"Vertigo"
Hello, doctor.
I would like to ask about my wife's dizziness issue.
She is 33 years old, and the other day when I picked her up from work, she suddenly felt dizzy, as if everything around her was spinning, and she could barely stand.
I thought, being a woman, anemia is quite common, especially since her menstrual cycle had just ended, so I didn't think it was anything serious.
In the car, she told me that whenever she closed her eyes, it felt like the car was constantly turning left, but when she opened her eyes, the car was moving in a straight line without any turns.
In fact, the car was not turning.
I figured she was genuinely feeling dizzy and uncomfortable, but she didn't seem to think anything was particularly wrong.
When we got home, she said she wanted to take a nap, so I went to the bedroom with her until she fell asleep.
She had experienced nausea a few times before (usually after intense exercise, when she couldn't catch her breath, or during severe coughing).
After lying down and resting on her back, she felt a bit better and no longer felt dizzy or like things were spinning.
I thought that resting and sleeping might help her feel better.
However, when she turned to sleep on her left side, she told me that everything around her started spinning again.
I closely observed her eyes and noticed that her pupils were moving continuously to the right (toward me) and then back to the center.
I asked her to look straight at me, but she said she couldn't keep her gaze steady, and her eyes kept repeating the same movement.
I became anxious and asked her to lie back flat again and stare at the ceiling.
I noticed that her eye movements continued but at a reduced frequency and distance.
After a while, she said she no longer felt dizzy or like things were spinning.
However, when she tried to sleep on her side again, she said the spinning sensation returned, so she was afraid to sleep on her side anymore.
Looking back, when she was in the car, she kept feeling like the car was turning left.
It was nighttime, and since I couldn't get her an appointment right away, and she said she wanted to sleep, I let her rest and decided to observe the situation.
Later that night, I checked on her several times and noticed that even when she turned to sleep on her side, she didn't mention feeling like things were spinning, so I let her rest well.
The next day, when she woke up, she said she felt fine.
Before she went to sleep, I asked her if she had fallen or bumped into anything, or if she felt any other discomfort, and she said no.
I asked if her discomfort could be related to her diet, and she said she hadn't vomited or had diarrhea, although she had experienced mild diarrhea discomfort a couple of days prior.
She had taken pain medication for her menstrual cramps (prescribed by the hospital, one every 12 hours, which she regularly takes during her menstrual cycle) for two days before feeling unwell.
She had also taken cold medicine (prescribed by the hospital, taken after meals, for symptoms like runny nose and cough) for about four to five days prior, and her cold was almost gone.
She mentioned that a colleague at work told her that dizziness could be related to an imbalance of certain substances in the blood and advised her not to drink too much water and to reduce salt intake.
Is this true?
She has a history of drug allergies, so she is always very cautious when seeing doctors and informs them about any medications to avoid potential allergens, as she has never experienced such a situation before.
I am quite worried; she says she no longer feels dizzy and doesn't want to go to the hospital, but I want to insist on having her checked.
If her eye movements are normal at this time, can she still be examined at the hospital? Should we see a neurologist? Please help clarify my concerns.
Thank you very much!
Jeff, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2001/02/24
Dr. Ye Boshou reply Neurology
To Jeff, I am very touched by your careful and detailed description of your symptoms! From your account, I believe it is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) caused by imbalance in the inner ear's semicircular canals.
It is usually episodic and related to posture, and it may recur.
During an episode, you can try to find a position where you do not feel dizzy, and it may vary with each occurrence, but you should be able to recover within a day.
You can perform positional training (sitting on the edge of the bed facing forward for two minutes → lying on one side for two minutes → sitting upright for two minutes → lying on the other side → sitting upright for two minutes, for about fifteen minutes to train the semicircular canals).
However, if you experience double vision, difficulty swallowing, or speech problems, you should see a neurologist immediately to rule out cerebellar or brainstem lesions.
If you are not dizzy, you may not need to worry, but if you are concerned, it is advisable to consult a neurologist and have medication on hand.
Reply Date: 2001/02/24
More Info
Dizziness can be a perplexing and concerning symptom, especially when it manifests suddenly and is accompanied by unusual sensations such as the feeling that the environment is spinning. In your wife's case, her experience of dizziness, particularly the sensation that the car was turning when it was not, could indicate a vestibular issue or a neurological concern. Given her age and the sudden onset of these symptoms, it is prudent to approach this situation with caution.
Firstly, it is important to understand the potential causes of dizziness. Dizziness can arise from various sources, including inner ear disorders (such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or vestibular neuritis), neurological conditions (such as migraines or multiple sclerosis), cardiovascular issues (like orthostatic hypotension), or even metabolic disturbances (such as dehydration or electrolyte imbalances). In your wife's case, the fact that she experienced dizziness after a recent menstrual cycle and had been taking pain medication could suggest a possible connection to blood pressure changes or dehydration.
The observation of her eyes moving uncontrollably (nystagmus) is particularly significant. Nystagmus can be associated with vestibular disorders or central nervous system issues. The fact that her symptoms improved when lying flat but recurred when she turned to her side could indicate a positional component to her dizziness, which is often seen in vestibular disorders.
Regarding your concern about whether to seek medical attention, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional, particularly a neurologist or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. Even if her symptoms have resolved, a thorough evaluation is essential to rule out any underlying conditions. Diagnostic tests may include a physical examination, balance tests, and possibly imaging studies such as an MRI or CT scan to assess for any neurological issues.
As for the comment made by her colleague about dizziness being related to imbalances in the blood, this could refer to various factors such as dehydration, low blood sugar, or electrolyte imbalances. While it is true that maintaining proper hydration and electrolyte balance is important, the specific advice to avoid drinking too much water or salt may not be universally applicable. Each individual's needs can vary, and it is best to consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
In summary, while your wife may currently feel better, the symptoms she experienced warrant further investigation. It is crucial to monitor her condition and seek medical advice to ensure that any potential issues are addressed promptly. Encourage her to visit a healthcare professional, as early intervention can often lead to better outcomes in managing dizziness and its underlying causes.
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