What Causes Sudden Onset Of Numbness On Upper Lip?

Posted on Tue, 1 Jul 2014

Question: For no reason, my upper lip turned numb, starting with a dull pain resembling the start of a tooth ache in an upper incisor on my right side and resulting with my entire upper lip being so numb, it felt like it had been shot with novocaine. I was boarding an airplane at the time and couldn't do much about it, except talk to a stewardess an hour later. She called for help from the passengers and a doctor took my blood pressure, which was elevated to 180. I suggested aspirin, at least and they gave me one. The numbness gradually subsided and I went back to my seat. T.he entire numbness lasted for at least two and a half hours. What could be the possible causes? I have an artificial aortic pig valve, replaced in 2010.

Answered by Dr. Albana Sejdini (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Spike in blood pressure or possible brain event...

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,

The sudden onset of numbness on your upper lip could have been related to spike in blood pressure and a possible sign of a brain event, most probably triggered by flight (air pressure changes).

I highly suggest to schedule an appointment with a cardiologist to :
- evaluate the condition of your aortic pig valve
- run cardiac ECHO, ECG, stress test and holter monitoring
- measuring blood pressure at home is highly recommended, record the results and pass them to you doctor
- diabetes and lipid profile testings are necessary for further evaluation

Depending on the tests results, specific treatment will be prescribed. Perhaps, you might need ct-scan of head as per your doctor's evaluation.

If you are already taking antihypertensive drugs, please take them regularly as prescribed by your doctor.

I also recommend not to flight until your cardiologist will permit it.
All the best!
Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar