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Are Balance Issues And Coordination Difficulties Indicative Of A Stroke?
Question: I have a question concerning dizziness.
My neice about two weeks ago during a movie at the theater started feeling completely dizzy, she has been feeling that way for two weeks with pretty bad headaches. She went to her doctor yesterday, and he set her up for an MRI. She could not walk the line with feeling off balance, and could not touch her nose with her finger. She could touch it with both hands, but not just with one. Any ideas what might cause such a thing>
My neice about two weeks ago during a movie at the theater started feeling completely dizzy, she has been feeling that way for two weeks with pretty bad headaches. She went to her doctor yesterday, and he set her up for an MRI. She could not walk the line with feeling off balance, and could not touch her nose with her finger. She could touch it with both hands, but not just with one. Any ideas what might cause such a thing>
Brief Answer:
A stroke might be the cause.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Judging by that description you provide with sudden onset of headache, balance issues and coordination difficulties I would say that the main worry is that of a brain lesion, in particular, a stroke.
A stroke in the posterior areas of the brain may manifest with all of those symptoms as there is where the cerebellum (little brain) and other balance and coordination centers are situated.
I suppose that is why the doctor suggested a MRI which is the best test to detect a stroke in those areas. So I agree with it being the next necessary step.
You do not mention when is she going to have the MRI. I suggest it to be as soon as possible.
If scheduling it will take some time I would consider the possibility of presenting to the emergency room (ER).
Depending on where you live, hospital level and policies an MRI may not always be possible in an ER setting, but a CT scan is available in most ERs and while not as sensitive as the MRI it is still able to detect most lesions of the brain and supply vessels.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Olsi Taka, Neurologist
A stroke might be the cause.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Judging by that description you provide with sudden onset of headache, balance issues and coordination difficulties I would say that the main worry is that of a brain lesion, in particular, a stroke.
A stroke in the posterior areas of the brain may manifest with all of those symptoms as there is where the cerebellum (little brain) and other balance and coordination centers are situated.
I suppose that is why the doctor suggested a MRI which is the best test to detect a stroke in those areas. So I agree with it being the next necessary step.
You do not mention when is she going to have the MRI. I suggest it to be as soon as possible.
If scheduling it will take some time I would consider the possibility of presenting to the emergency room (ER).
Depending on where you live, hospital level and policies an MRI may not always be possible in an ER setting, but a CT scan is available in most ERs and while not as sensitive as the MRI it is still able to detect most lesions of the brain and supply vessels.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Olsi Taka, Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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