Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
76 Yr Old. Having Balance Problems. Taking Treatment For Vertigo. Not Effective. Severe Heaviness In Legs, Difficulty In Walking. Suggestions?
My husband, 76 years old, has been experiencing loss of balance for the past few weeks. Our GP has referred him to an ENT , who treated him for vertigo . The ENT s treatment and medication have not been effective after 3 weeks. Since a few days ago my husband also suffers from severe heaviness in both his legs and finds it difficult to walk even a few steps. The loss of balance is also still a factor. We live in a double storey house and the stairs make it even more difficult for my husband to move around, given his wonkiness and heavy legs. Where should we go or what should we do next?
Fri, 22 Mar 2013
Hello!
Thanks for being with us.
Heaviness in both lower limbs,difficulty in walking and imbalance cab be seen in :
1.parkinson's disease,
2.parkinson's plus syndrome,
3.multi-infarct state and
4.posterior circulation stroke.
5.Diseases of crerebellum and spinal cord.
These diseases are common at this age of 76.
Hence cause for such symptoms is probably neurological.
If he would have been suffering from vertigo only then ENT treatment might have helped as vertigo can occur due to internal ear disease.But there is no improvement after his treatment,hence he should undergo testing for the neurological diseases as mentioned above.
What he needs now is MRI BRAIN and neurologist opinion for further management.
Hope i could help you better.
If any more queries,you can write to us.
Wish you good health.
Thanks for being with us.
Heaviness in both lower limbs,difficulty in walking and imbalance cab be seen in :
1.parkinson's disease,
2.parkinson's plus syndrome,
3.multi-infarct state and
4.posterior circulation stroke.
5.Diseases of crerebellum and spinal cord.
These diseases are common at this age of 76.
Hence cause for such symptoms is probably neurological.
If he would have been suffering from vertigo only then ENT treatment might have helped as vertigo can occur due to internal ear disease.But there is no improvement after his treatment,hence he should undergo testing for the neurological diseases as mentioned above.
What he needs now is MRI BRAIN and neurologist opinion for further management.
Hope i could help you better.
If any more queries,you can write to us.
Wish you good health.
I find this answer helpful
1 user finds this helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on MRI
Loading Online Doctors....