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Suggest Remedy For Dizziness When Undergoing Perimenopause
Question: Hi there I know I am going through Peri menopause for the last 4 years I have been suffering with light headness when standing or walking (fine when sitting down) its gets so bad I nearly pass out I call they my dizzy spell like a hot flush but I feel like I am going to faint... its so bad I dont want to socialise.... I also get neck pain and headaches but the dizzyness is dirivng me insane... I have had full blood tests, MRI, CT scans to eliminate health issues my hormone blood test comes back and says I am not in menopause so GP wont subscribe any medication I know this is what it is I also have not had a period for 14 months.. the dizzyiness is causing Anxity as well cause I dont want to go out but I do get it at home as well and its all day every day I want to know what perferably over the Counter (as GP wont believe it is) in Australia herbal or other medication I can try that might fix this light headness and let me get my life back.... Its sort of like motion sickness as its only happens when I am standing talking to someone or walking I sway when standing still and walk in a figure 8 as my kids put it when walking or like a drunk is another description a friend gave it please help me
Brief Answer:
Cause of dizziness needs to be detected.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
Considering your symptoms of dizziness with fainting feeling while standing or walking there are various reasons that need to be ruled out:
1. Cervical spondylosis - giving rise to cervical vertigo
2. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) - inner ear problem
3. Neurological - arising from brain
4. Cardiac cause - improper heart rhythm
The symptoms are not likely to be due to perimenopause or a hormonal disturbance.
The most common ENT cause for dizziness is BPPV, this is a condition of inner ear wherein there is dislodgement of the otoliths (small stone like things present in the semicircular canals of the inner ear) into the semicircular canal causing dizziness. Usually this lasts for few seconds to few minutes and it is noticed on getting up from the bed or on changing the neck positions. A detailed examination by an ENT specialist will help in detecting this.
The second most common cause is cervical vertigo secondary to cervical spondylosis. It so happens that the blood vessels passing through the vertebra gets compressed on turning the head/bending forward, leading to reduced supply of blood to the brain and causing dizziness. This can be diagnosed after MRI scan of the cervical spine. Avoiding using a pillow can help.
Irregular heartbeats also known as arrhythmia can also cause dizziness because of improper blood supply to the brain.
To sum it up, any of these above causes could be inducing dizziness and performing physical tests to rule out the BPPV or Neurological causes (related to the brain and the nerves) is necessary before starting with any medicine. Any herbal or home made treatments will not help you. Right now the best approach is to manage the dizziness symptomatically with Betahistine (Vertin or Serc- a prescription only medicine), vitamin B-complex and domperidone - Motilium 10mg- available OTC . You can also try Hyoscine ( brands include Kwells and Travacalm HO)
Do consult an ENT specialist for proper diagnosis and prescriptions.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal
Cause of dizziness needs to be detected.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
Considering your symptoms of dizziness with fainting feeling while standing or walking there are various reasons that need to be ruled out:
1. Cervical spondylosis - giving rise to cervical vertigo
2. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) - inner ear problem
3. Neurological - arising from brain
4. Cardiac cause - improper heart rhythm
The symptoms are not likely to be due to perimenopause or a hormonal disturbance.
The most common ENT cause for dizziness is BPPV, this is a condition of inner ear wherein there is dislodgement of the otoliths (small stone like things present in the semicircular canals of the inner ear) into the semicircular canal causing dizziness. Usually this lasts for few seconds to few minutes and it is noticed on getting up from the bed or on changing the neck positions. A detailed examination by an ENT specialist will help in detecting this.
The second most common cause is cervical vertigo secondary to cervical spondylosis. It so happens that the blood vessels passing through the vertebra gets compressed on turning the head/bending forward, leading to reduced supply of blood to the brain and causing dizziness. This can be diagnosed after MRI scan of the cervical spine. Avoiding using a pillow can help.
Irregular heartbeats also known as arrhythmia can also cause dizziness because of improper blood supply to the brain.
