Dizziness and tingling
February 27, 2011 | 10,00 EUR | answered by Uni-Arzt Freddy Feuerstein
I have been experiencing mild dizziness in my head for about 2 weeks. My primary care physician says it may not be real vertigo, as it doesn't feel like the room is spinning. It's hard to describe the feeling... when I turn my head or see moving images on TV, it's uncomfortable and hard to focus.
Since yesterday, I've also been having headaches in the front left side of my head (not very strong yet). Even when I press on it from the outside (as if I had a bump... but I don't).
Additionally, I have a tingling sensation in various parts of my body that keeps changing (tailbone, genital area, left foot), and somehow I feel like I have no strength in my left leg and foot (mild numbness). It's worst in my left foot.
I've had an EKG done, and nothing unusual except for a slow pulse was found. A 24-hour EKG was also normal. An ENT examination showed no abnormalities. An osteopath adjusted 4 vertebrae, but there was no improvement.
I'm just scared! I've been referred to various specialists like a neurologist, orthopedist, etc., but I won't get an appointment for 4-5 weeks.
I'm afraid it could be something serious and that I'm neglecting it, like arterial blockage, stroke, etc.
Dear inquirer,
1. Dizziness is a very unspecific symptom, there is no "correct" dizziness, what your general practitioner probably means is that you probably do not have benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. This is caused by small stones in the balance organ in your ear and could be diagnosed by an ENT doctor.
2. You have not provided any information about your age and additional illnesses. For a holistic assessment, this would of course be important.
3. Newly occurring neurological symptoms, such as tingling, weakness, etc. are always WARNING SIGNS, without causing you too much worry, you should urgently have them clarified. Especially manipulation by an osteopath could potentially worsen the neurology!
4. Since weakness and sensory disturbances have NEWLY occurred in your description (since yesterday), I advise you to have them investigated, i.e. to go to a large central hospital where there is a neurological and orthopedic department. There could be a herniated disc, but theoretically also a circulatory disorder in the brain, which should then be urgently treated.
As I said, if neurological symptoms occur newly, they MUST ALWAYS BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. Often there is something harmless behind it, but you MUST always rule out something worse, especially if you have other risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, etc.
Please feel free to ask again if I misunderstood you, for example if the tingling and pain have been going on for a while, as well as the dizziness. Otherwise, I recommend a more thorough investigation, for example at a university hospital. Please note that if you have neurological symptoms that affect your perception or body control, you are not allowed to drive a vehicle yourself!
This response cannot replace a personal medical consultation, it can only consider aspects that you have listed in your question.
I wish you all the best for now and please feel free to ask if there are any uncertainties.
Sincerely,
Torben C. Müller
