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1-month vertigo following heat exhaustion
I'm a 37-year old male in excellent physical condition, swam in college and have been competing in triathlons for 15 years. Exactly 1 month ago I went for a 2-hour 35 mile bicycle ride in the blazing Florida summer heat (I know, not the smartest move) Though I've trained in the heat before and brought fluids with me on the ride, the 100+ heat index took it's toll. I ended up with extremely severe heat exhaustion toward the end of the ride, I probably should have went to the ER following my return home.
Upon awaking the next day I had a severe, crushing headache with pressure. Four weeks after this incident I have sensations of vertigo when moving my head side to side, up or down, or bouncing my head such as when I run.....it's as if my eyes can't follow along with my head. Standing up after I've been sitting also creates this vertigo effect. The vertigo also creates an unsteadiness to my balance. I've also noticed a feeling of pressure in the upper, inside corners of both my eyes and discomfort moving my eyes from side to side. This vertigo has all but put a hold on my exercise as any head movement triggers the sensation.
Also of note, I assume as a side effect of the extreme heat exhaustion, I appear to have become heat intolerant. Any exposure to stagnant heat, even without exercise, and my heart rate shoots the roof along with associated dizziness. During these episodes I just can't get my heart rate to come down and must quickly get into an air condtioned building. Almost called 911 as one time I nearly fainted.
Being I've never felt any of these symptoms before I fear the severe heat exhaustion/exertion has caused all this. I went to a neurologist 3 weeks ago for a physical exam and MRI of the brain and all came back OK. Neurologist just told me to "rest." My GP did blood work and all came back normal, blood pressure was normal, he recommended I see an ENT Specialist.
Could this be something vascular that occured in the brain that wasn't picked up on the MRI? Could severe dehydration & heat exhaustion trigger these symptoms? Could the vertigo be due to a sinus infection or inner ear issue? I'm concerned as I've never experienced vertigo like this before and never had a month-long headache before. Thanks for any advice!
Upon awaking the next day I had a severe, crushing headache with pressure. Four weeks after this incident I have sensations of vertigo when moving my head side to side, up or down, or bouncing my head such as when I run.....it's as if my eyes can't follow along with my head. Standing up after I've been sitting also creates this vertigo effect. The vertigo also creates an unsteadiness to my balance. I've also noticed a feeling of pressure in the upper, inside corners of both my eyes and discomfort moving my eyes from side to side. This vertigo has all but put a hold on my exercise as any head movement triggers the sensation.
Also of note, I assume as a side effect of the extreme heat exhaustion, I appear to have become heat intolerant. Any exposure to stagnant heat, even without exercise, and my heart rate shoots the roof along with associated dizziness. During these episodes I just can't get my heart rate to come down and must quickly get into an air condtioned building. Almost called 911 as one time I nearly fainted.
Being I've never felt any of these symptoms before I fear the severe heat exhaustion/exertion has caused all this. I went to a neurologist 3 weeks ago for a physical exam and MRI of the brain and all came back OK. Neurologist just told me to "rest." My GP did blood work and all came back normal, blood pressure was normal, he recommended I see an ENT Specialist.
Could this be something vascular that occured in the brain that wasn't picked up on the MRI? Could severe dehydration & heat exhaustion trigger these symptoms? Could the vertigo be due to a sinus infection or inner ear issue? I'm concerned as I've never experienced vertigo like this before and never had a month-long headache before. Thanks for any advice!
My husband is going through something similar. This past summer, we were outside on a very hot day, and after that he felt sick and was in bed for about a week. Then he noticed he was dizzy and couldn't drive (although it wasn't constant dizziness). We went to a naturepath, regular doctor and ear/nose/throat specialist. They all said to wait it out. It's been over 4 months and he still has symptoms, although physical therapy has helped. He is now able to drive a bit. But, the ear/nose/throat doc said that it seems he had a heat stroke in his ear, which damaged his vestibular nerve (which affects balance). Once it is damaged, it will not heal. But, therapy can help the body adjust to a 'new normal'. My husband hasn't quite gotten to that point yet. But we're hoping he will. I asked the doctor if we should avoid heat in the future to prevent a relapse and he didn't really have an answer.
