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What Causes Sudden Loss Of Balance And Dizziness While Working?
Question: I am a nurse and was standing for my 11th hr at work doing computer work then all of a sudden i lost my balance. I could not walk straight. I wasn't dizzy. I felt drunk. My coworkers took my vitals and all was ok. BP normal, HR 78, and O2 sat would range from 97-99%. This is the morning after and I am ok when I sit or lay down but as soon as I make sudden movements to stand I can fall because I lose my balance. Once I am up walking and sudden movements with my head and I lose balance. Sometimes I keep walking to the left or fall forward or left.
Brief Answer:
Inner ear most likely origin.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Looking at the description of your symptoms I would say that the most probable cause for it would be an inner ear related issue, like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis, vestibular neuronitis etc. The symptoms look typical, especially with head movement provoking them. If you tend to go on the left that side should be affected (the healthy side pushes towards the affected one). In terms of treatment to alleviate the symptoms meclizine or betahistine are the most commonly used options.
Now regarding other possibilities, the one which is always feared is a stroke involving you posterior brain areas which together with the inner ear are responsible for balance. It is not as common as inner ear causes and would say that is not that likely in your young age. Furthermore there usually are other manifestations such as headache, double vision, weakness or sensation alterations in the face and limbs, slurred speech etc.
So while you can still make that trip to ER to check for neurological signs you might have missed, or even ear related ones such as infection, I would say that the ear should be the culprit. It is very bothersome (I can relate as I went through your exact situation myself this January) but usually gradually subsides over the coming weeks.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Inner ear most likely origin.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Looking at the description of your symptoms I would say that the most probable cause for it would be an inner ear related issue, like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis, vestibular neuronitis etc. The symptoms look typical, especially with head movement provoking them. If you tend to go on the left that side should be affected (the healthy side pushes towards the affected one). In terms of treatment to alleviate the symptoms meclizine or betahistine are the most commonly used options.
Now regarding other possibilities, the one which is always feared is a stroke involving you posterior brain areas which together with the inner ear are responsible for balance. It is not as common as inner ear causes and would say that is not that likely in your young age. Furthermore there usually are other manifestations such as headache, double vision, weakness or sensation alterations in the face and limbs, slurred speech etc.
So while you can still make that trip to ER to check for neurological signs you might have missed, or even ear related ones such as infection, I would say that the ear should be the culprit. It is very bothersome (I can relate as I went through your exact situation myself this January) but usually gradually subsides over the coming weeks.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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