Nervous System Problems

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Breathing stops for longer than 30 seconds. After calling 911, begin rescue breathing. Go to Rescue Breathing in the topic Dealing With Emergencies.
• Unconsciousness that lasts for longer than 1 minute
• Sudden, severe pain and is the worst headache you have ever had
• Sudden onset of headache, nausea, and vomiting with an inability to walk or stand
• Ongoing confusion or a change in level of consciousness or behaviour
• Sudden, persistent loss of movement or muscle weakness in one part or all of one side of the body
• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Sudden, persistent difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• Seizures. Protect the victim from harm during the seizure.

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 behaviour, 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, Non-injury.
• Dizziness, light-headedness, loss of balance, or a whirling sensation: Go to the topic Dizziness: Light-headedness 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, Non-injury or Arm Injuries.
  • A leg: Go to the topic Leg Problems, Non-injury or Leg Injuries.
  • A foot or ankle: Go to the topic Toe, Foot, and Ankle Problems, Non-injury 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, Non-injury or Finger, Hand, and Wrist Injuries.
  • A shoulder: Go to the topic Shoulder Problems and Injuries.
  • The face: Go to the topic Facial Problems, Non-injury 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.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: February 7, 2008
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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