Suggest Treatment For Nausea, Dizziness And Shortness Of Breath

Posted on Fri, 7 Oct 2016

Question: I am 82 years old, active, etc. For the past three or four days I have been having real dizzy spells, especially if I bend over or even if I roll over in bed. Surprisingly no nausea and my appetite is normal. I take meds for hypertension and my pulse and B/P are normal. No shortness of breath.

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need examination and investigation

Detailed Answer:
Hi friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic

You ought to see a doctor!
You need examination / and probably investigation...

If it is from getting up from bed, it may be from postural hypo-tension.. Did you check your BP – standing and lying?

It can be from anaemia – what is your haemoglobin?

     The body's balancing mechanism is in the inner ear. An ENT (Ear Nose Throat) specialist is the one to see - they have special tests to confirm or exclude the contribution of the ear. This is particularly important in the presence of tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

     If the ear is excluded, you have to be followed up by a NEUROLOGIST (nerve specialist)... reduced blood supply to the base of brain, where the centres are sited / MRI may be needed. MRA (MRI angiography) shows blood vessels and is generally done at the same sitting.

     If there are no clues, you have to be investigated by a Cardiologist only! EKG / HOLTER (24 to 48 hour ambulatory monitoring – for arrhythmia) / ECHO-cardiogram (for clot) / TMT (Treadmill exercise ECG – for ischemia) / LABORATORY work-up – may all be necessary for further assessment and assistance.

     In the mean time, medicines like Betahistine or Flunarazine alone or in combination may help

Good luck
God bless you

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee