HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Tinnitus And Vertigo Upon Waking Up?

default
Posted on Tue, 14 Jun 2016
Question: What do you think is causing this problem. Sometimes upon waking and after long periods of reading when I look left or right I hear a zzt, zzt, noise, and I fee some type of vertigo or disconnection. I have nerve damage to C 4,5, & 6. I have had this occur acne for approximately 15 years. It comes and goes. At times this also makes me feel very anxious.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (56 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Read below.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

Issues of tinnitus (hearing sounds) and vertigo can be due to many different causes, most of them related to the ear as our ears are not only responsible of hearing function but also very much involved in balance, so issues of middle and inner ears and the nerves connecting ears to the brain can manifest with tinnitus and vertigo.

Some common issues can be infections, exposure to loud noises, exposure to toxins such as lead or some medications. Some types of vascular malformations may manifest with tinnitus but it is usually constant and pulsatile (like hearing heartbeat). Acoustic nerve tumors are another cause but the symptoms are usually on only one side and are persistent and progressively increasing, do not come and go.

Apart from these local issues at times other issues may be involved such as thyroid dysfunction, anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency. Anxiety is a common cause as well.

As you can see the list is long so I will stop before risking to confuse you. What is important is to identify patterns which may sound the alarm bells, such as progressively increasing symptoms, pulsation character, headache, other neurological manifestations such as weakness of facial muscles or limbs on one side, speech articulating difficulties, coordination and balance issues, eye movement issues etc. It is in that case that particular care is needed and head imaging with MRI may be considered.

In your case I do not see any such worrying symptoms, the fact that the symptoms have been present for years, coming and going is enough to ease your worries, often this pattern is more related to stress and anxiety. Some routine blood tests to check for anemia, thyroid function, vitamin B12 levels etc (if you haven't already had them during this time) as well as an ear exam is recommended, but on a non urgent basis.

I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Tinnitus And Vertigo Upon Waking Up?

Brief Answer: Read below. Detailed Answer: I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. Issues of tinnitus (hearing sounds) and vertigo can be due to many different causes, most of them related to the ear as our ears are not only responsible of hearing function but also very much involved in balance, so issues of middle and inner ears and the nerves connecting ears to the brain can manifest with tinnitus and vertigo. Some common issues can be infections, exposure to loud noises, exposure to toxins such as lead or some medications. Some types of vascular malformations may manifest with tinnitus but it is usually constant and pulsatile (like hearing heartbeat). Acoustic nerve tumors are another cause but the symptoms are usually on only one side and are persistent and progressively increasing, do not come and go. Apart from these local issues at times other issues may be involved such as thyroid dysfunction, anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency. Anxiety is a common cause as well. As you can see the list is long so I will stop before risking to confuse you. What is important is to identify patterns which may sound the alarm bells, such as progressively increasing symptoms, pulsation character, headache, other neurological manifestations such as weakness of facial muscles or limbs on one side, speech articulating difficulties, coordination and balance issues, eye movement issues etc. It is in that case that particular care is needed and head imaging with MRI may be considered. In your case I do not see any such worrying symptoms, the fact that the symptoms have been present for years, coming and going is enough to ease your worries, often this pattern is more related to stress and anxiety. Some routine blood tests to check for anemia, thyroid function, vitamin B12 levels etc (if you haven't already had them during this time) as well as an ear exam is recommended, but on a non urgent basis. I remain at your disposal for other questions.