Colorado vertigo fix using epley manuveur should not be used for this. This is not a loose crystal in the inner ear. Thus is brain damage from the sun that's rare.
I have lived with this for over a year were everyday is now the hottest. Dr's don't react and do anything for me saying it's not heat stroke. I feel dizzy sick broken can't think properly over heating 24/7 even in winter. I put wet towels in the freezer and fridge and have regular cold showers. I've seen 15 Dr's specialists bvvp nurologists spiritual healers getting no relief and not taking me seriously which has caused massive psychological damage were I think of suicide daily. I can't work as it makes me way worse just 1 or 2 hours of activities with people I'm broken and have to leave. Dr's have done nothing for me. They treat me like I'm Lieing making this up. I can't see myself being here much longer as its torcher everyday and Dr's laughing at me won't even let me speak or treat me like I just want benefits have damaged me worse than thus condition there's no help no support for this.
I got overheated last summer, and had quite a few of these same symptoms. I must say the verdigo was the scariest. I finally found a fix for it, don't know if it will be permanent but has lasted for about four months now. Google colorado verdigo fix. It took a couple of days and I did it more than once a day. But it worked.
was employed as a pool and spa technician. We Started at 630am sometimes 5:30am I was there at 6 am everyday to load up so I could leave asap the boss arrived. The boss also knows that most people in the industry works straight through there day not stopping for breaks as that extends there day. We applied the same practice when working together. The earliest I finished when working solo was about 2:30 3 pm so minimum 8 hour days no breaks I would drink 3-5 litres of water during working day and would still be ultra thirsty and drink another couple of litres after work or I would not survive the next day. Due to some short weeks over holiday period were my days were loaded up were I was working 11 hour days not stop no break.
The job is very physically demanding carring gear in and out of jobs including 25 kg bags of salt. I was sweating at my first job every time were drips of sweat were dripping off my hat by the end of the day sweat would be flowing like a tap. 3 weeks before this happened after the long weeks. I started seeing spots during jobs. Some clients were asking are you ok do you need some water. I was cooking over the weekend were I couldn’t function I struggled to walk to shop and back and couldn’t do anything for the entire weekend I said to boss I cant keep working like this I am going to burn out. His response was we work these hours this time of year and winter we work less. My days got a bit better but still long days no break. Work cover told me its not really hot this summer he said some days got up to 31 on the Gold coast. Ive lived here for 20 years this is easily the most consistently hottest summer I have ever experienced here. The temperature readings are deceiving cause they are taking on the water way were the temperatures are cooler due to breeze. As soon as you go inland the temperature rises substantially. I personally didn’t notice the heat as I am tropical person I love it until those long days after that I used air con religiously but before i didn’t use it. I have trained in Thailand I have done muay thai so used to heat nut only for 2 – 3 hours id always rest cool down never 11 hours days working. During this 3 week period I was seeing spots most days I was disorientated were I drove south instead of north to go home and took me ages to realise I was going the wrong direction. I was regularly dry reaching when taking fluids. The damage had been done. It was a new job I felt I had to work or id lose my job.
I continued working 8 -10 hour days no break but I was using the cars aircon now as started struggling with the heat. On wed I couldn’t finish the day as started seeing spots so went home early as I felt damaged I fell to sleep and didn’t take the normal amount of water I normally needed to to survive the next day. It was a Thursday morning I woke up about 3 am 3 weeks after those long weeks were I felt damaged after. My room was like a sauna I was extremely dizzy I took water and threw up. I called In sick as i was dizzy and throwing up. I spent the whole day in air con and drank 10 litres of electrolytes. I woke up the next day still dizzy damaged went to hospital and was admitted and treated for sunstroke. I received a drip and was discharged. I was taking lots of fluids over weekend i went back to hospital Sunday morning to get another drip as I was still damaged they tested me I was fully hydrated and I was released. Monday came around it was a new job I had no sick leave left so felt I had to go to work or I wont get paid. Every bump in car I could feel my head wobbly and felt dizzy and nauseas i told boss he shrugged shoulders and let me work. I worked from 630am til about 11am and went back to the hospital. They turned me away and sent me to the gp. The gp gave me tablets for dizziness that did nothing. I cooled down and went back out and finished my days work. I worked full day Tuesday and Wednesday feeling dizzy and unsteady the entire day. about 2pm I got a call from work cover as my employer had lodged work cover for me. They asked how I felt I said Im still dizzy Ive told boss but still made to work. They said I need to go see a doctor asap I went to see a gp who said its not sunstroke its vestibular neuritis. I went to a air nose and throat specialist Dr Brent McMonagle who ruled this out. He mentioned heat hyper sensitivity, as now basic activities like cleaning or climbing up 2 flights of stairs basic walk to the shop within seconds I feel like its the hottest temperature I have ever experienced. I check my temperature with digital thermometer and is only at 36.5. I have done about 30 tests, including ct scans, houlter monitor. I have been cleared in everything. I believe its sunstroke damage its the cause of this incident and I continue similar symptoms as stated below. I am now at the stage were i am refereed to psychologist to see if this is in my head which is so frustrating as I am displaying the following symptoms.
