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Are Swelling In Feet, Palpitations And Nausea Symptoms Of Vertigo ?

Posted on Tue, 8 May 2012

Question: 45 year old, 127 lb, generally healthy female...I have raynaud's and poor circulation in general. I was recently told I experienced vertigo, after a horrible bout of symptoms. My symptoms included feeling nauseous, feeling like I can't move without getting sick, and a general feeling of spinning kind of inside my own head (I don't really know how to describe that feeling - I just feel like something is very wrong and I have to hold my head or position it in a certain way). I also feel like I'm having palpataions - but again not entirely certain I am describing it correctly.Looking back, I think I may have had vertigo symptoms for many years - for instance, I recall a time several years ago when prolonged reading with my head bent down would result in feelings of "motion sickness." I thought it was odd, but never had it evaluated. Last weekend while travelling by plane, I had distrubing symptoms of (what I think is) vertigo. Lastly, yesterday, after the earthquake that shook the building I was in, my lower legs began to feel uncomfortable and then both calves and my right arm swelled. My right leg remained swollen until the morning. Can this possible be all related (vertigo, cirulation, swelling)? Could it have anyting to do with potassium? Any guidance would be appreciated.

Answered by Dr. Jasvinder Singh (1 hour later)

Hello,

Thanks for posting your query.

A few important possibilities which can cause vertigo are:
1) BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) is caused by problems in the inner ear. Its symptoms are repeated episodes of positional vertigo which is a spinning sensation caused by changes in the position of the head.

2) The second possibility is of Meniere’s disease in which dizziness/giddiness is also accompanied with hearing loss, roaring in ears and tinnitus or loud ringing noises in both the ears.

3) The third possibility is of anxiety and stress or cervical spine problems which can be caused by wrong ways of sitting like inappropriate position while using the computer.

The possibility of the potassium being responsible for the vertigo is quite less.

My suggestion would be to get an ENT examination done from an ENT specialist to rule out Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and Meniere’s disease, Hemoglobin levels and thyroid function tests done along with fasting blood sugar levels.

Drugs like Vertin and Stemetil are commonly used for the treatment of vertigo but these should be used only after consulting an ENT surgeon.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Jasvinder Singh (1 hour later)

How does this recent swelling relate to the possible diagnoses?

As I said, I am very healthy, active person - the only current health problem is the cirulation (mostly fingers) and these recent, occasional vertigo symptoms. Recently, I only had that one experience and the reaction on the plane. (The history of motion sickness feeling doesnt concern me, it is just interesteing in light of the current diagnosis of vertigo.) I'm a bit worried about the swelling of my calves and arm. I have never had swelling before, and this was very sudden. Is there any possibility of cardiac involvement, or do I not need worry about that? Also, would anemia account for the symptoms? I will go get checked as advised, but my main concern is to r/o anything serious.

Answered by Dr. Jasvinder Singh (16 hours later)

Hello,
Thanks for writing back.

Swelling of the calves can be due to influx of fluid into cells or intercellular tissues .

It can be due to cellulitis, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, arthritis, high altitude, high salt intake and any blood clot in the veins causing DVT.

Anemia can cause fatigue and dizziness but it is unrelated to causing swelling in calves or arms.

You need to get kidney function tests including serum urea, creatinine, uric acid, electrolyte levels, ECG and stress ECHO, venous Doppler of the legs and urine tests done.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Regards.

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Radhika