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What Causes Recurrent Episodes Of Dizziness?
Question: Been having dizzy spells. MRI is clear. I can feel the dizzy spell coming. Hard to focus seeing during this time. Happened twice on Saturday...unusual. During and after I feel like my heart is pounding in my throat. On Sunday I felt very exhausted. Went shopping and felt worse. Decided to take my blood pressure at the grocery store after walking around shopping for two hours. Blood pressure was 100/69. Could this be causing dizzy spells? My normal is usally 115-118/80 somthing
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
I passed carefully through your recent medical history and would explain that low blood pressure may be a potential cause of dizzy spells and fainting.
This may happen in the case of orthostatic intolerance leading to frequent episodes of hypotention, especially when standing upright form a recumbent position. but also in certain conditions like excess body fluids losses (vomiting, diarrhea, diuretics use, profound sweating, etc.).
In such case it is important to properly adress the possible cause of dehydration.
In order to explore possible orthostatic intolerance Head up Tilt test is recommended.
Another cause of dizzy spells may be cardiac arrhythmia. Facing your recent symptomatology of a pounding heart, potential episodes of cardiac arrhythmia should be also consider during differential diagnosis work up.
Coming to this point, ambulatory 24 to 48 hours ECG monitoring (Holter) could be helpful in revealing cardiac rhythm and conductance disturbances.
A third alternative leading to your clinical symptomatoly would be certain disorders of the inner ear responsible for maintaining body equilibrium during movements). If this latter option is suspected, a discussion with an ENT specialist would be necessary.
Hope to have been helpful!
In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
I passed carefully through your recent medical history and would explain that low blood pressure may be a potential cause of dizzy spells and fainting.
This may happen in the case of orthostatic intolerance leading to frequent episodes of hypotention, especially when standing upright form a recumbent position. but also in certain conditions like excess body fluids losses (vomiting, diarrhea, diuretics use, profound sweating, etc.).
In such case it is important to properly adress the possible cause of dehydration.
In order to explore possible orthostatic intolerance Head up Tilt test is recommended.
Another cause of dizzy spells may be cardiac arrhythmia. Facing your recent symptomatology of a pounding heart, potential episodes of cardiac arrhythmia should be also consider during differential diagnosis work up.
Coming to this point, ambulatory 24 to 48 hours ECG monitoring (Holter) could be helpful in revealing cardiac rhythm and conductance disturbances.
A third alternative leading to your clinical symptomatoly would be certain disorders of the inner ear responsible for maintaining body equilibrium during movements). If this latter option is suspected, a discussion with an ENT specialist would be necessary.
Hope to have been helpful!
In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have been taking allergy medications (Zyrtec, sudafed & flonase) Could this be a cause of dehydration causing dizzy spells? As I have gotten older seasonal changes have seemed to bother my sinuses so I was told to take the above medications.
Brief Answer:
Opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
If you have any clinical symptomatology (vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, etc.) that could lead to dehydration, then we would consider dehydration a potential alternative of your relative hypotension.
By the way, no one of the above medications leads to dehydration.
Zyrtec may lead to hypotension and rarely to dizziness.
If your recent clinical symptomatology has started shortly after the above drugs are initiated, then you should discuss with your prescribing doctor on possible drug-related adverse effects.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
If you have any clinical symptomatology (vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, etc.) that could lead to dehydration, then we would consider dehydration a potential alternative of your relative hypotension.
By the way, no one of the above medications leads to dehydration.
Zyrtec may lead to hypotension and rarely to dizziness.
If your recent clinical symptomatology has started shortly after the above drugs are initiated, then you should discuss with your prescribing doctor on possible drug-related adverse effects.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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