Symptoms – Constant mild pain in my head that intensifies with heat basic activities but is constant 24/7 going on for months its slowly driving me crazy and causing me to shut down any physical activity eg paying someone to clean my house. I cant socialise I dint see my family this easter as I cant bare this constant brain damage pain.
- Heat hyper sensitivity i cant handle any heat I feel like mild does are like a dessert basic activities on a cooler day eg walking to the doctors in seconds Of walking my body over heats.
- Chronic fatigue – The most basic activities eg doing the dishes putting rubbish out, going to get groceries causes massive fatigue were I need to sleep or atleast lay down and rest. I sleep 3 to 4 times a day everyday going to shops or docs 2 hour sleep afterwards.
- Dizziness – any sudden movements cause dizziness in the brain. When i go down lower than my heart its very intense. When I sleep I use 2 pillows so my head is above my heart if I lay flat its constantly dizzy. I wake up every day feeling terrible it takes me a couple of hours to return to my normal pain state and no dizziness unless movements. I wake up feeling worse than I do before i go to bed but about 10 times due to dizziness being way worse laying down. I cant lay down without feeling dizzy creating nausea.
- Brian function – its not the same I think i am dummer i say things different to what i am thinking eg meaning to say hostel but i say hospital. Im thinking typing this msg but i type something completely different I cant think the same any more. Reproofing this I had so many shockers my brain is damaged from this my brain function cant think on the same level.
- Nausea – Due to dizziness and especially after sleep i am constantly feeling sick. Sometimes just sitting there after basic activity hanging 5 shirts up I sit there feeling sick.
- I describe this as a constant mild pain over ya brain were basic things make u wanna sleep when u do sleep u wake up feeling sick and dazed. Any physical activity I cant do to a mild level as my brain goes side ways and I get dizzy cause fatigue and nausea.
The job is very physically demanding carring gear in and out of jobs including 25 kg bags of salt. I was sweating at my first job every time were drips of sweat were dripping off my hat by the end of the day sweat would be flowing like a tap. 3 weeks before this happened after the long weeks. I started seeing spots during jobs. Some clients were asking are you ok do you need some water. I was cooking over the weekend were I couldn’t function I struggled to walk to shop and back and couldn’t do anything for the entire weekend I said to boss I cant keep working like this I am going to burn out. His response was we work these hours this time of year and winter we work less. My days got a bit better but still long days no break. Work cover told me its not really hot this summer he said some days got up to 31 on the Gold coast. Ive lived here for 20 years this is easily the most consistently hottest summer I have ever experienced here. The temperature readings are deceiving cause they are taking on the water way were the temperatures are cooler due to breeze. As soon as you go inland the temperature rises substantially. I personally didn’t notice the heat as I am tropical person I love it until those long days after that I used air con religiously but before i didn’t use it. I have trained in Thailand I have done muay thai so used to heat nut only for 2 – 3 hours id always rest cool down never 11 hours days working. During this 3 week period I was seeing spots most days I was disorientated were I drove south instead of north to go home and took me ages to realise I was going the wrong direction. I was regularly dry reaching when taking fluids. The damage had been done. It was a new job I felt I had to work or id lose my job.
