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What Causes Sudden Onset Of Severe Dizziness And Vision Loss?
Question: My daughter is 40 years old. She is having sudden on sets of severe dizziness and loss of vision. She has had mild dizziness in the past, but nothing like this. Sometimes bad headaches, but not all the time. It takes a few hours to improve. If standing she has to have help to lay down or she will fall. The last incident she was driving a car. It came on suddenly and she had trouble seeing well enough to pull to the side of the road. She was there for over an hour before someone came to help her. Her family doctor has done blood work and she had an MRI which she was told didn't show anything. The doctor now thinks she could have swelling in the inner ear and started her on prednisone. What could cause these systems? They seem to be getting worse.
Brief Answer:
Lowering of blood pressure and Meniere disease should be considered.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Episodes of dizziness and vision loss could be related to inner ear dysfunction.
Meniere disease is one of the inner ear dysfunction conditions that may explain your doughter's symptoms.
However, I need to ask few questions about your doughter's symptoms and condition:
- is there any hearing loos, or ringing in the ear?
- is there any hearing and balance nerve (VIII-th cranial nerve) swelling or thickness evidenced by MRI?
Another possible condition that may explain your doughter's symptoms, the answer to above questions is negative, is episodic lowering of blood pressure.
Regular measurement of blood pressure three times a day for few days is needed to evaluate this possibility.
There are other less probable conditions that may explain your doughter's symptoms, but more information is needed about symptoms and general health condition such weight, physical activity, habits etc.
Awaiting for more information.....
Lowering of blood pressure and Meniere disease should be considered.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Episodes of dizziness and vision loss could be related to inner ear dysfunction.
Meniere disease is one of the inner ear dysfunction conditions that may explain your doughter's symptoms.
However, I need to ask few questions about your doughter's symptoms and condition:
- is there any hearing loos, or ringing in the ear?
- is there any hearing and balance nerve (VIII-th cranial nerve) swelling or thickness evidenced by MRI?
Another possible condition that may explain your doughter's symptoms, the answer to above questions is negative, is episodic lowering of blood pressure.
Regular measurement of blood pressure three times a day for few days is needed to evaluate this possibility.
There are other less probable conditions that may explain your doughter's symptoms, but more information is needed about symptoms and general health condition such weight, physical activity, habits etc.
Awaiting for more information.....
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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