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Suggest Treatment For Severe Dizziness
Question: My husband suddenly got dizzy as he was driving us home. We barely missed an accident. He insisted that he did not want to see our doctor. Since we got home, he sat down and his head wobbled slightly. Now he is saying that he feels weak. He has taken Advil with some water, and is resting in his lounge chair. What could this possibly be?
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
The causes to those manifestations can be several. First it could be a heart related cause, an arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation causing inadequate blood supply. So if possible try to check his blood pressure and check whether his pulse is regular.
A brain related cause such as stroke must also be considered. A stroke involving the posterior part of the brain can cause dizziness. There usually are other symptoms though such as headache, slurred speech, vision issues, weakness or numbness of half of the body, movement coordination difficulties. If such symptoms are present should had to ER as soon as possible.
A metabolic issues such as blood glucose, electrolyte abnormalities etc or an inner ear dysfunction should also be considered if no heart or brain related causes are found
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
The causes to those manifestations can be several. First it could be a heart related cause, an arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation causing inadequate blood supply. So if possible try to check his blood pressure and check whether his pulse is regular.
A brain related cause such as stroke must also be considered. A stroke involving the posterior part of the brain can cause dizziness. There usually are other symptoms though such as headache, slurred speech, vision issues, weakness or numbness of half of the body, movement coordination difficulties. If such symptoms are present should had to ER as soon as possible.
A metabolic issues such as blood glucose, electrolyte abnormalities etc or an inner ear dysfunction should also be considered if no heart or brain related causes are found
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your answer. He has not had slurred speech, vision issues, numbness, or coordination problems. He does not drink a lot of water; preferring wine or alcohol. And he is overweight, not exercising much. Can dehydration be a cause? I don't want to be nagging him if I can avoid it. I also wonder if he should be tested for hypothyroidism next week when we see our doctor for our regular appointments next week. What is your thought? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the update. It is reassuring that he has other signs.
Yes dehydration can certainly cause dizziness, drinking alcohol instead of water doesn't certainly help, it adds also liver conditions to the metabolic possibilities.
In case of dehydration blood pressure should be low. I understand that you do not want to nag him, but measuring blood pressure and taking his pulse shouldn't be much of a bother.
As for hypothyroidism, yes it can cause weakness and fatigue, but it is more of a chronic issue, not something which occurs so suddenly. If the symptoms persists TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) level should be taken though among some other routine tests such as blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, c-reactive protein, blood glucose, liver and kidney function, electrolytes.
I hope to have been of help.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the update. It is reassuring that he has other signs.
Yes dehydration can certainly cause dizziness, drinking alcohol instead of water doesn't certainly help, it adds also liver conditions to the metabolic possibilities.
In case of dehydration blood pressure should be low. I understand that you do not want to nag him, but measuring blood pressure and taking his pulse shouldn't be much of a bother.
As for hypothyroidism, yes it can cause weakness and fatigue, but it is more of a chronic issue, not something which occurs so suddenly. If the symptoms persists TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) level should be taken though among some other routine tests such as blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, c-reactive protein, blood glucose, liver and kidney function, electrolytes.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
God bless you, Dr. Taka! I am grateful for your care. Please be prepared to hear from me tomorrow about myself. I have partial onset seizures that occur approximately every three weeks. That is another reason I was so concerned about my husband. I can't drive, and I need him to get me around.
Brief Answer:
I will be happy to answer any other query.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your appreciative words.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
I will be happy to answer any other query.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your appreciative words.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Taka, I am 63 years old & have had partial onset seizures since I was probably in my mid-30s. Of course, at the time, I was unaware of them. It did not become evident to us until I had the only grand mal seizure in my life. I never had a head injury, so no cause has been determined. I experience "zone-outs" for a short time, then a short period of confusion, then back to normal. No matter my stress level, it seems that I have a seizure approximately every 3 weeks. I take Depakote ER 250 mg. (1 in the a.m., 1 @ 2:00 p.m, & 2 @ night), Paxil 20 mg. (1 @ night), and Keppra 750 mg. (2 in the a.m. & 2 @ night). I also take Levothyroxine 125 mcg. (1 per day). Is there something more I can do to reduce the number of seizures I must endure?
Brief Answer:
A raise of dosage may be tried.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
The medications you used for your seizures are among the most widely used drugs in the treatment of epilepsy. Now since seizure control hasn’t been achieved there are two main options, either to raise the dosage when possible or to try another drug as in different patients one drug may be more efficient than another, there are many antiepileptics out there with different mechanisms of action.
In your case it looks from the dosages you’re under there is place for a dose increase. Both drugs are taken at a minimal dose, especially Depakote which is rarely prescribed under 900 mg/day. So I would try to raise its dosage to 1000 mg /day (either four 250 mg tablets or two 500 mg tablets).
Let me know if I can further assist you.
A raise of dosage may be tried.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
The medications you used for your seizures are among the most widely used drugs in the treatment of epilepsy. Now since seizure control hasn’t been achieved there are two main options, either to raise the dosage when possible or to try another drug as in different patients one drug may be more efficient than another, there are many antiepileptics out there with different mechanisms of action.
In your case it looks from the dosages you’re under there is place for a dose increase. Both drugs are taken at a minimal dose, especially Depakote which is rarely prescribed under 900 mg/day. So I would try to raise its dosage to 1000 mg /day (either four 250 mg tablets or two 500 mg tablets).
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you once again. I truly appreciate your assistance. Have a great weekend!
Brief Answer:
Thank you!
Detailed Answer:
A great weekend to you as well!
Thank you!
Detailed Answer:
A great weekend to you as well!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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