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What Causes Nausea, Lightheadedness, Dizziness And High Blood Pressure?
Question: I was rushed to the ER Friday night due to uncharacteristic and sudden onset symptoms of:
nausea, lightheadedness, worsen symptoms of almost dizziness when turning head to left or right and heart palpitations. My BP was uncharacteristically high at 150/106 (I run so it's usually under 120/80). I had a bunch of tests including CT scan for head and chest, with contrast and head MRI: No sign of stroke, but they diagnosed me with TIA. I failed to mention that I was working in the car as a passenger for 2 1/2 hours with laptop and on phone for full ride. We were in intermittent traffic and my husband tends to speed up and hit the breaks hard. While working, i'm unprepared to brace myself. The next day and today, I have very painful neck and pain radiating from next down shoulders and upper back. May I have just had a whiplash? I've had several concussions in the past as well.
nausea, lightheadedness, worsen symptoms of almost dizziness when turning head to left or right and heart palpitations. My BP was uncharacteristically high at 150/106 (I run so it's usually under 120/80). I had a bunch of tests including CT scan for head and chest, with contrast and head MRI: No sign of stroke, but they diagnosed me with TIA. I failed to mention that I was working in the car as a passenger for 2 1/2 hours with laptop and on phone for full ride. We were in intermittent traffic and my husband tends to speed up and hit the breaks hard. While working, i'm unprepared to brace myself. The next day and today, I have very painful neck and pain radiating from next down shoulders and upper back. May I have just had a whiplash? I've had several concussions in the past as well.
Brief Answer:
Whiplash possible.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I do believe that you make a correct point there. If the symptoms started after that hard break and you have had that neck pain issue whiplash is well possible. It might be responsible for the other symptoms you were seen at the ER for as well, as dizziness is often associated with neck muscle injuries. That is because the cervical nerves (which may be affected by muscle spasm and inflammation) are also involved in balance by supplying information on the head and neck position.
As for the diagnosis of TIA, even without the information on the possible whiplash I wouldn't have been so convinced. Since by definition in TIA tests result normal it is a diagnosis which is not always certain. There are cases where the symptoms are typical for TIA, such as paralysis of the limbs on one side, but there are other instances when the symptoms are not specific, meaning could be explained by many other causes. I think that applies to your symptoms as well, not a typical TIA, it was a diagnosis provided for the lack of a better explanation.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Whiplash possible.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I do believe that you make a correct point there. If the symptoms started after that hard break and you have had that neck pain issue whiplash is well possible. It might be responsible for the other symptoms you were seen at the ER for as well, as dizziness is often associated with neck muscle injuries. That is because the cervical nerves (which may be affected by muscle spasm and inflammation) are also involved in balance by supplying information on the head and neck position.
As for the diagnosis of TIA, even without the information on the possible whiplash I wouldn't have been so convinced. Since by definition in TIA tests result normal it is a diagnosis which is not always certain. There are cases where the symptoms are typical for TIA, such as paralysis of the limbs on one side, but there are other instances when the symptoms are not specific, meaning could be explained by many other causes. I think that applies to your symptoms as well, not a typical TIA, it was a diagnosis provided for the lack of a better explanation.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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