I continued working 8 -10 hour days no break but I was using the cars aircon now as started struggling with the heat. On wed I couldn’t finish the day as started seeing spots so went home early as I felt damaged I fell to sleep and didn’t take the normal amount of water I normally needed to to survive the next day. It was a Thursday morning I woke up about 3 am 3 weeks after those long weeks were I felt damaged after. My room was like a sauna I was extremely dizzy I took water and threw up. I called In sick as i was dizzy and throwing up. I spent the whole day in air con and drank 10 litres of electrolytes. I woke up the next day still dizzy damaged went to hospital and was admitted and treated for sunstroke. I received a drip and was discharged. I was taking lots of fluids over weekend i went back to hospital Sunday morning to get another drip as I was still damaged they tested me I was fully hydrated and I was released. Monday came around it was a new job I had no sick leave left so felt I had to go to work or I wont get paid. Every bump in car I could feel my head wobbly and felt dizzy and nauseas i told boss he shrugged shoulders and let me work. I worked from 630am til about 11am and went back to the hospital. They turned me away and sent me to the gp. The gp gave me tablets for dizziness that did nothing. I cooled down and went back out and finished my days work. I worked full day Tuesday and Wednesday feeling dizzy and unsteady the entire day. about 2pm I got a call from work cover as my employer had lodged work cover for me. They asked how I felt I said Im still dizzy Ive told boss but still made to work. They said I need to go see a doctor asap I went to see a gp who said its not sunstroke its vestibular neuritis. I went to a air nose and throat specialist Dr Brent McMonagle who ruled this out. He mentioned heat hyper sensitivity, as now basic activities like cleaning or climbing up 2 flights of stairs basic walk to the shop within seconds I feel like its the hottest temperature I have ever experienced. I check my temperature with digital thermometer and is only at 36.5. I have done about 30 tests, including ct scans, houlter monitor. I have been cleared in everything. I believe its sunstroke damage its the cause of this incident and I continue similar symptoms as stated below. I am now at the stage were i am refereed to psychologist to see if this is in my head which is so frustrating as I am displaying the following symptoms.
Symptoms – Constant mild pain in my head that intensifies with heat basic activities but is constant 24/7 going on for months its slowly driving me crazy and causing me to shut down any physical activity eg paying someone to clean my house. I cant socialise I dint see my family this easter as I cant bare this constant brain damage pain.
- Heat hyper sensitivity i cant handle any heat I feel like mild does are like a dessert basic activities on a cooler day eg walking to the doctors in seconds Of walking my body over heats.
- Chronic fatigue – The most basic activities eg doing the dishes putting rubbish out, going to get groceries causes massive fatigue were I need to sleep or atleast lay down and rest. I sleep 3 to 4 times a day everyday going to shops or docs 2 hour sleep afterwards.
- Dizziness – any sudden movements cause dizziness in the brain. When i go down lower than my heart its very intense. When I sleep I use 2 pillows so my head is above my heart if I lay flat its constantly dizzy. I wake up every day feeling terrible it takes me a couple of hours to return to my normal pain state and no dizziness unless movements. I wake up feeling worse than I do before i go to bed but about 10 times due to dizziness being way worse laying down. I cant lay down without feeling dizzy creating nausea.
- Brian function – its not the same I think i am dummer i say things different to what i am thinking eg meaning to say hostel but i say hospital. Im thinking typing this msg but i type something completely different I cant think the same any more. Reproofing this I had so many shockers my brain is damaged from this my brain function cant think on the same level.
- Nausea – Due to dizziness and especially after sleep i am constantly feeling sick. Sometimes just sitting there after basic activity hanging 5 shirts up I sit there feeling sick.
- I describe this as a constant mild pain over ya brain were basic things make u wanna sleep when u do sleep u wake up feeling sick and dazed. Any physical activity I cant do to a mild level as my brain goes side ways and I get dizzy cause fatigue and nausea.
2 Comments
I am experiencing similar symptoms. I was exposed to a hot environment and got extremely dizzy and felt like passing out. I made it home and was sick for the next few days with flu like symptoms. Since that day my vision has changed, I see floaters, sensitivity to light and extremely heat sensitive. I cannot go outside for more than 5 minutes without feeling like passing out and I am dizzy all the time. This has been going on for the past year. If anyone has had resolution please post.
