What does numbness on left side of face mean?

Transient Ischemic Attack

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurs when the brain is temporarily deprived of blood flow. TIAs are often mini-strokes, and are a sign of a greater risk for a full stroke. Symptoms resemble a stroke but they often resolve within a few minutes to an hour. However, it's important to seek immediate medical attention as a TIA is often a warning sign that a major stroke may occur.

Bell's Palsy

This condition causes the facial nerves on one side of the face to become temporarily paralyzed. It is usually idiopathic, meaning the exact cause is unknown, but risk factors include viral infections, autoimmune disease, diabetes and pregnancy. Symptoms include:

- Sudden onset of weakness or paralysis to one side of the face

- Droopy eyelid

- Trouble closing the eye on the affected side

- Drooping of the angle of the mouth

- Numbness or tingling of the face

- Headaches

- Loss of taste

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), in which the myelin (insulating cover of nerve fibers) is damaged. This damage may be caused by an immune system malfunction or an inherited predisposition to developing the condition. Symptoms can include:

- Weakness, numbness or tingling in the limbs, usually on one side of the body

- Optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve) leading to blurred vision, pain with eye movement and abnormal color vision

- Fatigue

- Difficulty with balance and coordination

- Tremors

- Speech problems

- Sexual dysfunction

- Memory loss

- Depression

Migraine headaches

Migraines are severe, disabling headaches that can cause several symptoms, including:

- Pain on one side of the head (often described as throbbing or pounding)

- Nausea

- Vomiting

- Sensitivity to light and sound

- Visual disturbances (seeing flashing lights or shimmering spots)

- Numbness or tingling in the face, arms or legs

- Weakness

Trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition affecting the trigeminal nerve, which provides sensation to the face. It is characterized by sudden, severe, electric-shock like pain in the face, usually on one side. Other symptoms may include:

- Numbness or tingling in the face

- Pain triggered by talking, chewing, or touching the face

- Difficulty closing the eye on the affected side

- Spasms of the facial muscles

- Sensitivity to light and touch

- Tearfulness

Brain tumor

A brain tumor is a growth of abnormal cells in the brain. Brain tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). Symptoms can vary depending on the size, location and type of tumor. Common symptoms may include:

- Headaches

- Seizures

- Nausea

- Vomiting

- Vision problems

- Hearing problems

- Speech problems

- Memory problems

- Difficulty with coordination and balance

- Weakness or numbness in the limbs

- Personality changes

Other possible causes

- Stroke

- Lyme disease

- Sarcoidosis

- Diabetes

- Guillain-Barre syndrome

- Meniere's disease