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Is Dizziness A Symptom Of TIA?
Question: I AM HAVING DIZZY SPELLS THAT LAST 10 to 15 minutes. I stagger to my right side and if I just lay down for awhile it usually goes away. could it be a TIA?
Brief Answer:
Possible
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Dizziness can have different causes. Whether there is a possibility that these spells are TIAs ... yes it is a possibility. TIA in the posterior part of the brain can potentially manifest that way.
There are other causes though. Another possibility is an inner ear issue, an organ involved in balance.
Another possibility could be issues like anemia or metabolic disorders, heart arrhythmia, low blood pressure etc.
So a physical exam to look for both neurological and ear related signs is the first step, together with some routine blood tests and a EKG. If your physician finds nothing to indicate any ear, circulation or metabolic issue then imaging of the neck vessels to look for narrowing of the neck arteries supplying the brain is justified. Such narrowing may lead to episodes of insufficient blood supply to the brain and dizzy spells. Imaging may be done ideally through Angio CT or Angio MRI, though at times since these are expensive tests and may be waiting times an ultrasound may be done initially.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Possible
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Dizziness can have different causes. Whether there is a possibility that these spells are TIAs ... yes it is a possibility. TIA in the posterior part of the brain can potentially manifest that way.
There are other causes though. Another possibility is an inner ear issue, an organ involved in balance.
Another possibility could be issues like anemia or metabolic disorders, heart arrhythmia, low blood pressure etc.
So a physical exam to look for both neurological and ear related signs is the first step, together with some routine blood tests and a EKG. If your physician finds nothing to indicate any ear, circulation or metabolic issue then imaging of the neck vessels to look for narrowing of the neck arteries supplying the brain is justified. Such narrowing may lead to episodes of insufficient blood supply to the brain and dizzy spells. Imaging may be done ideally through Angio CT or Angio MRI, though at times since these are expensive tests and may be waiting times an ultrasound may be done initially.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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