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What Causes Dizziness Along With Cold Sweats?
Question: I've been getting dizzy spells with cold sweat over the past 2 or 3 years.I am 67 years old.They can last up to two hours.They have always caused horizontal dizziness,with to room turning around.Yesterday,I had vertical dizziness with cold sweats,like riding on a wheel.These spells vary during the year,possibly up to once a month.
Brief Answer:
Get the following tests done.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. The first task is to differentiate between peripheral (ear related) and central (brain related) vertigo. Usually peripheral vertigo will be of short duration (with a latent onset of about 20 seconds) and central vertigo will last for days and months (with a short latency of about 5 second). The notable exception is Meniere's Disease. Peripheral vertigo is fatigable (decreases on repeated movements).
2. You have a spinning true vertigo with a normal CT & MRI, hence structural lesions can be ruled out.
3. From your description, the horizontal dizziness is likely to be either BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) or Meniere's Disease. There is also a possibility of Cervical Spondylosis at your age.
4. In BPPV, the vertigo is positional. Change in head posture against gravity will cause the vertigo. The Dix Hallpike test will reveal this type.
5. In Meniere's disease, there will be a fluctuating hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus and fullness in the ear. Do you have any of these symptoms? In Meniere's, a salt restricted diet, reduced water intake and diuretics help.
6. In Cervical spondylosis, Xrays of the cervical spine will show the changes.
7. CT & MRI scans show form, not function. Hence the blood supply to the head should be studied with a neck doppler or an MRA. This I would advise if the above are ruled out.
8. You need a direct examination with tests for vertigo bu a Neurotologist. Hearing tests are recommended. Also check if any other medication that you have been taking is causing this. A general medical check-up should be done.
9. If you can provide the answers to the above questions, further investigation and treatment options can be discussed.
10. Dizziness and Vertigo is a vast and complicated subject, Hence this is still the preliminary discussion. Remember that your brain is compensating since the last 2-3 years, which makes diagnosis of the original cause more difficult than in a fresh case of vertigo.
Awaiting your reply.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Get the following tests done.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. The first task is to differentiate between peripheral (ear related) and central (brain related) vertigo. Usually peripheral vertigo will be of short duration (with a latent onset of about 20 seconds) and central vertigo will last for days and months (with a short latency of about 5 second). The notable exception is Meniere's Disease. Peripheral vertigo is fatigable (decreases on repeated movements).
2. You have a spinning true vertigo with a normal CT & MRI, hence structural lesions can be ruled out.
3. From your description, the horizontal dizziness is likely to be either BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) or Meniere's Disease. There is also a possibility of Cervical Spondylosis at your age.
4. In BPPV, the vertigo is positional. Change in head posture against gravity will cause the vertigo. The Dix Hallpike test will reveal this type.
5. In Meniere's disease, there will be a fluctuating hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus and fullness in the ear. Do you have any of these symptoms? In Meniere's, a salt restricted diet, reduced water intake and diuretics help.
6. In Cervical spondylosis, Xrays of the cervical spine will show the changes.
7. CT & MRI scans show form, not function. Hence the blood supply to the head should be studied with a neck doppler or an MRA. This I would advise if the above are ruled out.
8. You need a direct examination with tests for vertigo bu a Neurotologist. Hearing tests are recommended. Also check if any other medication that you have been taking is causing this. A general medical check-up should be done.
9. If you can provide the answers to the above questions, further investigation and treatment options can be discussed.
10. Dizziness and Vertigo is a vast and complicated subject, Hence this is still the preliminary discussion. Remember that your brain is compensating since the last 2-3 years, which makes diagnosis of the original cause more difficult than in a fresh case of vertigo.
Awaiting your reply.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
also,this drains my energy for several hours,in this case a good 24 hours.My left ear fills like it has a cottonball in it,and my head feels woozy without dizziness.
Brief Answer:
These are common symptoms that accompany dizziness.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. The draining of energy is common with dizziness of various types.
2. The cotton ball filling ear sensation may be equated with ear fullness. This could be related to Meniere's Disease.
3. The head feeling woozy may be tinnitus, pressure, blood supply issues or 'brain fog'.
4. You can begin with a few examination, investigation and test results. You should try to answer the questions from my previous answer.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
These are common symptoms that accompany dizziness.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. The draining of energy is common with dizziness of various types.
2. The cotton ball filling ear sensation may be equated with ear fullness. This could be related to Meniere's Disease.
3. The head feeling woozy may be tinnitus, pressure, blood supply issues or 'brain fog'.
4. You can begin with a few examination, investigation and test results. You should try to answer the questions from my previous answer.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Something I didn't share with you thinking back about the time this all started.The ear problem was there the first time I had the dizzy spells.The ENT said it was possibly drain tube blockage in the left ear, and had me come back after examination.In which he said he couldn't do any thing for me.In relatioship to that time this has been going on longer than three years.This started in 2009 when I got amalgam from dental splashed on my face.I was sick in bed for ten days, and within 20 days after that incident I totally lost my taste and smell excerpt the taste sensors on the back of my tongue were alright.Shortly after this the dizziness started.During those examinations on my loss of taste and smell my ear began plugging up like a cotton ball was in it.My hearing in my left ear began to get worse (in which both ears already had a hearing loss from my time in Vietnam).I had blood test back than, which the naturealpathic Dr. had lost after he had given me a mercury removal herb for one week.Than I was given another blood draw which came out negative for mercury in my blood.Also, within a year after the amalgam accident my erections are bent over forward and don't stand up straight anymore.I don't know if if some of this is age related or caused by the amalgam accident.Thank you Dr.Bhatti,
I never thought I would get proper answers so thoroughly through online conversation.Because of you conversj ng with me on my medical condition I was able
To concentrate moe and study out the information you sent me.During tne times I've had this dizzying effect, all I was wantkng to do was get better.Now, while the problem was happening, you were here with me in conversation, and I was able to concentrate on the problem step by step and verify the symptoms.This morning awoke and that nauseous feeling in my head was gone.At the same time I realized that the cottonball pressure feeling was gone from my left ear.That has exactly what has been happening.I start out getting the cottonball feeling in my left ear, which lasts for about a week.Nearing the end of that time I get the dizziness and cold sweats.Then my energy is depleted,I rest for a day or two, the nausiess feeling and the cottonball pressure go away at the same time.
I never thought I would get proper answers so thoroughly through online conversation.Because of you conversj ng with me on my medical condition I was able
To concentrate moe and study out the information you sent me.During tne times I've had this dizzying effect, all I was wantkng to do was get better.Now, while the problem was happening, you were here with me in conversation, and I was able to concentrate on the problem step by step and verify the symptoms.This morning awoke and that nauseous feeling in my head was gone.At the same time I realized that the cottonball pressure feeling was gone from my left ear.That has exactly what has been happening.I start out getting the cottonball feeling in my left ear, which lasts for about a week.Nearing the end of that time I get the dizziness and cold sweats.Then my energy is depleted,I rest for a day or two, the nausiess feeling and the cottonball pressure go away at the same time.
Brief Answer:
Seems like Meniere's Disease symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. The dental amalgams used earlier contained mercury. These symptoms do seem to be similar to those of mercury toxicity, however since you have not detected mercury in your blood test, this may not be related to the dental amalgam accident.
2. Your symptoms seem to be related to Meniere's Disease. Check if salt restriction, decreased water intake, Diamox (acetazolamide) or high dose betahistine (Vertin) decrease the frequency of attacks. You will need a prescription for these.
3. Start with hearing tests. Then get a Neurotologist's opinion.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Seems like Meniere's Disease symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. The dental amalgams used earlier contained mercury. These symptoms do seem to be similar to those of mercury toxicity, however since you have not detected mercury in your blood test, this may not be related to the dental amalgam accident.
2. Your symptoms seem to be related to Meniere's Disease. Check if salt restriction, decreased water intake, Diamox (acetazolamide) or high dose betahistine (Vertin) decrease the frequency of attacks. You will need a prescription for these.
3. Start with hearing tests. Then get a Neurotologist's opinion.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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