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What Causes Vertigo Like Symptoms And Imbalance?
Posted on
Wed, 19 Jul 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 19 Jul 2017
Answered on
Thu, 17 Aug 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : My husband awoke about 7 hours ago and said the things around him felt like they were "swimming around" and he was unsteady on his feet and he just undefinedly "don't feel good." It somewhat diminished after awhile. But now it is fully back. He is 79. He wants to just wait and see what happens. Should we wait?
Sorry, I thought I would get an answer faster. I really need it now.
Sorry, I thought I would get an answer faster. I really need it now.
Brief Answer:
I wouldn't wait.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Those symptoms are not very specific, meaning they can be due to different causes like an infection, blood pressure fluctuations, metabolic alterations, inner ear conditions, or even stroke in the posterior areas of the brain, they all can cause balance changes, so hard to pinpoint the origin by that description alone.
Most of them are not dangerous and transitory so do not want you to panic. However at the age of 79 one must be very cautious as the risk of vascular conditions like stroke is higher. So since the symptoms are persisting for over 7 hours now I would ask for an evaluation sooner rather than later, by that I mean even in the ER. By that I mean a physical exam for the possibility of other neurological signs, some routine blood tests, blood pressure and EKG. Depending on the findings it will be judged on whether tests like brain imaging are necessary.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
I wouldn't wait.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Those symptoms are not very specific, meaning they can be due to different causes like an infection, blood pressure fluctuations, metabolic alterations, inner ear conditions, or even stroke in the posterior areas of the brain, they all can cause balance changes, so hard to pinpoint the origin by that description alone.
Most of them are not dangerous and transitory so do not want you to panic. However at the age of 79 one must be very cautious as the risk of vascular conditions like stroke is higher. So since the symptoms are persisting for over 7 hours now I would ask for an evaluation sooner rather than later, by that I mean even in the ER. By that I mean a physical exam for the possibility of other neurological signs, some routine blood tests, blood pressure and EKG. Depending on the findings it will be judged on whether tests like brain imaging are necessary.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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