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What Causes A Sudden Onset Of Dizziness?
Question: Husband had a sudden onslaught of dizziness to the point of laying on the floor unable to move, about 45 min later was able to get to the bed. Sweating profusely and nauseated and with a migraine. No fever, is subject to migraines almost daily, The dizziness is a concern, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
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Brief Answer:
Sudden vertigo could be a sign of headache, Meniere's disease, or seizure
Detailed Answer:
Good afternoon. I'm sorry this cataclysmic event happened. If the episode of "dizziness" came out of nowhere...and to me it sounds as if your husband suddenly became VERTIGINOUS as in the WORLD spinning around and if this was also accompanied by a significant loss of hearing in one ear with ringing in the ears and/or nausea/vomiting that decked him for 45 min. then, he may have just experienced his first episode of HYDROPS or MENIERE's disease. This would be best evaluated by an ENT specialist.
If on the other hand the picture is more of MIGRAINE daily, meaning throbbing or pounding headaches on one side of the head of a severe nature with nausea/vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound (photo/phonophobia) that last at least 4 hrs.-72 hrs. then, the dizziness you describe could be representative of a phenomenon known as VERTIGINOUS MIGRAINE. Treatment for this condition is to target the MIGRAINE headache for the most part and to make sure he stops having DAILY headaches. He should see either a headache specialist or a neurologist who has an interest in headache since this can become complex in terms of treating adequately being careful not to OVERtreat.
The other thing I would be concerned about is the possibility of some type of cerebrovascular phenomenon that may have occurred at the level of the vertebrobasilar artery or the anterior inferior cerebellar or posterior inferior cerebellar arteries causing a sudden loss of blood supply to the brainstem/cerebellum. In other words, he may have had a TIA and so in that light I think a neurologist should definitely take a look at things and potentially order an MRI of the brain with MRA of the head and neck and to also include stroke protocol parameters such as diffusion/perfusion weighted imaging studies.
If your question was adequately responded to could you do me a favor and not forget to CLOSE THE QUERY if you've no more questions?
I sincerely hope you start to feel a bit better and are able to take advantage of the information I've mentioned in order to obtain the best treatment possible and start turning things around.
This query has utilized a total of 11 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Sudden vertigo could be a sign of headache, Meniere's disease, or seizure
Detailed Answer:
Good afternoon. I'm sorry this cataclysmic event happened. If the episode of "dizziness" came out of nowhere...and to me it sounds as if your husband suddenly became VERTIGINOUS as in the WORLD spinning around and if this was also accompanied by a significant loss of hearing in one ear with ringing in the ears and/or nausea/vomiting that decked him for 45 min. then, he may have just experienced his first episode of HYDROPS or MENIERE's disease. This would be best evaluated by an ENT specialist.
If on the other hand the picture is more of MIGRAINE daily, meaning throbbing or pounding headaches on one side of the head of a severe nature with nausea/vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound (photo/phonophobia) that last at least 4 hrs.-72 hrs. then, the dizziness you describe could be representative of a phenomenon known as VERTIGINOUS MIGRAINE. Treatment for this condition is to target the MIGRAINE headache for the most part and to make sure he stops having DAILY headaches. He should see either a headache specialist or a neurologist who has an interest in headache since this can become complex in terms of treating adequately being careful not to OVERtreat.
The other thing I would be concerned about is the possibility of some type of cerebrovascular phenomenon that may have occurred at the level of the vertebrobasilar artery or the anterior inferior cerebellar or posterior inferior cerebellar arteries causing a sudden loss of blood supply to the brainstem/cerebellum. In other words, he may have had a TIA and so in that light I think a neurologist should definitely take a look at things and potentially order an MRI of the brain with MRA of the head and neck and to also include stroke protocol parameters such as diffusion/perfusion weighted imaging studies.
If your question was adequately responded to could you do me a favor and not forget to CLOSE THE QUERY if you've no more questions?
I sincerely hope you start to feel a bit better and are able to take advantage of the information I've mentioned in order to obtain the best treatment possible and start turning things around.
This query has utilized a total of 11 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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