I am experiencing similar symptoms. I was exposed to a hot environment and got extremely dizzy and felt like passing out. I made it home and was sick for the next few days with flu like symptoms. Since that day my vision has changed, I see floaters, sensitivity to light and extremely heat sensitive. I cannot go outside for more than 5 minutes without feeling like passing out and I am dizzy all the time. This has been going on for the past year. If anyone has had resolution please post.
I had bvvp 2 years ago. And epley manuveour fixed that. Dec Jan Feb I was working 10-12 hour days. 2 weeks b4 this happened I was complaining to boss that I can't function in the hottest summer ever my body was cooking I couldn't function on weekend. 3 weeks later I woke up sweating so hot my room was like a sauna. This was 3 months ago and I'm still ultra dizzy different to bvvp. I've been to 2 ent specialists it's not bvvp. Noone knows how to treat this sun damaged condition. I'm constantly dizzy but not as bad as I originally was. When I sleep I wake up dazed cause my dizziness is stronger when I'm below heart rate. I trained b4 this even in Thailand as a muay Thai fighter never experienced anything like this. Basic functions leave me were I need asleep like I've worked a full weeks work like walking 10 mins to shop and back I would sleep after. They've done 15 tests I've been to nurologist cardiologist ent specialist 3 gps. None can tell me what's wrong with me. I know the suns cooked me and damaged my brain my brain and thought functions not the same I'm constantly in a daze. I have massive heat hypersensitivity were I can't handle heat b4 this I didn't even notice. If I'm laying around the house for 2 days it's like my brain and body is still cooking. And the dizziness creates nausea like you've come off a merry go round and feel sick constantly this is how I describe the condition I have. I'd do anything to have my quality of life back. I can't drink alcohol coffee energy drinks it's sends my brain side ways. I can't sit through a movie. I can't see ppl for longer than 2 hours I need to go home and sleep. If anyone knows someone who can help I can't take it anymore.
1 Comments
I have the same exact symptoms and my brain just feels fried. Have you found any answers or resolutions?
My husband is going through something similar. This past summer, we were outside on a very hot day, and after that he felt sick and was in bed for about a week. Then he noticed he was dizzy and couldn't drive (although it wasn't constant dizziness). We went to a naturepath, regular doctor and ear/nose/throat specialist. They all said to wait it out. It's been over 4 months and he still has symptoms, although physical therapy has helped. He is now able to drive a bit. But, the ear/nose/throat doc said that it seems he had a heat stroke in his ear, which damaged his vestibular nerve (which affects balance). Once it is damaged, it will not heal. But, therapy can help the body adjust to a 'new normal'. My husband hasn't quite gotten to that point yet. But we're hoping he will. I asked the doctor if we should avoid heat in the future to prevent a relapse and he didn't really have an answer.
I was wondering if you ever received any treatment or were diagnosed with a particular illness??
I have expereinced the exact same symptoms and my doctors have no answers. Their diagnosis is an inner ear problem that is not related to the heat exposure, yet on 4 separate occasions I experience the same symptoms......dizziness looking up and down or rolling over in bed......rapid heart rate about 15 times a day accompained with a few VERY STRONG heart beats.
The first time this happened to me was about 5 years ago and I too, have noticed being less tolerant to the sun.
Any information you can provide would be very much appeciated, as I have worn out my doctors to no avail.
Thanks!
I have expereinced the exact same symptoms and my doctors have no answers. Their diagnosis is an inner ear problem that is not related to the heat exposure, yet on 4 separate occasions I experience the same symptoms......dizziness looking up and down or rolling over in bed......rapid heart rate about 15 times a day accompained with a few VERY STRONG heart beats.
The first time this happened to me was about 5 years ago and I too, have noticed being less tolerant to the sun.
Any information you can provide would be very much appeciated, as I have worn out my doctors to no avail.
Thanks!
Perhaps the heat is triggering BPPV. I'm being tested for BPPV today and have noticed that I only get it in the summer months of June and July (which is when the temps in AZ are consistently above 100 degrees). If you are getting the vertigo based on the position of your head, an ENT mayschedule an ENG to test for BPPV. By now your vertigo may have gone away as mine does for the remainder of the year.
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