The Dizzy Patient Evaluation

by Dr. Christopher Chang, last modified on 10/18/15

DISCLAIMER: We do NOT consider ourselves "dizzy" experts, but provide the following info as a service to patients. As we are an ENT practice, we will only perform the appropriate testing and evaluation to see if the ears and/or allergies are a cause of a patient's dizziness. Anything more needs to be arranged through your primary care physician or another specialist. Generally speaking, a neurologist is the specialist able to provide the most comprehensive evaluation of dizziness.

Dizziness described as sudden episodes that lasts only seconds to minutes (never more than 30 minutes) followed by periods of relative normalcy...

...that mainly occurs with sitting/standing up after laying down and feels like you are going to pass/black out.


This situation suggests a non-ear etiology associated with problems with blood pressure. There is phenomenon called orthostatic hypotension in which there is a sudden drop in blood pressure when going from a sitting/laying down position to standing. With this sudden drop in blood pressure, not enough blood goes to the brain which than causes symptoms of near blacking or passing out. Other causes beyond blood pressure problems include cardiac arrhythmia and vascular insufficiency. It is perhaps best to see your primary care doctor or even emergency room to get a full cardiac and vascular workup.

Meclizine does not help and should not be prescribed in this situation.

Read more about dizziness in general here.


dizzy

 


Other ENT Topics

mouth mass
Masses in the Mouth

facial
Paralyzed Face

infection
Ear Infections

infection
Salivary Gland Infections

 

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