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What Causes Dizziness, Headaches And Loss Of Consciousness?

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Posted on Mon, 21 Sep 2015
Question: My wife was bringing my daughter to college, she has been complaining about feeling dizzy, headaches, thirsty, tired all the time, she says she has a constant small of cigarettes in an ashtray but she doesn't smoke. While walking down the street with my daughter, all of a sudden she said the sidewalk XXXXXXX up and she felt dizzy. They sat down for a bit, she got up and walked a little further and she collapsed. My daughter got a cab and took her to the ER and the checked her heart and then waited for three hours to see a doctor who never came. They left and she is on a plane coming home now says she feels a little better. But the smell issue has been going on for years and she has had a bunch of test but nothing comes to the surface. But this is the first time she has passed out on the street. Going to bring her to get checked up but any thoughts of what could be making these symptoms happen. She is 51, good shape, a swimmer, weighs 120, 5'7, thanks XXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Most likely seizures.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

Distorted smell, headaches, dizziness and finally an episode with loss of consciousness are most likely to be related to temporal lobe seizures.

You mentioned about your wife having done a bunch of tests, is brain MRI one of them?

This because another possibility of your wife's concerns could be a frontal lobe (olfactory) lesion.

In my opinion, your wife should be examined by a Neurologist first and, if any doubts after clinical examination about above mentioned possibilities, further tests should be ordered (brain function study or EEG, brain MRI).

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (33 minutes later)
2 years ago had cats scan and Mri, a lot of test, for the smell issue, my mistake she said she didn't lose conscience just felt like she was on a rocking ship, she said the sidewalk tilted to one side, and she had to sit down, the happened three times and then we to er
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
TIA should be evaluated as well.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

Still partial seizures arising from temporal lobe are a possible explanation of your wife's symptoms.

After this new information, another possible explanation of your wife's symptoms could be transient ischemic attack ( TIA ) of posterior brain circulation.

I still think a Neurologist evaluation needed.

If no neurologic issues found after the examination, probably it was a temporary condition related to blood pressure changes.

Hope I helped. Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4493 Questions

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What Causes Dizziness, Headaches And Loss Of Consciousness?

Brief Answer: Most likely seizures. Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for using HCM. I have read your question and understand your concerns. Distorted smell, headaches, dizziness and finally an episode with loss of consciousness are most likely to be related to temporal lobe seizures. You mentioned about your wife having done a bunch of tests, is brain MRI one of them? This because another possibility of your wife's concerns could be a frontal lobe (olfactory) lesion. In my opinion, your wife should be examined by a Neurologist first and, if any doubts after clinical examination about above mentioned possibilities, further tests should be ordered (brain function study or EEG, brain MRI). Hope you found the answer helpful. Take care.