22 year old female my legs go numb my feet and hands tingle i drink and smoke cigs heavily?

• is this a sign of diabetes? stroke or heat attack? i have an irregular heart beat...i start drinking when i wake up and stop when there is no more alcohol and i smoke cigs and blak n milds heavily throughout the day and i have been recently experiencing leg numbness and foot and hand tingling its like i stand up and my legs are still numb..my fingers feel tingly for hours..what do you think this could be?

• Answer:

  You need to ask a physician. What I can tell you is that cigarettes and alcohol are not good for your condition. Cigarettes can cause one of these problems but what concerns me is the irregular heart beat. If you speak with slurred speech, when you stick out your tounge if it goes to one side instead of straight out this could be signs of a heart problem. The American Stroke Association wants you to learn the warning signs of stroke: * Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body * Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding * Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes * Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination * Sudden, severe headache with no known cause Can you prevent a stroke? After you have had a stroke, you are at risk for having another one. You can make some important lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk of stroke and improve your overall health. * Don't smoke. Smoking can more than double your risk of stroke.2 Avoid secondhand smoke too. * Eat a heart-healthy diet that includes plenty of fish, fruits, vegetables, beans, high-fiber grains and breads, and olive oil. Eat less salt too. * Get exercise on most, preferably all, days of the week. Your doctor can suggest a safe level of exercise for you. * Stay at a healthy weight. * Control your cholesterol and blood pressure. * If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible. * Limit alcohol. Having more than 2 drinks a day increases the risk of stroke. * Take a daily aspirin or other medicines if your doctor advises it. * Avoid getting sick from the flu. Get a flu shot every year. Work closely with your doctor. Go to all your appointments, and take your medicines just the way your doctor says to.