What causes sudden dizzy episodes that last few seconds?

Question

Hello doctor,

This query is about my mother. She is 57 years old. She has these dizzy episodes since last two to two and a half years. They are very short most of the time, lasting for a maximum of few seconds. It happens most of the time when she gets up from the bed or changes position on bed. She shows excellent response to both Vertin and Zevert. She took Vertin 24 mg BD for three months and then left it. She was alright for three months after leaving the medicine. But, last night she had symptoms again, same lasting for two to three seconds. She does not have any other symptoms. Her balance is perfect. She has a migraine for the last 10 years. My query is should we start her on Vertin or Zevert again? For how long? And should we go for any other investigation? Can it be something serious?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your question and would explain that your mother symptoms seem to be related to an inner ear disorder. There is nothing to worry about, as her situation improved with Zevert and Vertin once. For this reason, I would recommend starting again Zevert (Betahistine) for a month, with the same dose. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her and start taking the medicines with their consent. If her complaints persist, I recommend consulting with an ear, nose, throat (ENT) specialist and performing labyrinthine tests. A doppler ultrasound of the cervical arteries would help exclude possible vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Hope you will find this answer helpful.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. No, there is no reason to worry about any brain tumor. Symptoms are usually gradual and progressive in brain tumors and not abrupt. So, relax and do not worry about it. I would just recommend avoiding abrupt head movements as they may exacerbate an inner ear disorder. Hope you will find this answer helpful.