Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Dizziness When Having High Cholesterol Levels?
Question: Hi back at cha! My husband is extremely dizzy. He is 65 yr old white m. Occasionally smokes (1pck cigs q 2mos.) Doesn't drink, or use drugs. Has slightly elevated cholesterol, no meds. Obese but solid and fit. BP, pulse, temp all norm. Heart sounds norm, lungs are clear. No headache. "Slightly sore" at the base of his skull when he moves his head all the way back and all the way forward. He's says he feels like he's drunk. History of diabetes (mother) ,history of heart dis(father.) No ear ache. ???????
Brief Answer:
Have a few suggestions ma'am
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I should rightfully start by saying that a physical examination is mandatory ma'am, but with what I have at hand I am suspecting the cause to be a cervicogenic headache.
Cervicogenic headaches can be caused due to various reasons and without a detailed history and a two-way discussion with your husband, it would be difficult to find the exact cause for his presentation. But some of the more common causes include spine-related abnormalities (e.g. slip disc), stressful posture, poor posture while sleeping, injuries, stress on the muscles of the neck, etc.
I would also like to ask if he experiences the dizziness with change in posture or sudden head movements? Looking forward to hearing from you regarding the same.
I would also like to emphasize on the location of his presentation which is a crucial and sensitive one. For this reason, I would recommend the following investigations which will either way be conducted to confirm the cervicogenic headaches as well, and more importantly will also help with ruling out more serious causes to such a presentation. They are:
+CT or MRI scan of the head and neck region
+Physical examination
+X-rays taken at different angles (3 dimensional)
+Complete blood profile
I hope you find my response helpful ma'am and I also hope the presentation your husband is experiencing is nothing serious. Please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.
Best wishes.
Have a few suggestions ma'am
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I should rightfully start by saying that a physical examination is mandatory ma'am, but with what I have at hand I am suspecting the cause to be a cervicogenic headache.
Cervicogenic headaches can be caused due to various reasons and without a detailed history and a two-way discussion with your husband, it would be difficult to find the exact cause for his presentation. But some of the more common causes include spine-related abnormalities (e.g. slip disc), stressful posture, poor posture while sleeping, injuries, stress on the muscles of the neck, etc.
I would also like to ask if he experiences the dizziness with change in posture or sudden head movements? Looking forward to hearing from you regarding the same.
I would also like to emphasize on the location of his presentation which is a crucial and sensitive one. For this reason, I would recommend the following investigations which will either way be conducted to confirm the cervicogenic headaches as well, and more importantly will also help with ruling out more serious causes to such a presentation. They are:
+CT or MRI scan of the head and neck region
+Physical examination
+X-rays taken at different angles (3 dimensional)
+Complete blood profile
I hope you find my response helpful ma'am and I also hope the presentation your husband is experiencing is nothing serious. Please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for getting back to me, Dr XXXXXXX
The dizzy, light headedness has persisted all day, and does not change with his orientation.
You have confirmed my thoughts that it is related to the calcifications found on several cervical vertebrae. We will follow up w/ his MD, who is currently out of town.
I just needed to touch base w/ someone to r/o somethinbg emergent.
Thank you, we will both rest easier until I can get him into see his MD, or whoever is covering for him.
Sincerely grateful,
Mrs. XXXX
The dizzy, light headedness has persisted all day, and does not change with his orientation.
You have confirmed my thoughts that it is related to the calcifications found on several cervical vertebrae. We will follow up w/ his MD, who is currently out of town.
I just needed to touch base w/ someone to r/o somethinbg emergent.
Thank you, we will both rest easier until I can get him into see his MD, or whoever is covering for him.
Sincerely grateful,
Mrs. XXXX
Brief Answer:
My best wishes for the new year
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again Mrs. XXXXXXX
I am glad I could be of assistance.
You should understand that these things are common, especially with passing age. This does not mean he is old, but just that our body takes a lot of stress over time. I would recommend he rest well, sleep in a position most comfortable to him, support a posture while standing, sitting and laying down.
I would also appreciate it if you could schedule an appointment with his MD at the earliest as this would really put me at rest. I do think a spine abnormality is most likely (especially spurs), but I would be more comfortable knowing that all other abnormalities have been ruled out as well.
I wish you and sir lots of luck, and please do not hesitate to ever write to me about anything. I am always here to help ma'am.
God bless and Happy New Year in advance.
My best wishes for the new year
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again Mrs. XXXXXXX
I am glad I could be of assistance.
You should understand that these things are common, especially with passing age. This does not mean he is old, but just that our body takes a lot of stress over time. I would recommend he rest well, sleep in a position most comfortable to him, support a posture while standing, sitting and laying down.
I would also appreciate it if you could schedule an appointment with his MD at the earliest as this would really put me at rest. I do think a spine abnormality is most likely (especially spurs), but I would be more comfortable knowing that all other abnormalities have been ruled out as well.
I wish you and sir lots of luck, and please do not hesitate to ever write to me about anything. I am always here to help ma'am.
God bless and Happy New Year in advance.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I appreciate your concern.
The MD covering for his doctor called yesterday. He concurs with you.
My husband is scheduled for CT and x-ray tomorrow, and will continue to follow up w/ the Dr.
Thank you and Happy New Year.
The MD covering for his doctor called yesterday. He concurs with you.
My husband is scheduled for CT and x-ray tomorrow, and will continue to follow up w/ the Dr.
Thank you and Happy New Year.
Brief Answer:
Great news, please keep me updated
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
I am so glad sir's MD concurs and is taking this more seriously. Please do keep me updated on the developments and reports; and I hope the New Year brings both of you loads of luck, love, good health and prosperity.
Best wishes ma'am.
Great news, please keep me updated
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
I am so glad sir's MD concurs and is taking this more seriously. Please do keep me updated on the developments and reports; and I hope the New Year brings both of you loads of luck, love, good health and prosperity.
Best wishes ma'am.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
