feel inconvenient for him to go to the hospital, prioritizing his health is essential. Please encourage him to take this step seriously, as it can prevent potentially serious outcomes.
Related Questions
The Unanswered Questions of Loss
It has been a year since I lost my closest companion. Initially, I was not ready to discover the circumstances surrounding her passing, and I still find myself reluctant to seek answers. This uncertainty doesn't satisfy the part of me that craves understanding. There are numerous possibilities regarding how she may have died, but one fact remains clear: she possessed another person's prescription for hydroxyzine and was taking a relatively high dose of latuda. I often ponder if she experienced any pain in the event of an overdose. She had access to a considerable number of medications due to the frequent adjustments being made to her treatment plan. Additionally, she was prescribed lamotrigine. At the time of her passing, she stood at 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighed approximately 160 pounds. A young woman of only 23, her absence continues to leave a significant void in my life.
Persistent Tonsil Spot Concern
Greetings, I am a 27-year-old male experiencing a stubborn spot on my tonsil that has not responded to repeated saltwater gargles. Interestingly, it does not inflict any pain, yet it gives me the sensation of something stuck in my throat, although I have no trouble swallowing. My medical history is largely unremarkable except for sleep apnea, and I do not engage in smoking. I also have asthma, for which I use an inhaler. This issue has emerged recently, within the past week. In my efforts to address it, I’ve diligently practiced daily saltwater rinses and attempted to dislodge it using a cotton swab, but these methods have not yielded any results. My concern has escalated because the spot has remained unchanged in appearance over the last few days, and I can’t shake the worry that it could indicate a more serious underlying problem.
Seeking Clarity After My Mother's Passing
My mother, who was 55, passed away two weeks ago. She struggled with alcoholism and had been diagnosed with decompensated cirrhosis a year prior to her death. I am trying to understand the circumstances surrounding her passing; the death certificate states it was due to "natural causes related to alcohol abuse," and no autopsy was performed. She had been underweight for some time and had recently started taking a new antidepressant/sleep aid, claiming that it improved her appetite. When we discovered her, she was found in her bed—lights off, television off—indicating she was likely asleep at the time. Alcohol was present at the scene, suggesting she had resumed drinking. What troubles me the most is that the last search on her phone was about vomiting blood, including its appearance and recommended actions. Since it was in private browsing mode, I cannot ascertain whether this search was linked to her death or perhaps from an earlier concern. She had been experiencing nosebleeds for several weeks prior. Overall, I am in search of closure. Is it possible she could have experienced a variceal bleed without any significant mess? Or might it have been an adverse reaction between her medications and alcohol?
Concern Over Ear Infection Symptoms: Should I Return to My Doctor?
I'm a 20-year-old female, standing at 5'6" and weighing 130 pounds, and I was recently diagnosed with an ear infection that started around five days ago. There was no clear cause like a cold or virus; it just seemed to appear unexpectedly. However, over the last day, my symptoms have worsened considerably. My ability to hear from the affected ear has diminished, leaving it feeling very muffled. The discomfort has escalated significantly, and despite taking over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, the pain has disrupted my sleep for several hours over the past two nights. Today, I noticed a concerning development: my ear has begun to leak a thin, bloody fluid. At my last visit to the primary care physician, I was given a prescription for amoxicillin, but I was instructed to hold off on taking it for a few days. According to my doctor, many ear infections tend to resolve on their own. Now, I am considering starting the antibiotics as prescribed, but I’m uncertain if the issues with my hearing and the bleeding are serious enough to warrant a follow-up appointment. Any advice would be appreciated!
Insights on Peroneal Nerve Injury
Hello to everyone reading this, I would like to seek your insight regarding a nerve injury I’ve been dealing with. I am a 26-year-old woman, standing at 5 feet 3 inches, who doesn't smoke and is not on any medications. Just over a year ago, I experienced a traumatic incident where I was shot four times in my leg, resulting in peroneal nerve damage. Since the incident, I find that I haven’t recovered any strength in my leg or foot. At present, I rely on an orthotic device to facilitate my walking, although I have also trained myself to manage without it fairly well. My medical team has indicated that I may need up to two years for recovery. I'm contemplating whether it is wise to wait the entire two-year period before I consider advocating for a nerve decompression surgery. It’s worth mentioning that while my nerve is intact, there is inflammation present around it. I'm wondering if this inflammation will resolve itself over time or if there is more I should be doing beyond physical therapy and standard mobility exercises. Living alone and away from my family, I deeply desire to reclaim a sense of normalcy in my life.