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What Causes Loss Of Balance After Walking Short Distances?

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Posted on Tue, 27 Jun 2017
Question: I'm tired just walking a short distance. Feel off balance.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. U N Sahoo (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
fatigue and dizzyness

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your query on Healthcare magic

I do understand your solicitousness

“As” per your clinical history is concerned there are many pathological causes responsible for it but in my opinion atrial fibrillation can not be ruled out so you require a physical examination by a cardiologist in your area and before visit your doctor please do few tests which we advise to our patients as below-:

1)Electrocardiogram(ECG)with event recorder

2)Echocardiogram(ECHO)

3)Chest X-ray

4)Blood test for TSH

Treatment goal for it will be -

1)Reset the rhythm or control the rate

2)Obviate blood clots

So do all investigations and consult with your cardiologist as anon as possible and commence medications.

Hope that helps
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. U N Sahoo (2 hours later)
Thank you for quick response.

I have done a complete heart work-up consisting of the followings tests:

ECG- normal
Echo- my heart is structurally fine
Stress test- I was fatigued after only 10 minutes so stopped
Holter monitor- mild pvc

Went to ER- May 25 2017 blood work- tsh- t4 t3. Normal
Magnesium, cortisol, ferritin was 18, I did the diabetic 3 month average test normal findings on all. Lung function test normal. My oxygen sat. Was 97 and walking it dropped to 95. So I might be oxygen starved somewhere in my body.

My symptoms resemble hypoglycaemia . Chronic fatigue. I'm always on couch as I hate feeling I get walking around, woozy feeling.

I appreciate your help with my health.



Pending tests:

Sleep study

Lung challenge test methacholine

I forgot to mention chest x- Ray at ER.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. U N Sahoo (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
fatigue and dizzyness

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your follow up reply

“As” per your test report you have mild PVC, So you can start lifestyle changes and eliminating common triggers points leads to PVC —
1)Avoid tea, coffee, alcohol if taking and track your triggers points leads to PVC

2)Talk with your Cardiologist about beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, anti-arrhythmic drugs, such as [amiodarone or flecainide], which may be used if you have ventricular tachycardia or very frequent premature ventricular contractions that interfere with your heart's function, causing severe symptoms
.
3)Discuss about [Radiofrequency catheter ablation] if your PVC that don't respond to lifestyle changes or medications.

4)Do a list of all recreational drugs that are known triggers of PVC & discuss with your doctor to avoiding these substances if possible.

5) Anxiety can trigger abnormal heartbeats. If you think anxiety may be contributing to your condition, try stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation or exercise, or talk to your doctor about anti-anxiety medications like [alprazolam] in low dose.

6)Do a detailed check up with your [endocrinologist] to balance your body hormones if it is imbalanced.

7)Correct vitamin B-12 and iron deficit if you have

8)Regarding hypoglycemia please check your blood sugar with fasting for 12 hours and see if it is low or not. Regarding Chronic fatigue syndrome I may say the fatigue may worsen with physical or mental activity, but doesn't improve with rest and check it in your case.

Hope that helps

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. U N Sahoo (10 hours later)
Hi again

I'm really concerned about all these symptoms and no diagnosis.
Should I push for chest ct scan. Im a former smoker( not heavy but i smoked)
I'm fatigued, woozy with movement and exercise intolerance. My oxygen with figure gadget was 95%. If it's not my heart it must be my lungs.

Please shed some light for me n this matter

Thank you
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. U N Sahoo (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
fatigue and dizziness

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your follow up reply,

As per your query, you can do a chest X-ray and Chest CT-scan to ruled out lungs involvement, however, I think that it is not due to lungs rather it is due to the heart.

Hope it is clear

Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. U N Sahoo (44 hours later)
Hi there

I did the methacholine challenge test yesterday it was negative for asthma.

I'm back to the drawing board trying to figure out what is causing these horrible symptoms.

I will re communicate symptoms:

Stomach: bloating, gas , distension, indigestion

Lungs: short of breath with excursion . At rest need to take deep breath intermittent.

