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What Could Cause Vertigo Like Sensation While Getting Up From A Sitting Or Lying Down Position?
Question: Hi Doc.
My father just had a stroke 9 months ago. I guess you call minor. loss of balance (wobbly when walk but better - actually walks like drunk). doublevision. less speech / throat strength.
Problem / Question and need cause to help ...
He has dizziness - sometimes more severe and consecutive days ( like now) is ...
He goes to get up from sitting or laying down to standing up and gets dizzy and room spins minor.
What could be cause ... ? Any help would be much appreciated. My name XXXXXX - my email is YYYY@YYYY its continuous over last 5-6 months and been worse last few.
Thank you
My father just had a stroke 9 months ago. I guess you call minor. loss of balance (wobbly when walk but better - actually walks like drunk). doublevision. less speech / throat strength.
Problem / Question and need cause to help ...
He has dizziness - sometimes more severe and consecutive days ( like now) is ...
He goes to get up from sitting or laying down to standing up and gets dizzy and room spins minor.
What could be cause ... ? Any help would be much appreciated. My name XXXXXX - my email is YYYY@YYYY its continuous over last 5-6 months and been worse last few.
Thank you
Brief Answer:
A couple of possibilities.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging from your description the first diagnosis to be considered would be that of orthostatic hypotension. That means an excessive decrease of blood pressure when changing position from supine to standing. Most simple way to detect it would be blood pressure measurements in different positions, to check for excessive drops in pressure (over 20 mmHg sistolic and 10 mmHg diastolic). If that is found to be the case measures can vary from measures such as increase in fluid and salts, elastic stockings to medication like fludrocortisone or midodrine.
If that possibility is excluded then the most likely possibility would be that of a stroke consequence. The symptoms you describe after the stroke correspond to a stroke in the posterior areas of the brain, the brainstem. The brainstem is where the central vestibular system nuclei are situated . The vestibular system is involved in balance by monitoring head movement changes. It has a peripheral component in the ear and a central one in the brain stem. So brain stem damage may well manifest with dizziness and vertigo (spinning sensation) in particular when changing head position. The best means to deal with it is through physical therapy with balance oriented exercises. Unfortunately not much is done medication wise, some medications such as flunnarizine or antihistaminics might help but they have side effects, particularly at that age, which limit their use, at least not for long periods.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
A couple of possibilities.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging from your description the first diagnosis to be considered would be that of orthostatic hypotension. That means an excessive decrease of blood pressure when changing position from supine to standing. Most simple way to detect it would be blood pressure measurements in different positions, to check for excessive drops in pressure (over 20 mmHg sistolic and 10 mmHg diastolic). If that is found to be the case measures can vary from measures such as increase in fluid and salts, elastic stockings to medication like fludrocortisone or midodrine.
If that possibility is excluded then the most likely possibility would be that of a stroke consequence. The symptoms you describe after the stroke correspond to a stroke in the posterior areas of the brain, the brainstem. The brainstem is where the central vestibular system nuclei are situated . The vestibular system is involved in balance by monitoring head movement changes. It has a peripheral component in the ear and a central one in the brain stem. So brain stem damage may well manifest with dizziness and vertigo (spinning sensation) in particular when changing head position. The best means to deal with it is through physical therapy with balance oriented exercises. Unfortunately not much is done medication wise, some medications such as flunnarizine or antihistaminics might help but they have side effects, particularly at that age, which limit their use, at least not for long periods.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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