What Causes Dizziness And Pressure In The Eyes?
For quite some time (about a year ago), I was having serious bouts of dizziness/lightheadedness/eye pressure daily, to the point where it frightened me enough to go to the ER to see if I had a tumor or something. I ended up taking an allergy nasal spray, which seemed to do the trick (but I know isn't an ultimate cure). It has slightly returned, with a coming and going headache on the top right side of my head, along with noticeable eye pressure, particularly when I look far to one side or the other (when I look all the way to one side or top to bottom, I feel as if my eyes are shaking and are pressurized). I also have a general cloudiness/pressurized discomfort all around my head. My ultimate questions are...
Does this sound like something serious, like a tumor?
And if not, who should I start the investigation with (the now one year old ct scan didn't find anything and my general Doctor couldn't help)?
Thank you so much!!
Sinus pressure that resolves with steroid spray:
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Given that an allergy nasal spray (was it a steroid nasal spray such as Flonase?) did the trick, I do not think you have a tumor. If you had a tumor, nothing you could do would make symptoms go away even while taking it.
If a steroid nasal spray did the trick, the underlying problem is likely to be pressure in the sinuses due to reactions to something in your environment. August to part of September is high weed allergen time, in particular ragweed.
Many people used steroid nasal sprays continuously. I have been on one for years.
If you want to pursue this further, you can see an ENT physician or an ophthalmologist, but be sure to let them know that the symptoms resolved with use of steroid nasal spray.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if you have further questions.
Would not come and go.
Detailed Answer:
Tumors can cause all sorts of symptoms BUT, they don't come and go. If a tumor is present, the symptoms would continue.
Best regards
Detailed Answer:
Your welcome. So take the nasal steroid again and if it doesn't work well for you, then do see an ENT doctor.
Best regards,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Questions for you
Detailed Answer:
Is the Flonase no longer helping enough?
And how long have you been taking it?
Guide for when to seek evaluation for headaches.
Detailed Answer:
Flonase can be used up to 2x/day.
If that doesn't do the trick, time to see an ENT or allergist.
A parietal area headache is less likely to be from sinus congestion. It can be from tension, jaw clenching or any number of reasons. A general recommendation for when to have any headache evaluated is if it is ongoing, or if it is severe. (Also if there are any neurological deficits such as a facial droop, etc, but this does not apply here.)
I'll start the flonase 2x a say and see if that changes. Thank you so much for your help doctor. Means the world to me.
headaches
Detailed Answer:
If you continue to have that parietal area headache in 2 days, then I do think it needs to be evaluated, regardless of the effects of Flonase on your sinuses. You can start with your primary care doctor and then to a neurologist.
Headaches
Detailed Answer:
Headaches can be caused by so many different causes. Muscle tension with or without nerve inflammation, vasospasm and vasoconstiction, migraines, physical trauma, dehydration, lack of sleep, can all cause headaches - cancerous tumors are less common, but need to be ruled out with imaging studies (CT or MRI) if headaches persist. They are low on the list of occurring though.
Glad to help.
Detailed Answer:
I'm glad you will be seeing your physician.
I don't consider it nagging. The limitation of telemedicine (in addition to not being able to do a physical exam) is that conversations are limited to brief back and forth emails. But we are able to provide some additional information and advice to complement a patient's time with their physician.
If you are willing, I invite you to let me know how you are doing after you have been evaluated. That is the other limitation of telemedicine - we don't always get follow up.
Ok
Detailed Answer:
Ok - good luck at your appointment.