Brief Answer:
it was probably a minor stroke. MRI Brain required
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Thanks for your query.
Firstly, in order to PINPOINT the exact cause of your problems; give you a SOUND professional advice; and, TRUE VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY, may I request you to kindly provide additional information as follows :-
# Have you been having headaches with nausea or vomiting,
double vision prior to onset of vertigo 4 weeks back?
# Are you a patient of
high blood pressure, diabetes,
heart disease or obesity??
# Did you vomit when you felt the room spinning, 4 weeks back?
# Please share with me, any other problems, if any, in as much details as possible.
Nevertheless, pending receipt of the additional information, vertigo and
unsteady gait occur due to problem of either, internal ear, cerebellum (posterior part of the brain) or the brainstem (described below).
As the onset of problems were abrupt, and still persisting, it was probably a minor stroke of either the cerebellum or the upper part of
spinal cord (called brainstem) which connects to the brain.
The possible causes of stroke are :-
1. A
thromboembolism causing obstruction to blood flow in the artery supplying the cerebellum or the brainstem.
2. High blood pressure, causing a minor bleed.
3.
High cholesterol levels promote deposition of cholesterol in the lumen of blood vessels (called plaques, which jut inside the arteries and consequent narrowing with obstruction to blood flow). Sometimes, a piece of the plaque- in the main arteries supplying the brain- dislodges, gets carried by the blood stream to arteries of the brain, cutting off the blood supply.
4. Diabetes is a potential risk for strokes.
5. Rarely, a tumor of the nerve which supplies the internal ear (tumor is called Accoustic neuroma), which produces both : vertigo and unsteady gait.
I PERSONALLY AM OF THE OPINION THAT YOUR TREATING DOCTOR SHOULD HAVE ADVISED MRI OF BRAIN or Angio-MRI in the first instance to see for evidence of infarct/bleeding in the brain.
Consult your doctor and apprise him of my opinion. I am certain that he will agree with my opinion; order required tests, and- based on the reports- will arrive at a certain diagnosis and prescribe suitable treatment as advised.
It would however, be a pleasure to receive the additional information as requested, in addition to the test reports, which you must have received by now.
Hope I have addressed to your concerns to your complete satisfaction and you find my response helpful and informative. I will be happy to answer further queries, if any.
Fond regards and have a nice day,
Dr. Rakesh Karanwal