Are loud ringing noise, headache, and nose bleeding symptoms of brain hemorrhage?

Patient's Query

Hi, I am finding it difficult to explain my symptoms to GP and concerned that I may be experiencing more serious symptoms than I am able to explain. Over the past week on 3 occasions now I have experienced a very loud ringing noise in my head. Followed by a sharp head ache which last for a couple of minutes. On this most recent occasion i can taste blood and my nose and roof of mouth feels tender as though i have a nose bleed but there has been no visible blood. I now have a (front) head ache which feels like squeezing of the forehead. I believe it may be tinitus but i have concerns as my mother passed of a brain hemmorhage at the age of 29 and I am currently 28 years old. Is it possible this could be connected? I was lead to believe it was not hereditary, if so, can early detection prevent fatality? Any advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Alexander Davis, Md

Hi,

I am terribly sorry that you are experiencing these worries.

First of all the good news would there have been blood that you taste, it would have been visible. But this was not the case. What is more, a brain hemorrhage is very less likely to make you “taste blood”. The symptoms would be different.

However, given your family history and your headaches I recommend that you see a neurologist. Ask your GP for a referral to a specialized centre for such brain issues that your mother died from. It would be a good idea to have a look into your brain with a device called Angio-MRI. That’s an MRI which is able to make all the blood vessels in your brain visible. With this procedure one can rule out that you are at any inherited risk, or at least reduce or fix it if there should be an abnormal finding. On top all the other neurological standard tests should be run, like an EEG etc.

If you notice the typical signs of a stroke, even mildly, call an ambulance. That might even speed up the diagnostic process given the lengthy waiting times at the NHS.

I personally, however, believe that you are suffering from migraine mixed with psychosomatic symptoms caused by the loss of your mother. But that’s just my impression. Let a neurologist have the last word.

To reduce your anxiety until then you should see a psychotherapist to ventilate your fears in a professional environment. I will also prescribe you a mild anxiolytic.

The Probable causes:

Psychosomatic symptoms triggered by migraine attacks.

Investigations to be done:

See a specialized neurologist.
Angio-MRI.
EEG.

Differential diagnosis:

*Inherited vascular anomaly.
*Various other.

Probable diagnosis:

*Migraine
*Health anxiety
*Psychological trauma

Treatment plan:

Until you are through with all tests:
Take Atarax (Hydroxyzine) 25 mg, 3 times a day.

Preventive measures:

Psychotherapy or counseling.