What Causes Severe Nausea, Headache, Dizziness And Unsteadiness?

Posted on Tue, 14 Feb 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 14 Feb 2017 Answered on

Tue, 14 Mar 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Sever nausea headache and dizzy, stumbling lightheaded feeling like I may pass out. This started yesterday. Had stroke in 1980, but no problems since then. Don't know if this is vertigo or if I should go to the ER

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

A central cause for the vertigo should be ruled out. If the onset is acute, with non focal presentation meaning no focal neurological deficit is there and in the presence of hearing loss and tinnitus then clinically its more likely to peripheral vertigo. Causes include Mennieres disease, labyrinthitis and conditions like BPPV. Treatment varies according to the cause. I would advise an ER visit to clinically assess for the cause especially to rule out a central cause with a history of CVA in 1980.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Let me know if you have any query

Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.

For future follow up / correspondence you may ask me directly at the link given below

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=68107

Dr. M.S. Khalil

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