Nervous System Problems: Check Your Symptoms

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Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms or conditions, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Confusion, memory loss, altered behavior, babbling speech, or decreased alertness: Go to the topic Confusion, Memory Loss, and Altered Alertness.
• Generalized muscle weakness or body fatigue: Go to the topic Weakness and Fatigue.
• Headaches: Go to the topic Headaches.
• Changes in vision: Go to the topic Eye Problems, Noninjury.
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, loss of balance, or a whirling sensation: Go to the topic Dizziness: Lightheadedness and Vertigo.
• Nervous system problems that began after a head injury: Go to the topic Head Injury, Age 4 and Older or Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger.
• A seizure: Go to the topic Seizures.

Yes

Have you had a temporary loss of function?

Yes

Do you have a persistent nervous system problem, such as a tremor or lack of coordination?

Yes

Do you think your nervous system problem may be caused by a medicine?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• Numbness, tingling, or specific muscle weakness: Go to the topic that most closely describes where these symptoms are felt. If symptoms are felt in:
  • An arm: Go to the topic Arm Problems, Noninjury or Arm Injuries.
  • A leg: Go to the topic Leg Problems, Noninjury or Leg Injuries.
  • A foot or ankle: Go to the topic Toe, Foot, and Ankle Problems, Noninjury or Toe, Foot, and Ankle Injuries.
  • A hip: Go to the topic Hip Problems and Injuries, Age 12 and Older or Hip Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger.
  • A hand or wrist: Go to the topic Finger, Hand, and Wrist Problems, Noninjury or Finger, Hand, and Wrist Injuries.
  • A shoulder: Go to the topic Shoulder Problems and Injuries.
  • The face: Go to the topic Facial Problems, Noninjury or Facial Injuries.
• Symptoms that occur with a fever: Go to the topic Fever, Age 4 and Older or Fever, Age 3 and Younger.
• Sudden loss of hearing or ringing in the ears (tinnitus): Go to the topic Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus).

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

Last updated:	December 28, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer