Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Sudden Increased Dizziness And Clumsy Falls
Question: dizziness and 3 times in 3 months sudden increased dizziness and quickly falling, but not unconscious or in pain
Brief Answer:
need further testing
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The EKG would have shown if there was any issue with the rhythm and rate of the heart that would cause your dizzy episodes.
If you have palpitations and the EKG was normal, your doctor may suggest a holter which is a 24 hour EKG. It can pick up abnormal heart changes that the initial EKG may miss
An ECHO to take a look at how the heart is working (does not look at rate and rhythm like ekg but at the function of the heart), may also be needed.
If there are no palpitations or any other heart symptoms then other causes would need to be considered including:(1) inner ear conditions- inner ear is involved in balance
The most common inner ear conditions causing dizziness are meniere's disease, BPPV, vestibular neuronitis.
These would be treated by an ENT doctor or neurologist
(2)cholesterol plaques/build up in the carotid blood vessels which are the blood vessels that lead to the brain
If plaques are present in this area, they can sometimes send off small emboli/broken off pieces to the brain which can cause dizziness
(3) anemia- low blood count can also lead to dizziness and falls. A complete blood count would determine if this is the case
(4)related to the brain eg XXXXXXX strokes
To determine the exact cause of your symptoms may need: (1) a holter to check heart rate/rhythm for 24 hours
(2) depending on result and symptoms an echo may be needed
(3)complete blood count
(4)if normal ,then a CT scan brain may be needed
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
need further testing
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The EKG would have shown if there was any issue with the rhythm and rate of the heart that would cause your dizzy episodes.
If you have palpitations and the EKG was normal, your doctor may suggest a holter which is a 24 hour EKG. It can pick up abnormal heart changes that the initial EKG may miss
An ECHO to take a look at how the heart is working (does not look at rate and rhythm like ekg but at the function of the heart), may also be needed.
If there are no palpitations or any other heart symptoms then other causes would need to be considered including:(1) inner ear conditions- inner ear is involved in balance
The most common inner ear conditions causing dizziness are meniere's disease, BPPV, vestibular neuronitis.
These would be treated by an ENT doctor or neurologist
(2)cholesterol plaques/build up in the carotid blood vessels which are the blood vessels that lead to the brain
If plaques are present in this area, they can sometimes send off small emboli/broken off pieces to the brain which can cause dizziness
(3) anemia- low blood count can also lead to dizziness and falls. A complete blood count would determine if this is the case
(4)related to the brain eg XXXXXXX strokes
To determine the exact cause of your symptoms may need: (1) a holter to check heart rate/rhythm for 24 hours
(2) depending on result and symptoms an echo may be needed
(3)complete blood count
(4)if normal ,then a CT scan brain may be needed
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
