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What Do Dizziness And Loss Of Balance Indicate?

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Posted on Fri, 4 Nov 2016
Question: In August I woke in bed with a sense of dizziness/loss of balance which I've experienced before, more than a year ago. I noted it coincided with a sudden deterioration in the weather, making me think it may be air pressure related on my inner ear. For the next 5 days I had a constant low level background "on the verge of" queasiness , mild nausea etc, which built and felt like it was about to erupt into flu like symptoms, but then disappeared. 10 days later it began again. I visited my doctor by which point a kind of pressure in the face was the more prevalent symptom and sinus problems, something viral, were presumed. I was given a spray and told it would probably clear up on its own. After two weeks I again felt on the verge of full blown ill health, with the persistent "dizziness" and queasiness. I returned to the doctor. The viral diagnosis was reconfirmed but I was given a "only take if it changes/gets worse "course of Amoxycillin. Over the next few days the dizzy/nauseous feeling disappeared as it morphed into cold like symptoms, which lasted from 17th September until just 2 or 3 days ago. At which point I finished the week long course of antibiotics. A third visit to the doctor's surgery last week added nothing new but, for the second time, they found htey couldn't see into my ears because they were completely blocked. So on Tuesday morning of this week I had the wax microsuctioned from ears. The sense of tension being relieved from my head/face was distinct afterwards...and my supposition then was that this had been the cause of my balance related discomfort and the cold symptoms were entirely unrelated and coincidental. However as of last evening I feel that same low level "something not right" balance issue is back. Its difficult to describe as I don't mean the world is spinning or I'm falling over...its more a kind of brain judder..a slowness or momentary delay in something moving in my head. Even that sounds more dramatic than I perhaps intend. Balance problem is the term I'm reaching for. In terms of sinuses my nose is now clear of congestion..I can now breathe freely through it, but I do stll sound a little nasal.
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Answered by Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Most probable cause of recurrent slowing

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, thanks for asking from HCM.


I can understand your concern. It is good that you have described your history very thoroughly. I was able to understand that your past problem was imbalance due to external ear block. It might have lead to increased pressure in middle ear and thus vestibular system. Vestibular system is the system which deals with the balance of the body.

Now you are having most probably "Aura like symptoms". These are those mild unnatural experiences which hint towards something bad is happening or going to happen. I think this is what you wanted to mention!

Now what you can do, is consult doctor. Ask him to check your vestibular and cerebellar function properly. He will do

: Dynamic visual acuity
: Hallpike manœuvre
: Romberg test
: Co-ordination
: Gait

All these tests will help in ruling out any serious damage. If they come normal, then no need to worry, your symptoms will disappear soon. You can also take

: Tablet betahistine, Cinnarizine combination after proper prescription, to treat your mild symptoms.
: Also get your blood pressure and sugar checked to rule out low BP and diabetes.

If everything comes negative and still you have symptoms, you might be having
: Transient ischemic attacks
: Autonomic disturbance

This can be due to atherosclerosis of brain supplying vessels. It can be ruled out by ultrasound doppler study of vessels. You can discuss it with your doctor if there is any doubt.

Hope it will help you. If still in doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Ishu Bishnoi

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 901 Questions

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What Do Dizziness And Loss Of Balance Indicate?

Brief Answer: Most probable cause of recurrent slowing Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, thanks for asking from HCM. I can understand your concern. It is good that you have described your history very thoroughly. I was able to understand that your past problem was imbalance due to external ear block. It might have lead to increased pressure in middle ear and thus vestibular system. Vestibular system is the system which deals with the balance of the body. Now you are having most probably "Aura like symptoms". These are those mild unnatural experiences which hint towards something bad is happening or going to happen. I think this is what you wanted to mention! Now what you can do, is consult doctor. Ask him to check your vestibular and cerebellar function properly. He will do : Dynamic visual acuity : Hallpike manœuvre : Romberg test : Co-ordination : Gait All these tests will help in ruling out any serious damage. If they come normal, then no need to worry, your symptoms will disappear soon. You can also take : Tablet betahistine, Cinnarizine combination after proper prescription, to treat your mild symptoms. : Also get your blood pressure and sugar checked to rule out low BP and diabetes. If everything comes negative and still you have symptoms, you might be having : Transient ischemic attacks : Autonomic disturbance This can be due to atherosclerosis of brain supplying vessels. It can be ruled out by ultrasound doppler study of vessels. You can discuss it with your doctor if there is any doubt. Hope it will help you. If still in doubt, do let me know. Thanks. Take care