Symptom guide · General Practice & Family Medicine
Weakness on One Side
What weakness on one side can point to, how urgent it is, and who assesses it in the UAE.
Also known as hemiparesis, one-sided weakness
Treat this as a stroke until proven otherwise
Weakness on one side can be a stroke. Stroke treatment is time-critical — every minute of delay costs brain tissue.
Go now if any of these apply
- Face — one side of the face droops, or the smile is uneven
- Arms — one arm is weak or drifts down when both are raised
- Speech — speech is slurred, garbled, or the person cannot find words
- Time — note when symptoms started and call for help immediately
- A first-ever seizure, or a seizure lasting more than five minutes
Call 998 for an ambulance now. Note the time symptoms started — the emergency team will ask.
At a glance
Quick facts
- Also known as
- hemiparesis, one-sided weakness
- Body region
- General
- Care area
- General Practice & Family Medicine
- Conditions linked
- 3
Possible causes
Conditions that can cause weakness on one side
Listed alphabetically. This list is not ranked by likelihood.
- Bell's PalsyCommon among people with bell's palsy.
- StrokeVery common among people with stroke.
- Transient Ischaemic AttackVery common among people with transient ischaemic attack.
These figures describe how often each condition causes this symptom — not how likely it is that this symptom is caused by that condition. Most symptoms have a common, harmless explanation.
Treatment by cause
How the causes of weakness on one side are treated
Treatment follows the diagnosis, not the symptom. Each row is a linked condition and a treatment used for it.
| If the cause is | Treatment used | Line |
|---|---|---|
| Stroke | GP Consultation | First line |
| Transient Ischaemic Attack | GP Consultation | First line |
| Bell's Palsy | GP Consultation | First line |
| Stroke | Blood Pressure Medication | Second line |
| Transient Ischaemic Attack | Blood Pressure Medication | Second line |
| Transient Ischaemic Attack | Statin Therapy | Second line |
Find care
General Clinics & Polyclinics in Abu Dhabi
Where weakness on one side is assessed depends on what is causing it. These are licensed general clinics & polyclinics listed in Abu Dhabi.
27 Ar Ruwwad St - Shakhbout City - MSH4 - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
Accepts: Daman, Thiqa, Cigna, MetLife +20 more
Al Ruwais, Al Dhafrah
Accepts: Daman, Thiqa, AXA, Cigna +16 more
Al Bahyah - Al Bahyah Old - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
Accepts: Daman, Thiqa, Cigna, Allianz Care +18 more
Abu Dhabi
Accepts: Daman, Thiqa, AXA, Cigna +27 more
Ordered by verification status and how complete each clinic's public record is, then alphabetically. This is a directory listing, not a ranking — Zavis does not rate or recommend providers.
A factual listing drawn from the DHA, DOH and MOHAP licence registers. It is not a referral, an endorsement, or advice that any of these providers is right for you.
Related symptoms
Other general symptoms
Find care
Who assesses this in the UAE
These are the specialties that treat the conditions linked to this symptom. Every listed doctor holds a UAE licence.
Questions people ask
Can weakness on one side be a sign of stroke?
Yes. Weakness on one side: very common among people with stroke. It does not work the same way in reverse — for most people with this symptom the cause turns out to be something else, and more common — so it is not a diagnosis on its own.
Can weakness on one side be a sign of transient ischaemic attack?
Yes. Weakness on one side: very common among people with transient ischaemic attack. It does not work the same way in reverse — for most people with this symptom the cause turns out to be something else, and more common — so it is not a diagnosis on its own.
Can weakness on one side be a sign of bell's palsy?
Yes. Weakness on one side: common among people with bell's palsy. It does not work the same way in reverse — for most people with this symptom the cause turns out to be something else, and more common — so it is not a diagnosis on its own.
Keep reading
More about weakness on one side
Medical disclaimer. This page is general health information, not medical advice, and it cannot diagnose you. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider about your own symptoms and treatment. In an emergency in the UAE, call 998 for an ambulance.