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What Causes Pain Behind Left Ear, Chills And Dizziness?
Question: My father has been having pain behind left ear to mid-upper skull.states he woke up a few nights back and was feeling dizzy and not well. He got up to go to br and then went quickly back to bed.While sitting on side of bed,he said he felt loss of balanc and fell to right side.After a few minutes he was able to lie in back in bed but felt chills ,dizziness,and almost confused and out of sorts.Mom checked b/p and was fine No history of strokes or htn,but does take Coumadin for he of dvt.What should we do?
Brief Answer:
Possible ear origin, but due to age and coumadin use caution is needed
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging by that description of his symptoms i would say the most probable origin is an ear related one. Inner ear is a very important balance organ and ear involvement can cause dizziness, lack of balance, nausea, malaise. So an ear infection may fully justify those symptoms.
However in the elderly one has to be particularly careful as they are a population at increased risk of stroke. The fact that he is under Coumadin makes him at particular risk for hemorrhagic stroke, a risk which is higher the higher the age. For those reasons I would say a lower threshold of suspicion must be used and consider it advisable to have him brought to the ER for evaluation for neurological deficits which could indicate a stroke and if in doubt for brain imaging.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Possible ear origin, but due to age and coumadin use caution is needed
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging by that description of his symptoms i would say the most probable origin is an ear related one. Inner ear is a very important balance organ and ear involvement can cause dizziness, lack of balance, nausea, malaise. So an ear infection may fully justify those symptoms.
However in the elderly one has to be particularly careful as they are a population at increased risk of stroke. The fact that he is under Coumadin makes him at particular risk for hemorrhagic stroke, a risk which is higher the higher the age. For those reasons I would say a lower threshold of suspicion must be used and consider it advisable to have him brought to the ER for evaluation for neurological deficits which could indicate a stroke and if in doubt for brain imaging.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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