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What Causes Dizziness And Feeling Disoriented While On BP Medications?
I have been dizzy and off balance for two weeks. I am on mEds for high blood pressure cholesterol and I am 50 lbs overweight and have had severe cramps in my legs, mostly at night. I am not very active physically. The last two years I have been dealing with a husband with early Alzheimer s. I am 70 years old. The tests say my heart and blood pressure are ok. What could be causing the dizziness?
Thu, 6 Oct 2016
Hello.
From your symptoms I would first like to rule out drug-induced dizziness. This may be caused by postural hypotension, i.e. fall in your BP upon standing or even getting up from lying down position. The cramps in your legs may also be caused by dehydration and electrolyte imbalance which is likely if you have a diuretic as part of your medications. Please ask your physician to review your medications.
Another common cause of dizziness is BPPV i.e. benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. The characteristic of this condition is that dizziness will appear immediately after any sudden movement of the head for eg. on getting up from the bed or moving the head side to side. This occurs due to an imbalance in the part of the inner ear which is responsible for maintaining balance most commonly due to a small stone. It may resolve spontaneously or your physician may reposition the stone by doing a series of maneuvers. Some cases need medication which suppress the sensation in the ear (donot cause deafness).
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr Geeta
From your symptoms I would first like to rule out drug-induced dizziness. This may be caused by postural hypotension, i.e. fall in your BP upon standing or even getting up from lying down position. The cramps in your legs may also be caused by dehydration and electrolyte imbalance which is likely if you have a diuretic as part of your medications. Please ask your physician to review your medications.
Another common cause of dizziness is BPPV i.e. benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. The characteristic of this condition is that dizziness will appear immediately after any sudden movement of the head for eg. on getting up from the bed or moving the head side to side. This occurs due to an imbalance in the part of the inner ear which is responsible for maintaining balance most commonly due to a small stone. It may resolve spontaneously or your physician may reposition the stone by doing a series of maneuvers. Some cases need medication which suppress the sensation in the ear (donot cause deafness).
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr Geeta
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