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What Causes Weird Feeling While Driving Despite Having Normal Vision?
Question: Hello Dr,
For a week I am feeling like i am moving slow while driving (not every time). I become normal if I stop my car.. it happens like old video games where all the background moves.. Its weird feeling,, checked my vision and all normal... It happen even if i am at passenger seat..
For a week I am feeling like i am moving slow while driving (not every time). I become normal if I stop my car.. it happens like old video games where all the background moves.. Its weird feeling,, checked my vision and all normal... It happen even if i am at passenger seat..
Brief Answer:
Perhaps get your ears checked.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The details provided is very limited and I am unable to think of an organic medical condition to convincingly explain the described symptoms. Yet, the only thing which might to an extent explain your symptoms is vertigo. It is a symptom closely associated with balance system of the body namely vestibular apparatus of ear and the brain. I am not considering a brain condition at this point since there is no history of nausea and vomiting. And most patients typically complain of dizziness as well as imbalance with brain issue.
Therefore at this point, an ENT check up is probably the best recommendation I can give to you. Once local ear issues are ruled out, we can explore for other possibilities.
This symptom is very benign. You don't need to hurry for immediate evaluation. You can consider visiting the doctor whenever feasible. In the meanwhile try avoiding driving alone. Prefer to sit in the rear seat. Restrict alcohol consumption / taking pills for cold and cough if any before travel. Avoid reading while travelling.
Hope this helps you. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Perhaps get your ears checked.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The details provided is very limited and I am unable to think of an organic medical condition to convincingly explain the described symptoms. Yet, the only thing which might to an extent explain your symptoms is vertigo. It is a symptom closely associated with balance system of the body namely vestibular apparatus of ear and the brain. I am not considering a brain condition at this point since there is no history of nausea and vomiting. And most patients typically complain of dizziness as well as imbalance with brain issue.
Therefore at this point, an ENT check up is probably the best recommendation I can give to you. Once local ear issues are ruled out, we can explore for other possibilities.
This symptom is very benign. You don't need to hurry for immediate evaluation. You can consider visiting the doctor whenever feasible. In the meanwhile try avoiding driving alone. Prefer to sit in the rear seat. Restrict alcohol consumption / taking pills for cold and cough if any before travel. Avoid reading while travelling.
Hope this helps you. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your help and support... Let me explain the complete situation. I did a LASIK an year ago. This episode started after couple of months from there... This happens only at driving, I feel like I am either moving slow or not moving at all, where as all the object move towards me... Previously it happend once in a while(once in three months). If I stop my car I will become normal. And i never took that as an issue..last week I had a mild head ache due to stress(still I have it-very mild), At the same time I got the slow moving feel while driving then I started reading about this slow moving episode in some forum and started getting every time I drive(just this week)..I checked my vision and it was good I went to my primary physician she said there is an inflamation in my right ears and gave medication for it... I started that today.. All my blood works are good... I feel like passing out but never did. My BP wa 127/85 ...
Brief Answer:
Ear condition explains the symptom....
Detailed Answer:
I will try explaining the issue in detail.
Our human body is equipped multiple senses which work in harmony to balance, judge pace and direction while the body is set into motion. These senses are very sensitive and accurate.
While driving when the body is set into motion you look at object moving at the same speed. The fluid in the inner ear (vestibular system) is also set in the same motion / direction. It sends signals to be brain. Both signals from brain and vision is interpreted to give us the relative position and balance. If either of the signals received in the brain centre is inaccurate, our body is unable to judge the motion / direction of the body during the travel.
Since your doctor located an inflammation in the right ear, if the inflammation is involving middle and inner ear, it is possible that the right vestibular functions are disturbed. This disturbance can lead you to misinterpret body's relative motion against the speed judged by your eyes.
Lasik surgery is relatively a safe surgery. A very few individual can have dry eyes following it. And dryness could cause vision blurring which may get pronounced while driving leading to similar misinterpretation. However considering that you have already seen an eye doctor, I assume dry eyes is rule out.
Therefore this ear inflammation may be the close possible condition. Wait until you complete treatment. If you don't get better following current treatment, check with an ENT surgeon then.
I have tried to explain these in simple terms. Hope it helped. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Ear condition explains the symptom....
Detailed Answer:
I will try explaining the issue in detail.
Our human body is equipped multiple senses which work in harmony to balance, judge pace and direction while the body is set into motion. These senses are very sensitive and accurate.
While driving when the body is set into motion you look at object moving at the same speed. The fluid in the inner ear (vestibular system) is also set in the same motion / direction. It sends signals to be brain. Both signals from brain and vision is interpreted to give us the relative position and balance. If either of the signals received in the brain centre is inaccurate, our body is unable to judge the motion / direction of the body during the travel.
Since your doctor located an inflammation in the right ear, if the inflammation is involving middle and inner ear, it is possible that the right vestibular functions are disturbed. This disturbance can lead you to misinterpret body's relative motion against the speed judged by your eyes.
Lasik surgery is relatively a safe surgery. A very few individual can have dry eyes following it. And dryness could cause vision blurring which may get pronounced while driving leading to similar misinterpretation. However considering that you have already seen an eye doctor, I assume dry eyes is rule out.
Therefore this ear inflammation may be the close possible condition. Wait until you complete treatment. If you don't get better following current treatment, check with an ENT surgeon then.
I have tried to explain these in simple terms. Hope it helped. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
That was a great explanation Dr.. I appreciate that one last question, actually eye doctor told me I have addy eyes but my eye pressure And optic nerve looks good...
My question is, it possible to have ear inflammation in a day or it takes time?,, becoz I checked my ears today and it's inflamed, I went to lowest point in North XXXXXXX this weekend where pressure was too low.. I got some pressure blocked in my ear...I have this slow motion perception for a week... Sorry to bother you, I am little nervous.. And again you answered all my questions in my mind... Thanks a lot
My question is, it possible to have ear inflammation in a day or it takes time?,, becoz I checked my ears today and it's inflamed, I went to lowest point in North XXXXXXX this weekend where pressure was too low.. I got some pressure blocked in my ear...I have this slow motion perception for a week... Sorry to bother you, I am little nervous.. And again you answered all my questions in my mind... Thanks a lot
Brief Answer:
Ear inflammation commonly develops over a few days....
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Very rarely ear inflammation develop over night. It commonly develops gradually over a few days. More commonly ear inflammation is preceded by nasal congestion, sinus inflammation, blocked ears and other symptoms related to upper respiratory tract. Perhaps your problem started following the visit to North America; pressure changes commonly affect middle and inner ear rather than external ear. Hence it can have a direct relation with what is happening to you now.
Based on what you posted now, dry eye had and has been a problem for awhile now and this disturbance is just a week old. Therefore I feel it has no significant role with your current symptoms.
Most ear inflammation settle down. Least case may need therapeutic procedures. So do not be worried. Continue with what is being prescribed to you. If things don't settle down say in a week following current treatment, check with an ENT specialist.
Hope I was able to direct you well. If you have no more questions, please close this discussion and review.
Good luck!!
Ear inflammation commonly develops over a few days....
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Very rarely ear inflammation develop over night. It commonly develops gradually over a few days. More commonly ear inflammation is preceded by nasal congestion, sinus inflammation, blocked ears and other symptoms related to upper respiratory tract. Perhaps your problem started following the visit to North America; pressure changes commonly affect middle and inner ear rather than external ear. Hence it can have a direct relation with what is happening to you now.
Based on what you posted now, dry eye had and has been a problem for awhile now and this disturbance is just a week old. Therefore I feel it has no significant role with your current symptoms.
Most ear inflammation settle down. Least case may need therapeutic procedures. So do not be worried. Continue with what is being prescribed to you. If things don't settle down say in a week following current treatment, check with an ENT specialist.
Hope I was able to direct you well. If you have no more questions, please close this discussion and review.
Good luck!!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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