What Causes Sudden Episodes Of Dizziness?

Posted on Fri, 18 Sep 2015

Question: My wife started experiencing dizziness last Saturday, while walking around and when bending over, Sunday was worse...slight headache and constant feeling of being outside her head. Today, woke up with nausea, a headache and dizzy all day until around 3:00 P.M. Less severe this evening, but bouts of dizziness when bending or turning head. She had a bad dizzy spell while driving and was about to pull over, and it went away as quickly as it came; she thought she might pass out. She took Aleve this afternoon for the headache, and the dizziness also subsided. No coughing, no congestion, no pain in ears. She gets many bouts of the type of dizziness you get when standing too quickly, but while just sitting still. She drinks plenty of water, so not dehydrated. Is there something we can do? Or is this something she should see a doctor about? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
dizziness spells on posture changes with headaches

Detailed Answer:
Hi!

Welcome to health care magic!

I am Dr. Saddiq Ul Abidin. I have read your problem in detail and will try to help you in best way possible.

She is likely to be suffering from benign positional vertigo. It is a condition of inner ear which has sensitive apparatus related to maintain body balance. Any rapid change in posture or head movements or even with rapid motion like travelling trigger dizziness, spinning, nausea or feeling of passing out. It can also be simple migraine as it can be related to these symptoms.

But let me share this without over sensitising you, that dizziness with headaches can't be taken light and needs proper work up, although in most cases very benign causes are found to be causing the symptoms but reassurance is mandatory.

She might need to be examined by both ENT specialists or a neurologist. And can be asked to do CT scan or other imaging. Eyes can be examined by neurologist to be looked into with a fundoscope. Blood can be screened for electrolytes or thyroid levels.

All these are just for reassurance that can be needed depending upon the findings of examination.

Meanwhile symptomatic benefits can be achieved with serc 8 mg twice daily with stemetil thrice daily.

Hope this has answered your query, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask. kindly rate me before closing, and leave your feedback if possible.

Regards,
Dr. Saddiq Ul abidin.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (8 hours later)

We don't know what this is:
"Meanwhile symptomatic benefits can be achieved with serc 8 mg twice daily with stemetil thrice daily." What are these medications?
Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
clarification regarding medication

Detailed Answer:
Hi!

Serc is the trade name of betahistidine and stemetil is the one for prochlorperazine. By giving symptomatic benefit, it means that they might give benefit in dizziness and vertigo caused by BPV, though you need to discuss these with ENT specialist before starting these.

Thanks.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj