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Suggest Treatment For Lightheadedness And Vertigo
Question: I have been getting waves of extreme lightheadedness, so intense I need to lean up against a wall, or, if driving, slow and pull over, which are occasionally accompanied by a weird, familiar seeming smell, but after the spell passes, I can't name or recognize the spell. This has been happening probably for about six months plus now, probably not a year, but when they occur I am not hungry, or sick or anything like that. Then I will go a while w/out any trouble and then, blam, like today, it's back. It feels like I'm going to pass out completely, and then recedes, but leaves me a bit cold and clammy and unsteady. The smell doesn't always appear, but when it does appear, it's the exact same smell.
Brief Answer:
Needs a neurologist to examine
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I am Dr Mittal.
I have read your message.
I think I can help you.
First, the symptoms of the query are quite suggestive of multiple possibilities.
1. BPPV or positional vertigo is one cause where such symptoms occur. However, this is usually not connected to the smell .
2. Partial seizures is the second possibility. And no, Seizures need not always be connected to jerks of the limbs or loss of consciousness. And smell can be explained.
3. multiple small vascular events can explain the problem. However this is a rare possible cause.
I would suggest urgent MRI BRAIN and EEG. I would need to examine you for more exact differentiation, however, the tests would be needed in all 3 possibilities. You may meet a neurologist locally for the same.
Since the treatment of the 3 conditions is so much different, I cannot suggest a treatment without the tests. Please let me know when you get the reports.
I have tried to make it as simple as possible. I hope that the information contained in this message will be able to help you find the best solution for your problem. Best of luck. Dr Mittal.
Needs a neurologist to examine
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I am Dr Mittal.
I have read your message.
I think I can help you.
First, the symptoms of the query are quite suggestive of multiple possibilities.
1. BPPV or positional vertigo is one cause where such symptoms occur. However, this is usually not connected to the smell .
2. Partial seizures is the second possibility. And no, Seizures need not always be connected to jerks of the limbs or loss of consciousness. And smell can be explained.
3. multiple small vascular events can explain the problem. However this is a rare possible cause.
I would suggest urgent MRI BRAIN and EEG. I would need to examine you for more exact differentiation, however, the tests would be needed in all 3 possibilities. You may meet a neurologist locally for the same.
Since the treatment of the 3 conditions is so much different, I cannot suggest a treatment without the tests. Please let me know when you get the reports.
I have tried to make it as simple as possible. I hope that the information contained in this message will be able to help you find the best solution for your problem. Best of luck. Dr Mittal.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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