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What Causes Heavy Feeling In Head And Balance Issues?
Question: Recently iv experienced this heavy feeling in my head and feel slightly off balance. Though i havent fallen over i am worried it might ms related. Could this be
Brief Answer:
MS unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
MS as a disease appearing at a young age is a very common fear of people your age. Its manifestations can be multiple according to the areas involved by demielination.
Your description though is not typical for MS. The heavy head feeling is not a symptom of MS.
Most common first symptoms in MS are double vision, loss of vision, weakness or numbness in one or more limbs, movement coordination issues.
Now the dizziness, it is true that there can be balance issues in MS, but dizziness can have so many other causes, it is not specific for MS at all, causes like anemia, ear issues, metabolic alterations, blood pressure fluctuations etc, which are a far more common cause than MS.
So to conclude, while I can not completely exclude MS without physically examining you, I see no reason to suspect it either.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
MS unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
MS as a disease appearing at a young age is a very common fear of people your age. Its manifestations can be multiple according to the areas involved by demielination.
Your description though is not typical for MS. The heavy head feeling is not a symptom of MS.
Most common first symptoms in MS are double vision, loss of vision, weakness or numbness in one or more limbs, movement coordination issues.
Now the dizziness, it is true that there can be balance issues in MS, but dizziness can have so many other causes, it is not specific for MS at all, causes like anemia, ear issues, metabolic alterations, blood pressure fluctuations etc, which are a far more common cause than MS.
So to conclude, while I can not completely exclude MS without physically examining you, I see no reason to suspect it either.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What characteristics typically are associated with ms induced dizziness? Could anxiety potentially cause dizziness? Also, ive noticed walking outside can help. How would you differentiate between ms induced dizziness and anxiety induced ms?
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Yes anxiety or depression can cause that heavy head and dizziness combination. Actually I considered about including it in my answer but then I thought it might be imprudent to suggest that right away.
As for what distinguishes them usually it's the clinical exam. In MS where there is an objective balance issue patients have difficulty walking, imbalance and walking with a broader base to keep balance, can veer consistently on one side, difficulty performing certain tests like tandem walking (heel to toe walking). Also in MS, while it can be isolated, it is often associated with coordination issues, difficulty reaching for objects also shown in appropriate tests. Neurological exam also can evidence other signs due to involvement of other brain areas, signs the patient might not be aware at all.
In anxiety dizziness is more of a subjective sensation and the patient usually is able to perform those task well.
I hope to have been of help.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Yes anxiety or depression can cause that heavy head and dizziness combination. Actually I considered about including it in my answer but then I thought it might be imprudent to suggest that right away.
As for what distinguishes them usually it's the clinical exam. In MS where there is an objective balance issue patients have difficulty walking, imbalance and walking with a broader base to keep balance, can veer consistently on one side, difficulty performing certain tests like tandem walking (heel to toe walking). Also in MS, while it can be isolated, it is often associated with coordination issues, difficulty reaching for objects also shown in appropriate tests. Neurological exam also can evidence other signs due to involvement of other brain areas, signs the patient might not be aware at all.
In anxiety dizziness is more of a subjective sensation and the patient usually is able to perform those task well.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ive read that diseauillibrium usually appears in ms as opposed to vertigo. What is disequillibrium? How do patients describ it? e
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
The description is what I mentioned above, difficulty to maintain balance while walking, or even sitting. Dysequilibrium is basically a latin word for disturbance of balance.
Vertigo on the other hand is a sensation of spinning, the feeling as if either you yourself or the environment surrounding you is spinning.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
The description is what I mentioned above, difficulty to maintain balance while walking, or even sitting. Dysequilibrium is basically a latin word for disturbance of balance.
Vertigo on the other hand is a sensation of spinning, the feeling as if either you yourself or the environment surrounding you is spinning.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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