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Suggest Treatment For Dizziness And Heaviness In Head

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Posted on Mon, 29 Jun 2015
Question: Hi. I m XXXX. I m 27 years old. A pure vegan. I was diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency. It was 17 in February 2014. It's has now risen to 27 in May 2015. My B12 Levels were 368 in feb 2014 which after taking lot of injections and medications have risen Upto 700 in April 2015. I have done an MRI of my spine which suggests that I have L5 spodilytis. My stomach endoscopy tests so that I have GRADE 1 HIATUS HERNIA. Apart from this I have done my brain MRI, multiple blood tests, urine tests, 2D Echo, sonography. All these are normal. I have visited various kinds of doctors

I have been having dizzy spells since last 3 months. Further my neck pains a lot. Generally in the evening my head feels very heavy especially from the front near my nose and eyes and between my eyebrows. I just don't know what to do about it. This dizziness is driving me nuts to the extent that sometimes I cannot make out whether I m feeling dizzy or not. I also feel weak generally. I also have lot of gas problem. Any medications which I take results into gas. Currently I m just taking vitamin d sachets (60000 iu) and XXXXXXX homeopathy medicines. I have complete desk based job. Most of the doctors I have consulted have said that I have anxeity problem. May be to an extent but it's all because of my health and the dizzy spells.

Could any of you help me come to correct diagnosis and help me get rid of the dizzinness and heaviness in my head.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
cervical spondylosis can be the possible cause.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXXXXX
Welcome to HCM.
I understand your concerns.

You have low vitamin d levels. MRI lumbar spine shows L5 spondylitis. You have grade 1 Hiatus Hernia.
Most of other investigations are normal.

Now, you have dizzy spells, pain in neck, heaviness in forehead and weakness.
You have been suggested that these symptoms are due to anxiety.

Well, I have some difference of opinion. I have seen lot of my patients who present with similar complaints and are usually diagnosed with anxiety disorder.
But, many of patients are diagnosed with cervical spondylosis when assessed thoroughly on follow-ups.

Cervical spondylosis can be a cause of dizziness, which at times appears to be unexplained. A cervical spine MRI can help to determine the pathology.

Suck kind of dizziness is worse during head movements or after maintaining one head position for a long time.

Since you have complete desk based job, there are high chances that this may be the cause.

So, I would suggest you to go for MRI of cervical spine.
Visit a physiotherapist for neck pain. As the pain is relieved, the dizziness should decrease.
If still persist, then we can work on lines of anxiety.

Gas problem can be due to hiatus hernia. You can take antacids for this and avoid spicy and fatty foods.

Hope this helps.
Feel free to ask further.

Take care.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (46 hours later)
Thanks a lot for the reply. I was diagnosed with Cervical Spondylitis in March 2015. The orthopedician I visited took an xray and confirmed it. However I was not given any report. Therefore I don’t know the exact location where the problem was. I underwent acupressure treatment. Things improved. I thereafter underwent an MRI of Cervical and Spine to check the progress which suggested L5 spondylitis. However, soon thereafter I again developed neck pain a month back. So this time around I decided to visit a Physiotherapist. He took a good look at me and told me that my neck, shoulder and upper back muscles have changed their shape and are spasmed a lot. They have drouped completely. He was also of the similar view that dizziness is related to cervical spondylitis. What I want to know from you is that:

I sometimes suffer from brain fog to. Is this too related to spondylitis?
All my major symptoms increase during the evening. Y is this so?
The physiotherapist suggested that I get my sinus checked? What do u suggest?

As for Vitamin D deficiency. I have taken 2 sachets of Vitamin D3. Does this deficiency, also result into my symptoms? Because I normally feel good for a day or two after taking these Vitamin D sachets. How much time does it normally take to recover from this deficiency? Would I have to take it for lifetime atleast the maintenance doses? I have read that generally Vitamin D is to be taken along with magnesium supplements. Is that correct? How should I check my magnesium and other mineral levels?

For Haitus Hernia is there any permanent solution?

