question-icon

What Causes Constant Dizziness And Pressure In Head?

default
Posted on Wed, 4 Feb 2015
Question: I am constantly dizzy with a feeling of pressure in my head. I have had an MRI (nothing found), and seen an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist (who prescribed Amatrypalene) and also a Neurologist who suggested I drink more water - which I am - and take antidepressants - which I'm not. The condition is getting worse and I 'm getting desperate! I try to continue as normal but it's becoming more difficult to even take my dog for a walk these days. The condition began two years ago and my GP says "We don't know everything and you'll have to live with it". I don't know what to do now. It doesn't bother me when I'm in bed so it's not vertigo I believe. It effects me most when I'm standing up or walking.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Meds related dizziness

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

I read your question and i understand your concern. Dizziness and pressure in the head are likely a migraine triggering dizziness. This is also called central vertigo. It may be associated with the Fosamax ( alendronate) you use for osteoporosis as these causes dizziness on its own.

Also brimonidine and antiglaucoma combos of cosopt are also related to dizziness.


So to me it looks mostly secondary to the medications you are taking. You may take symptomatic treatment for dizziness and consult your doctor to change your meds with other classes with less troubles of dizziness as adverse effect.

I hope it helps. take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.

Regards
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (1 hour later)
It has been established that I do not suffer from vertigo as the symptoms don't fit. I was taken off Fosamax for three months to see if that made any difference but it made no difference. to stop the eye drops is too risky as they control the pressure in my eyes and I was using them long before the dizziness started.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Idiopathic Dizziness, Symptomatic treatment is needed.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me
As i mentioned there are many other possibilities for dizziness. Stopping the medication is not advised. I suggest a replacement. But that might not be necessary. As most likely cause is alendronate which you have already been taken off from. The most common causes of peripheral vertigo include BPPV, vestibular neuronitis, Ménière disease, and immune-mediated inner-ear disease. The most common cause of central dizziness is migraine, frequently referred to as vestibular migraine or migraine-associated dizziness. Other central causes include demyelination, acoustic tumors, and brainstem or cerebellar vascular lesions.

There are numerous inner ear pathologies that are the direct result of disrupted ion homeostasis. While the initial cause may be something else (eg, inflammation, ototoxicity, noise), the ultimate impact on the ear is the interference of some ion or water transport mechanism. Thus, impaired ion homeostasis is essentially the final common pathway for many inner ear diseases.

As you mentioned earlier, posture related dizziness none while lying down and only on walking and changing postures can be BPPV ( benign paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) as that is common. is caused by movement of an otolith -- a tiny calcium particle the size of a grain of sand -- from the part of the ear that senses gravity to the part that senses head position. The person feels as if their head is turning when it isn't. A two-minute therapy done right in the doctor's office can move the otolith back where it belongs and fix the problem. This therapy, called the Epley maneuver, cures vertigo 80% of the time.

You should get vestibular functions assessed and inner ear assessment. Some other possibilities are age related vestibular degeneration

If your doctors have ruled them out then there are many cases where dizziness is idiopathic and is not possible to sort out the cause. All a person needs is symptomatic dizziness treatment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Constant Dizziness And Pressure In Head?

Brief Answer: Meds related dizziness Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking I read your question and i understand your concern. Dizziness and pressure in the head are likely a migraine triggering dizziness. This is also called central vertigo. It may be associated with the Fosamax ( alendronate) you use for osteoporosis as these causes dizziness on its own. Also brimonidine and antiglaucoma combos of cosopt are also related to dizziness. So to me it looks mostly secondary to the medications you are taking. You may take symptomatic treatment for dizziness and consult your doctor to change your meds with other classes with less troubles of dizziness as adverse effect. I hope it helps. take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please. Regards Khan