Nerve tumor causes dizziness

September 6, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Dizziness is a common problem that you’ve addressed a lot. I suffered for over a year, having been diagnosed with Meniere’s after a CT scan showed nothing. Much later, another doctor ordered an MRI that showed an acoustic neuroma. This condition isn’t as uncommon as once thought. I would encourage anyone with continuing dizziness to have an MRI. It saved my life. I was successfully treated with a gamma knife procedure and have been fine ever since.

DEAR READER: An acoustic neuroma (also known as a vestibular schwannoma) is a benign, slow-growing tumor on the primary nerve leading from the inner ear to the brain.
[Read more...]

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Vertigo relief

April 10, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I suffered vertigo misery for more than 20 years. I had brain scans and more that showed no pathology. Luckily, a referral from a local neurologist sent me to a physical therapist experienced in performing the Epley maneuvers. I had amazing results from the repositioning of debris in the inner ear. Between sessions, I wear a “Sea-band” elastic bracelet for any dizziness. Low-salt, low-alcohol, low-caffeine diets can also help tremendously.

DEAR READER: Vertigo is a common complaint among my readers and one of the most difficult to treat because it is often caused by benign or unknown conditions. [Read more...]

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Vertigo better treated when cause is known

March 4, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have had vertigo for several months. I’m on Meclizine right now, but need help.

DEAR READER: Vertigo is the sensation your environment is spinning or moving around you. An inner-ear disorder, an acoustic neuroma, the sudden movement of your head in a certain direction, Meniere’s disease, migraine headaches, arteriosclerosis, diabetes and more can cause the condition.

Make an appointment with your doctor for an examination and testing. He can zero in on the cause, make a referral if necessary, and get you back on track.

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Vertigo may be due to wax

February 5, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I’m a 72-year-old female who has problems with vertigo. It comes and goes. I get dizzy when I lie down. I’ve had the problem for years and have been to an ear-nose-and-throat specialist. He removes wax from both my ears, and that helps for a short while, but it does come back. Can you give me any advice?

DEAR READER: Vertigo is the sensation that a person or his or her surroundings are moving or spinning. It differs from dizziness (vertigo, lightheadedness, loss of balance and more).
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Medical woes plague young reader

September 8, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Since childhood, I have been suffering with tonsillitis, chronic colds and allergies — both seasonal and medication-induced. At the age of 24, I was diagnosed with discoid lupus; at the age of 30, with fibromyalgia, pleurisy, kidney stones/infection, vertigo, depression and anxiety.

My ANA test for three years has come back normal, but I continue to get lesions, my hair falls out, and I get sick easily. I have been to two rheumatologists. Both say I do not have SLE, but my family doctor feels I do. What do you think?
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Gait abnormality needs to be addressed

April 23, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have been having balance problems for almost a year. I’ve seen an ear doctor for possible vertigo, a cardiologist for possible heart/circulation problems and a general practitioner with my concerns. I have to hold on to the wall to turn around when I take a shower and always feel pressure at the base of my neck. I tend to feel off balance even when walking. I have no other sensation when I’m sitting, and I sleep quite well.

Please help with at least a suggestion, because I have had no diagnosis from any of the five doctors I’ve seen. I even saw a neurologist, who only suggested physical therapy. I’m hoping for a response.
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Sunday Column

August 10, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My husband is 70 years old and feels like a dying man. In the last three months he has had a plethora of problems including an unproductive cough (now gone), trembling, lightheadedness, dizziness, fatigue, hiccup spasms, nausea, constipation and occasional inability to urinate. Currently he is taking half an Atenolol (50 mg), one Prilosec and one low dose aspirin (81 mg).

In February 2007, my husband was found to have high blood pressure and was started on lisinopril, hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol which he took until October 2007 when he developed an unproductive cough, extreme fatigue and lightheadedness. He could sleep 24/7. He saw his doctor who ordered testing but nothing was found.

He then developed dizziness when turning his head or bending over [Read more...]

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Daily Column

July 26, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
You have written about vertigo several times. In a few, some of the writers said that they were taking “Lipo-Flavoniods”. I have suffered from vertigo for a number of years. It comes and goes but this last attack has lasted for six weeks with no signs of letting up so decided to try these “Lipo-Flavonoids”. However, having searched in several vitamin stores and calling several more, I could not find the product and was told that it did not exist. They said they had a product called “Bioflavonoids” and perhaps what I had read was just a misprint. I purchased a package and am trying it, but I think you should write a correction in your column because I am sure there are many more people out there looking for a product that isn’t real.

I have also made an appointment with an ear-nose-and-throat specialist just to be sure that nothing more serious is going on. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

May 9, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am one of your faithful readers who thought I would never have to write you for help, yet here I am asking for your opinion.

I am a 90-year-old female with high blood pressure, heart trouble and arthritis. I am on prescription medication for my blood pressure and heart and use over-the-counter Mineral Ice for my arthritis. I also take vitamins C and E and omega 3 fish oil.

About four months ago, I started to get dizziness. I felt like I was drunk. I didn’t do anything about it because I thought it would stop sooner or later. Well, it didn’t and one day I felt so terrible that my daughter rushed me to the emergency room where all sorts of tests were performed. They told me everything was normal and they didn’t know what was causing my dizziness.

What am I doing or not doing that would cause this terrible dizziness?

DEAR READER:
There are two types of dizziness: vertigo (which usually stems from the inner ear) and lightheadedness (which has many causes).

Treatment depends on the type and cause of your dizziness. Lightheadedness can have many causes ranging from blocked arteries to low blood pressure to medication side effects. Careful testing must be done to determine the cause. Since you have already had testing, I don’t believe that your problem stems from lightheadedness; however, you may wish to see your family physician. He or she can review your medications, order repeat or additional testing, or refer you to a specialist.

Vertigo, on the other hand, is often the result of an inner ear abnormality. It can also be caused by the vestibular center of the ear (the oval space in the middle of the ear bones) or pathways in the central nervous system. The most common symptom is the sensation of movement, similar to the effects caused by the over-indulgence of alcohol.
You appear to have a text-book case of vertigo. I recommend that you make an appointment with an ear-nose-and-throat specialist who can perform testing to make a positive diagnosis. At the same time he or she may choose to test you for other causes such as Meniere’s disease, otitis interna (inner ear infection) and more. He or she may also choose to show you special maneuvers, such as the Epley maneuver, or prescribe medication, such as Antivert, to reduce or control your symptoms.

A final option is to try an over-the-counter medication called Lipo-Flavonoid. This product is designed to reduce or eliminate tinnitus and vertigo. It is not effective (as is true for many medications) for all individuals but for those in whon it works, it can provide amazing results.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Ear Infections and Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

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Daily Column

March 26, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Please help. I have a male friend who is dizzy and nauseated all the time. He had had all kinds of tests and medications but nothing seems to help. It is very discouraging and he is starting to show signs of depression. His doctors don’t seem interested and we don’t know where to turn.

DEAR READER:
It sounds to me that your friend is nauseated and dizzy because of chronic vertigo. This is a problem that stems from his ear. He desperately needs to see an ear-nose-and-throat specialist. There is therapy available for this common condition.

While awaiting his appointment he may wish to try Lipo-Flavonoid which has shown vast improvement in some individuals. (Be sure to mention this to the specialist.)

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Ear Infections and Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

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