Spinning, Sick, and Scared—Luz Finally Found Answers

Luz Sosa, 38 years, came seeking medical care in response to this sudden continued dizziness and referral of her daughters who have visited in the past.

Patient felt very anxious. She thought she was dying and there was no treatment for her disease which started developing two weeks previous to her doctor visit.

The dizzy spells would start slight and get worse as the patient walk, stand up or move her head. They could be so severe and prolonged that patient needed to sit or lied down immediately to avoid falling down.

Physical assessment, Lightheadedness and difficulty to move around. Romberg signs turned out negative (A clinical test used to evaluate disequilibrium). Left ear in pain and infection was found there as both ears were examined.

Lab works were sent (BHC, Glycaemia).

Diagnosis: Vertigo needs to be studied further. External Otitis in middle ear. Patient referred to an otolaryngologist at O.W.H. and was put on medication to manage the vertigo feelings in the meantime.

The patient came back a week later to see the specialist and told us her vertigo symptoms had decrease a whole lot. And that she was able to walk by herself and even do some house chores again.

The specialist examined her ear problem, found the cause of it, and put her on some specific medication. But still sent her to take an imaging test to further treatment of her health condition.