Moreover, some days are good and some are really bad I just don’t know what triggers this? I have done lot of changes in my lifestyle in the last 3 months. Having proper food, exercising, sleeping on time, etc. but still my symptoms do not improve.

I am tired of explaining my symptoms to people here. Almost all docs say its anxiety or depression. I am really fed up with this dizziness and heaviness in my head. Please help. Its been a blind marathon of a year and a half.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (12 hours later)
Brief Answer:
cervical spondylitis symptoms overlapping with vitamin D deficiency.

Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome dear XXXXXXX

Sorry for the late response.

Yes, spondylitis can cause brain fog as well. The reason behind this is that the prolapsed disc can hinder blood vessels.

The symptoms increase during evening because you have a sitting job. The muscle get fatigued by evening and end up in spasm.

Sinusitis can be one of the cause for heaviness in forehead. Its better to get sinuses checked.

Vitamin D deficiency can cause fatigue, dizziness and muscle weakness but not pain in neck.
It true that magnesium helps body to use vitamin D.
You don't need a test for magnesium, and testing is really not very good because magnesium needs and levels change minute by minute and hour by hour.
Also, testing every mineral is not a feasible option.
You can get good amounts of magnesium and other minerals from foods such as leafy green vegetables like spinach, nuts and seeds, and whole grains in your diet.

The exact duration of treatment can be decided by vitamin D levels every 3 months. You must keep taking these supplements under your doctor's guidance.
Adequate exposure to sunlight is also important to promote synthesis of vitamin D naturally.

For hiatus hernia, a surgeon can give better opinion. Its beyond my expertise.

Regular physiotherapy, specifically directed for cervical spondylitis for persistent benefits. Even a continuous 1 hour sitting can trigger this.

I think your symptoms should not have been dismissed by labelling them just anxiety and depression.

To sum up,
The most probable reason for your symptoms is cervical spondylitis.
Vitamin D deficiency can be an additive factor.
Both require proper treatment (physiotherapy and vitamin D supplements).

Kindly discuss this with your doctor.

Hope my suggestions could help you to some extent.
I wish you speedy recovery.

Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (3 days later)
Thanks for the advice doc. Physiotherapy has helped a lot. While the neck pain is almost gone, the dizziness has not reduced proprtionately. Does it take longer for the dizziness go ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
dizziness will take time.

Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome :)

Dear, I am happy that my suggestions helped you.

You must continue with physiotherapy till your doctor suggests.

The dizziness will take time to resolve as disc prolapse would be the reason for it.
You must take the precautions like not bending your neck beyond limit, keeping it straight as far as possible, exercising regularly as advised by your doctor.

The pain decreases early as the muscle spasms are resolved fast with physiotherapy.

Keep yourself well hydrated.
Check your blood pressure regularly.

I wish you good health.

Kindly close the discussion if you have no more queries and give your valuable feedback.

Take care.
Thanks.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2145 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Dizziness And Heaviness In Head

Brief Answer: cervical spondylosis can be the possible cause. Detailed Answer: Hello Mr. XXXXXXX Welcome to HCM. I understand your concerns. You have low vitamin d levels. MRI lumbar spine shows L5 spondylitis. You have grade 1 Hiatus Hernia. Most of other investigations are normal. Now, you have dizzy spells, pain in neck, heaviness in forehead and weakness. You have been suggested that these symptoms are due to anxiety. Well, I have some difference of opinion. I have seen lot of my patients who present with similar complaints and are usually diagnosed with anxiety disorder. But, many of patients are diagnosed with cervical spondylosis when assessed thoroughly on follow-ups. Cervical spondylosis can be a cause of dizziness, which at times appears to be unexplained. A cervical spine MRI can help to determine the pathology. Suck kind of dizziness is worse during head movements or after maintaining one head position for a long time. Since you have complete desk based job, there are high chances that this may be the cause. So, I would suggest you to go for MRI of cervical spine. Visit a physiotherapist for neck pain. As the pain is relieved, the dizziness should decrease. If still persist, then we can work on lines of anxiety. Gas problem can be due to hiatus hernia. You can take antacids for this and avoid spicy and fatty foods. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask further. Take care. Thanks.