To sum it up, any of these above causes could be inducing dizziness and performing physical tests to rule out the BPPV or Neurological causes (related to the brain and the nerves) is necessary before starting with any medicine. Any herbal or home made treatments will not help you. Right now the best approach is to manage the dizziness symptomatically with Betahistine (Vertin or Serc- a prescription only medicine), vitamin B-complex and domperidone - Motilium 10mg- available OTC . You can also try Hyoscine ( brands include Kwells and Travacalm HO)
Do consult an ENT specialist for proper diagnosis and prescriptions.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi thanks for the review there was more to my question that I forgot to add
1. Cervical spondylosis - giving rise to cervical vertigo
2. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) - inner ear problem
3. Neurological - arising from brain
4. Cardiac cause - improper heart rhythm
I have had MRI, CT, blood tests, seen a nurologist and ENT all tests come back no unlining problem not BPPV or other brain issues, not inner ear and I have had heart tests as well not cardiac no obvious reasons, hence why I am sure its menopause as it is in the google list of 34 menopause symptoms and other ladies I have spoken to that have or are going through menopause have same or similar problems but I am not getting hot flushes etc and I have not had a period for 13 months but my blood tests come back with FHS of 130 so Dr wont admit it being menopause but they have elmitated every other possible reason that they can think of I have tried Serc it makes it worse..I am about to start trying Mangnesium and ginger and mutli viitiam do you think this will hep or anything else you think might work better I just cant handle it anymore its day after day and the headache as well but dizzyness is worse.
1. Cervical spondylosis - giving rise to cervical vertigo
2. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) - inner ear problem
3. Neurological - arising from brain
4. Cardiac cause - improper heart rhythm
I have had MRI, CT, blood tests, seen a nurologist and ENT all tests come back no unlining problem not BPPV or other brain issues, not inner ear and I have had heart tests as well not cardiac no obvious reasons, hence why I am sure its menopause as it is in the google list of 34 menopause symptoms and other ladies I have spoken to that have or are going through menopause have same or similar problems but I am not getting hot flushes etc and I have not had a period for 13 months but my blood tests come back with FHS of 130 so Dr wont admit it being menopause but they have elmitated every other possible reason that they can think of I have tried Serc it makes it worse..I am about to start trying Mangnesium and ginger and mutli viitiam do you think this will hep or anything else you think might work better I just cant handle it anymore its day after day and the headache as well but dizzyness is worse.
Brief Answer:
Menopause is a likely cause then.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
It is good that all your tests are normal and there is no major health issue involved. If MRI scan of cervical spine has also come normal then the symptoms can be attributed to menopause. In that case, increasing the electrolyte rich fluid intake, Vitamin B complex supplements and ginger ale can help you. You can also take a mild pain killer like acetaminophen to take care of the headache.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Menopause is a likely cause then.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
It is good that all your tests are normal and there is no major health issue involved. If MRI scan of cervical spine has also come normal then the symptoms can be attributed to menopause. In that case, increasing the electrolyte rich fluid intake, Vitamin B complex supplements and ginger ale can help you. You can also take a mild pain killer like acetaminophen to take care of the headache.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you and yes that why I say menopause unfortuantly the mild pain killer does not take care of headache and what about the lightheadness when standing or walking do you think the Vit B and ginger ale will help that.... is there anything else over the counter that you think would work better for the lightheadness or anything you think i could take to try and prevent the headache before it starts
Brief Answer:
Plenty of fluids will help.
Detailed Answer:
Usually extremes of temperature in weather and environment, bright light, loud sounds, coffee, chocolate, smoking, alcohol, emotional stress, are common triggers of a headache and associated dizziness. Be careful and try to avoid these triggers as much as possible.
Eat a healthy diet rich in plenty of fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables. Avoid high calorie diet, junk food, colas, coffee. Drink 1-2 litres of water daily. Do daily brisk walking exercise. Do Yoga for stress relief. Ge 6-8 hours of sleep daily. Regular massage will also help.
Taking anti oxidants like almonds, Ginko biloba and pumpkin seeds will also help.
Regards.
Plenty of fluids will help.
Detailed Answer:
Usually extremes of temperature in weather and environment, bright light, loud sounds, coffee, chocolate, smoking, alcohol, emotional stress, are common triggers of a headache and associated dizziness. Be careful and try to avoid these triggers as much as possible.
Eat a healthy diet rich in plenty of fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables. Avoid high calorie diet, junk food, colas, coffee. Drink 1-2 litres of water daily. Do daily brisk walking exercise. Do Yoga for stress relief. Ge 6-8 hours of sleep daily. Regular massage will also help.
Taking anti oxidants like almonds, Ginko biloba and pumpkin seeds will also help.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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