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What Causes General Malaise, Lightheadedness And Odd Sensation In The Tongue?
Posted on
Thu, 10 Aug 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 10 Aug 2017
Answered on
Thu, 31 Aug 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : Three weeks of general malaise, and some lightheadedness. Also, my tongue has an odd sensation - like a tongue that was mildly burned with hot water. I thought it might be sinus infection, but my upper teeth feel fine, and no pressure in the forehead.
Brief Answer:
Several causes listed and tests to rule them out
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at healthcaremagic.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
General malaise and lightheadedness can be caused by several issues and the most common one that is also self limiting is if you are going through a viral infection, but the symptoms would be expected to have improved in 2 weeks.
Other causes might be considered as the symptoms last longer than 2 weeks. It would be good to have some tests to rule out some conditions like anemia, a very common cause of malaise and lightheadedness and also other tests to see how you are doing.
So I would recommend you to have this tests:
- CBC and ERS (for anemia)
- TSH to check the thyroid function
- Glucose fasting test
- metabolic profile (creatinine, electrolites, ALT, AST,)
- ECG to check the heart
- Urinalysis- to check if there is a problem with the urinary tract
- rarely a chest xray might be indicated also
Have you ever had a colonoscopy? It is recommended to be done every 5-10 years at patients >50 years of age. If not done one in the last 5 years might consider to have one done.
With the above tests and a good general visit from the doctor would be very likely to identify the possible cause of the symptoms you have.
I hope this is helpful and answers to your questions but please feel free to contact me in case any questions or concerns related to this.
Kind regards
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
Several causes listed and tests to rule them out
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at healthcaremagic.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
General malaise and lightheadedness can be caused by several issues and the most common one that is also self limiting is if you are going through a viral infection, but the symptoms would be expected to have improved in 2 weeks.
Other causes might be considered as the symptoms last longer than 2 weeks. It would be good to have some tests to rule out some conditions like anemia, a very common cause of malaise and lightheadedness and also other tests to see how you are doing.
So I would recommend you to have this tests:
- CBC and ERS (for anemia)
- TSH to check the thyroid function
- Glucose fasting test
- metabolic profile (creatinine, electrolites, ALT, AST,)
- ECG to check the heart
- Urinalysis- to check if there is a problem with the urinary tract
- rarely a chest xray might be indicated also
Have you ever had a colonoscopy? It is recommended to be done every 5-10 years at patients >50 years of age. If not done one in the last 5 years might consider to have one done.
With the above tests and a good general visit from the doctor would be very likely to identify the possible cause of the symptoms you have.
I hope this is helpful and answers to your questions but please feel free to contact me in case any questions or concerns related to this.
Kind regards
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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