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What Causes Constant Dizzy Spells?
Question: I have the sensation that I am going to pass out. Most often occurs as I am going to sleep but also while I'm sleeping I will wake up because I'm about to pass out. I have been to ER 4 times and they don't check much because I don't have insurance. The only thing that shows in my bloodwork is a slightly low potassium level so I have increased my potassium. The dizzy spells cause panic attacks because it feels like I'm going to die and I'm now living on phenergan and xanax twice a day. How do I find out the cause of the dizzy/nearly passing out spells? This started a year ago and is triggered by high amts of caffeine. However, this last time it started with no known trigger and won't go away. The three previous episodes only lasted a few hours then months before the next one hit. Now I can't even drive my car. I, of course, avoid all caffeine.
Brief Answer:
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Good day.
Dizzy spells can occur due to many causes. It could be just a vasovagal syncope. It may be due to a abnormal heart beat or an abnormal electrical activity in brain.
We need to differentiate between these. The way to go about is to do an ECG and possibly a holter monitor to look for any abnormal heart beats in a 24-48 hour period.
If this is negative and if clincal examination warrants, next step would be to do an EEG, which is a brain mapping to look for abnormal electrical activity in brain which can cause dizzy spells.
But be assured that, most of the dizzy spells are benign and is caused by anxiety, fatigue, lack of sleep, dehydration etc. Many pills can cause dizzy spells as well.
What all medicines are you on now ? Do you have diabetes or do you take any pills which can possibly cause hypoglycemia?
Regarding the low potassium, again there are many reasons for it. Commonest being drug induced. Are you on any diuretics for fluid over load or hypertension? Are you on any steroids?
Apart from these, few hormonal conditions also can cause low potsassium. Are you hypertensive?
You need to meet an internal medicine specialist to examine and decide further. The more you google, the more confusion it cause.
Please go to an internal medicine doctor. He will have to sit with you and take a proper history, check your blood pressure lying and standing. Listen to your heart sounds and examiine your chest and abdomen. At the end of this, your doctor will have some dignosis and they will proceed in that direction further. Regarding the low pottasium, your doctor will check your medications and if no cause found, he may ask for few blood tests like thyroid functions and possible hormone tests based on the clinical examination.
You mentioned that you have adrenal fatigue. Could you explain in detail about it?
Please dont worry. This is a common compaint and most often, no serious cause can be found. Relax and stay cool. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol. Sleep well for at least 7 hours continuously and go to bed early.
Wish you all the best
Kind Regards
Binu
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Good day.
Dizzy spells can occur due to many causes. It could be just a vasovagal syncope. It may be due to a abnormal heart beat or an abnormal electrical activity in brain.
We need to differentiate between these. The way to go about is to do an ECG and possibly a holter monitor to look for any abnormal heart beats in a 24-48 hour period.
If this is negative and if clincal examination warrants, next step would be to do an EEG, which is a brain mapping to look for abnormal electrical activity in brain which can cause dizzy spells.
But be assured that, most of the dizzy spells are benign and is caused by anxiety, fatigue, lack of sleep, dehydration etc. Many pills can cause dizzy spells as well.
What all medicines are you on now ? Do you have diabetes or do you take any pills which can possibly cause hypoglycemia?
Regarding the low potassium, again there are many reasons for it. Commonest being drug induced. Are you on any diuretics for fluid over load or hypertension? Are you on any steroids?
Apart from these, few hormonal conditions also can cause low potsassium. Are you hypertensive?
You need to meet an internal medicine specialist to examine and decide further. The more you google, the more confusion it cause.
Please go to an internal medicine doctor. He will have to sit with you and take a proper history, check your blood pressure lying and standing. Listen to your heart sounds and examiine your chest and abdomen. At the end of this, your doctor will have some dignosis and they will proceed in that direction further. Regarding the low pottasium, your doctor will check your medications and if no cause found, he may ask for few blood tests like thyroid functions and possible hormone tests based on the clinical examination.
You mentioned that you have adrenal fatigue. Could you explain in detail about it?
Please dont worry. This is a common compaint and most often, no serious cause can be found. Relax and stay cool. Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol. Sleep well for at least 7 hours continuously and go to bed early.
Wish you all the best
Kind Regards
Binu
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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