Heart: did heart work up - negative

Balance : wooziness when I walk fatigue easily

Fatigue : weak and tired with minimal activity I'm always on the couch because I don't like feeling I get with movement

I wake up with a distended belly gas and dry mouth. Not sure if dehydration or sleeping with mouth open.

Please review my symptoms once again and give me your thoughts.

Thank you
XXXX

doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. U N Sahoo (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed answers below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your follow up query on HCM

“As” per your question I may say like this –

1)Your bloating may be due to indigestion only so you can follow few tips like this at home –:

a)Chew your food slowly and thoroughly and eat frequent in small amounts.
b)Try to avoid Fatty and spicy foods, processed foods, carbonated beverages, caffeine, alcohol and smoking etc .
c)Try to maintain a healthy weight. Do exercise regularly
d)Try to manage stress. Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation or yoga. And get plenty of sleep.
e) Try to avoid pain relievers or other medications that may irritate your stomach lining.
f) Place six thin slices of ginger in a cup and pour boiling water into the cup. Cover the cup and let it steep for about 10 minutes. Add one TSP honey and lemon juice to it and then drink it up to three times a day may help in your bloating.
g) If you have heart burn along with bloating then discuss with your doctor regarding a PPI and a course of antibiotics for H Pylori.

2)Regarding shortness of breathing, fatigue & balance problem is due to heart only.

3)Distension is not due to dehydration and sleeping mouth open.


Hope you got all your answers

Thanks and wish you a good health


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. U N Sahoo (47 hours later)
Hi there

I went to see a Chinese doctor today, he preformed tongue and pulse analysis, his assessment was based on my symptoms. The symptoms:
chronic fatigue unable to carry out duties. I'm unable to blow dry my hair as this causes me to tire out.
Headache
shortness of breath,
exercise intolerance.
Lightheaded
Water retention mild

The Chinese Doctor said my kidneys are not functioning properly
And my spleen is also sluggish.

Do you agree that these two are responsible for my lack of energy and weakness.

If so, what sensitive testing can I ask western doctors to preform to see if this is the case.

Thank you

XXXX


doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. U N Sahoo (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your follow-up question,

As per your query, I may say that you can do a kidney function test and abdominal ultrasound to check kidney and spleen.

Unable to blow dry hair, the cause is not proved medically. So, I may say that those points may not be scientific so I am not agreeing with this theory.

Hope that helps


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. U N Sahoo (46 hours later)
Hi there

Doctor wants me to do nuclear stress test. Heart work up as follows:

24 hour monitor - few heart pics benign
Echo - heart structurally good normal results
Exercise stress test - I failed it did less than required 8 minutes

Cardiologist recommends I do a nuclear stress test. I'm concerned doing this invasive.

What other tests can I do besides nuclear test, but less invasive to find out cause of my chronic fatigue, lightheadbess when walking, shortness of breath and exercise intolerance.

PleSe advise of other tests I can request.

Thank you
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. U N Sahoo (16 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your follow up reply

“As” per your clinical history is concerned you do not require any further tests but if your cardiologist injuctively authorize you to do any tests then you may consider. Do take medication for PVC only. You can discuss with your cardiologist regarding[Radiofrequency catheter ablation]and this is a procedure which we advise to our patients those who does not respond to conservative treatments.


Hope that helps
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. U N Sahoo

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1969

Answered : 2462 Questions

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What Causes Loss Of Balance After Walking Short Distances?

Brief Answer: fatigue and dizzyness Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for your query on Healthcare magic I do understand your solicitousness “As” per your clinical history is concerned there are many pathological causes responsible for it but in my opinion atrial fibrillation can not be ruled out so you require a physical examination by a cardiologist in your area and before visit your doctor please do few tests which we advise to our patients as below-: 1)Electrocardiogram(ECG)with event recorder 2)Echocardiogram(ECHO) 3)Chest X-ray 4)Blood test for TSH Treatment goal for it will be - 1)Reset the rhythm or control the rate 2)Obviate blood clots So do all investigations and consult with your cardiologist as anon as possible and commence medications. Hope that helps