What Causes Sudden Dizziness In An Elderly Person?

Posted on Mon, 3 Jul 2017

Question: I am 70 year old male who had chemo and radiation treatments, 3 years ago with follow up pet scans negative. Lately, I have been having spells of sudden dizziness, in a few cases falling---with spinning, lightheaded feeling. Pet scans every so often as well as CAT scans--negative. Blood pressure has been in 120/70 range on checkups for last 3 years...this has just started being a problem Treadmill test 6 months ago

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Discussion follows

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome and thanks for your query.
The dizziness and fall are suggestive of a vertebrobasilar insufficiency. As the two blood vessels going to the base of the brain go through the vertebrae in the neck, degenerative changes in these can compromise the blood flow especially when you move the head or remain standing for long periods. These mild decreases in blood flow are not picked up by the routine CT scans.

Do get back to me if you have further queries.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (30 minutes later)

What can I do to minimize this? Meds, hydration, ???

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Discussion continued

Detailed Answer:
Some of my patients in similar situation have improved with preparations of Ginkgo biloba, a herbal product which improves blood flow. You can google the name and if you would like to use the product, I shall inform you the brand that my patients have found to be good.
Also you can use Betahistidine 16 mg three times a day for symptomatic relief.
Also make sure that you don't get dehydrated.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T