dizziness
April 1, 2010 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Olaf Stephan
Hello,
three days ago I woke up with dizziness. I couldn't move my head to the left or right. I couldn't stand up or sit down without feeling dizzy. It felt like my head was rushing in the back of my head. When I laid down quietly, it got better. I went to the orthopedist and he x-rayed my cervical spine, but there was nothing unusual. I am struggling a lot with neck tension and headaches. Could it be related? I am very worried that it could be something serious. In addition, I am getting married in July, we are buying a house, and I have a lot of work. So I can't tell if it could be related to stress. I am really afraid of cancer. Where could this come from? Since then, I feel like I'm walking on cotton... so dizzy.
Thank you very much.
DB
Dear Inquirer,
Of course, it is not possible to make an accurate diagnosis based solely on your description here on the internet, but the fact that you have been experiencing symptoms in the cervical spine area for a long time and the nature of the complaints primarily suggest a problem with the cervical spine. A X-ray examination can only show bone defects (e.g. fractures) or incorrect postures, but extensive muscular tension in the shoulder-neck area can often be the cause of dizziness attacks and headaches, especially in young patients. It is not uncommon for there to already be a slight incorrect posture or overloading of the spine due to occupational activities (e.g. computer work). This can lead to blockages in the small spinal joints, which can be extremely painful. However, in case of long-standing or significantly increasing symptoms, a herniated disc in the cervical spine should also be ruled out, which can be done without radiation exposure and completely painlessly through an MRI; you just need a referral from your general practitioner or orthopedist. To reassure you, cancer is not initially suspected based on your symptoms. The therapeutic options for tension and blockages are diverse and include medication for pain relief, manual therapy, physiotherapy, massages, and spine-friendly sports. You are also correct in that spine-related complaints are often exacerbated by nervous tension, overloading, and problems in the workplace or family. Another common cause of dizziness in young people is inner ear nerve inflammation, often triggered by viruses and bacteria in upper respiratory infections, leading to balance organ disturbances and dizziness. In this case, an ENT specialist can certainly help. Unfortunately, due to the holidays, it is not possible to further diagnose your problem at the moment, so I would advise you to visit the nearest emergency department in case of worsening or increasing symptoms, as all relevant medical specialties are available around the clock there. I hope I could help you and wish you a speedy recovery and nonetheless restful holidays.
Best regards, O. Stephan
