by cadence » Thu May 26, 2005 12:28 am
#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I work in medicine every day and so I have some thoughts. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#First, it's pretty rare for a virus to not get killed off by your body by 3 weeks - if it is truly a virus and you've had it for 3 weeks, then you have a weak immune system, but that is exceedingly rare and I doubt that. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I strongly suggest you insist on your doctor sending you to an ENT specialist (ears, nose and throat). Sometimes, sinus problems lead to blockages of the inner ear and thus upsetting the drainage system - too little or too much fluid build up causes dizziness. Your eustachian tubes act as drainage for your sinuses. If there is inflammation in the eustachian tubes, the drainage is interrupted and pressure builds (can be painless) and then suddenly you're dizzy. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Sometimes, dizziness can be a prodrome to migraine... do you get headaches at all? Some people get dizzy, or smell strange odours, see flashing lights, see jagged lightning bolts in their vision, have loss of vision, facial drooping and numbness, or searing nerve-pain around their head as a prodrome to migraine. Not all symptoms at once, usually your body picks one or 2 things and usually sticks with it as your warning prodrome. Sometimes, the prodrome never results in a painful headache. Birth control pills can exacerbate this problem. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Sometimes, a build-up of wax can cause dizziness. Candling might help this problem. There is nothing much you can do to prevent wax build up.... just get your ears flushed periodically or candling. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Neurologists deal with Meniere's disease. It is a waxing and waning upset in the middle ear and causes dizziness from mild to severe. My cousin has this problem (severe) and when it flares, she ends up crawling on the floor because she will walk into walls, not to mention how sick to the stomach she gets. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Labyrinthitis can also be the problem to dizziness. There are certain head tilting exercises an ENT specialist can talk to you about that counteracts it and helps you to put a halt to it. The exercises counter the flow of fluid in your ears. Only time helps this one. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Candling would not help Meniere's, labyrinthitis or eustachian inflammation. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Start with an ENT specialist. If the ENT can't help you, he or she will refer you to a neurologist, if necessary. Whatever you decide, if anything, go back to your doctor. 3 weeks is plenty of time to have it settle on its own and now you need extra measures. You could always walk into the ER to get a faster consult. #ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys//smiley2.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#
Patience! Practice! Persistence!