Is A Numb Tongue A Sign Of A Stroke?

The condition of a numb tongue is such a weird feeling. It could be very tingly or feel totally asleep. Some people even lose feeling altogether. For this reason, it is only natural to wonder what the causes are, especially if it happens to you. Oftentimes, a concerned person may ask is a numb tongue a sign of a stroke. Let us go to details about that and see what we should know.

What is a Stroke?

Stroke is really a medical emergency. Blood forms a block inside an artery going to the brain, thus affecting the normal flow of blood into it. Cells in the brain die due to insufficient blood supply as time goes on. Strokes are divided into two classes:

Ischemic Stroke:

It happens when blood does not reach any particular portion of the brain due to the clog created by a clot.

Around 87 percent of all strokes are ischemic.

Hemorrhagic Stroke:

• Bleeding occurs in the brain when a blood vessel bursts.
• Much less common than ischemic stroke but often much more severe.

Why Time Matters:

Some strokes can even kill brain cells or lead to death. The sooner treatment is given, the less damage it does. Early detection of the condition will make a huge difference.

Common Stroke Symptoms

The signs of a stroke depend on which part of the brain is affected. The most well-known symptoms are easy to remember with the acronym FAST:

• Face: One side of the face droops or feels numb.
• Arms: Weakness or numbness in one arm; difficulty raising it.
• Speech: Slurred or difficult-to-understand speech.
• Time: If you see these signs, call emergency services immediately.

Other symptoms might include:

• Sudden confusion.
• Dizziness or trouble walking.
• Severe headache with no known cause.
• Sudden numbness or weakness, often on one side of the body.

Is A Numb Tongue A Sign Of A Stroke?

Right, it’s not really one of the main symptoms a doctor looks for. A numb tongue can happen sometimes when someone has a stroke, particularly if it’s in the areas of the brain controlling sensations in the face and mouth.

A stroke affecting the nerves that connect with the face may cause: Numbness on one side of the face, which may then extend to the tongue.

Difficulty moving or feeling parts of the mouth. Trouble in speaking clearly, which may feel connected to the sensations of the tongue.

Although a numb tongue, for the most part, is not a symptom by itself that indicates stroke, but it is mostly seen in conjunction with other conspicuous signs such as weakness, slurred speech, or confusion.

Other Causes of a Numb Tongue

Your numb tongue does not necessarily mean a stroke avenue; it might be a less critical reason than that. Indeed, many employ lazier means as customarily progressive regarding this sign. On the contrary, some may require attention.

1. Work on the Tooth

Fillings or root canals often involve numbing agents, and as temporary effects, they can also affect the tongue area. In some cases, even slight pressure on nerves during dental work can cause a prolonged numbness effect.

2. Vitamin Deficiencies

A low level of certain vitamins, especially B12, may nerve damage and cause numbness in the tongue or severe areas around such organs. There might be other symptoms such as fatigue or due to some condition that you felt. This then becomes associated with vitamin deficiency.

3. Allergic Reaction

Allergen reactions triggered by the ingestion of foods, medications, or touching a certain substance can have mild effects, such as tingling or numbness around the mouth, including the tongue. Severe reactions may involve anaphylactic shock requiring immediate medical intervention.

4. Anxiety and Stress

Extreme uneasiness usually renders one somewhat hypoactive and energetic in all parts of the body to give rise to stress responses from the surrounding environment. At that level, the nerves are usually not fully discharged and may be found engaging in tingling or numb sensations in the tongue or mouth.

5. Nerve Damage or Irritation

Injuries or unusual postures can suddenly dent the memory of a nerve, a case for these nervous parts too, making it numb temporarily.

6. Migraines

Certain migraine patients experience projections of the event by involvement of the sensations of numb face or tongue.

7. Multiple Sclerosis

MS attacks people’s nervous systems and leads to the strange sensation of their tongues becoming numb.

How to Tell if a Numb Tongue is Serious

No need to feel alarmed every moment with the slightest weird feeling on your tongue. But you must know when it’s actually signaling serious problems. Immediately call emergency services in case numbness of the tongue is associated with:

• Abnormal weakness on one side of the face/body
• Difficulty speaking or understanding speech.
• Difficulty in walking, dizziness, or loss of balance.

A sudden severe headache

If numbness of the tongue is typically isolated and resolves relatively quickly, it becomes less likely to be a stroke; however, always better to be safer than sorry and get evaluated.

Causative Diagnosis of a Numb Tongue

A doctor will most likely start asking some questions relating to your symptoms. For example:

How long you’ve had a numb tongue?

Anything unusual prior to the start such as injury, emotional stress, or recent dental work?

What other symptoms do you have?

• Also, tests that you might have to undergo include:
• Neurological Exam: Reflexes, strength, and sensation.
• Blood Test: Detection of vitamin deficiency with/infection or any other condition.
• Imaging Tests (CT or MRI): Finds the site of any stroke or other brain problems.
• Allergy Tests: If allergic reaction suspected.

Treatment of Stroke and Recovery

If you find that stroke might have caused your tongue to numb, treatment would focus on restoration of blood flow to the brain.

• Ischemic Strokes: clot-busting drug(s) or procedure(s) may be used to remove the blockage.
• Haemorrhagic Stroke: surgery may be required to stop bleeding and reduce pressure in the brain or medication for the same.

Rehabilitation process after stroke often includes:

• Speech therapy if one’s speech or swallowing ability is affected by it.
• Physiotherapy to build strength and mobility again.
• Occupational therapy to live through the daily routine better.

Preventing Strokes

The best means of having a stroke is by not having a stroke altogether. Lowering risks may be done as follows:

1. Monitor and Control High Blood Pressure: Regular checking and having plans to maintain it.
2. Eat Healthy Food: Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins are recommended for a healthy diet.
3. Staying Physically Active: Exercise has a role in heart and blood vessel health.
4. Do Not Smoke: It’s because smoking damages the blood vessels making the risk of stroke higher.
5. Manage Chronic Conditions: Conditions like diabetes and hypercholesterolemia have a higher risk of stroke.

Read also: Can Stress Cause Stroke?

FAQs About Numbness in the Tongue and Strokes

1. Does a numb tongue an indication of stroke all by itself?

It will most likely not be. A numb tongue is usually also accompanied by weakness or a speech problem.

2. What should I do if my tongue somehow feels numb out of nowhere?

If it is very sudden and accompanied by other symptoms such as trouble speaking, or trouble moving one, immediately call emergency services. If it did not come accompanied by any other symptoms though, watch the symptoms and see a doctor if it does not go away.

3. Can anxiety cause a numb tongue?

Yes. Stress and anxiety may also cause tingles or numbness in the mouth; usually this is temporary and harmless.

4. How would I know whether my numb tongue is from vitamin deficiency?

B12 deficiency is usually associated with fatigue and weakness, as well as tingling in other areas of the body. This can be verified with a simple blood test.

5. Should I be concerned about numbness after having some work done at a dentist’s office?

Most numbness you experience after having work done at the dentist is normal and temporary. However, if it lasts for more than a day or feels very severe, call your dentist.

Conclusion

A numb tongue can feel really scary when it occurs. Usually, it can be something really unimportant, such as anxiety or a dental procedure.

However, if it happens suddenly or is accompanied by weakness or slurred speech, there is no time to wait—call the emergency services. Most lives could be saved when stroke symptoms are recognized early. Always better to go for a visit when uncertain.