OpenHealth Q&A

M25 Experiencing Increased Episodes of Dizziness and Eye Movement Issues

Hello everyone! To set the stage, I want to clarify that I’ve been dealing with episodes of dizziness for as long as I can recall. The onset of these issues began when I was around 13 to 14 years old, though I can't pinpoint the exact cause. My experience is not the typical room-spinning type of vertigo; instead, it feels as though my body’s internal balance system is compromised, leading to varying levels of involuntary eye movements (nystagmus), which hampers my ability to stand, walk, or remain upright. Resting helps alleviate the symptoms—either by sleeping or by sitting quietly for extended periods. There are times when the nystagmus worsens to the point of causing nausea due to vigorous eye movements. The intensity of these symptoms can fluctuate from feeling mediocre to being completely bedridden. **Before I continue further:** It's worth mentioning that I have some hearing difficulties (with a cochlear implant in my right ear and a hearing aid in my left), and I also wear multi-focal glasses. As I got older, I sought the help of a chiropractor, which proved beneficial in managing my symptoms. On my initial visit, I experienced immediate relief, and since then, I have returned several times each year to help control flare-ups. This approach has worked well for me... until recently. Over the past month, however, I have noticed an **increase** in my symptoms. These flare-ups occur on days when my nystagmus intensifies to the point that I am unable to function normally. I would wake up, and throughout the day—at seemingly random moments—my nystagmus would manifest, escalating to the point of inducing vomiting. This distressing pattern has repeated **five to six times** within a **three-week** span. I suspect I may have uncovered a potential explanation for this escalation, but I can only speculate as I write this. I **recently** transitioned to a new job in the city that necessitates significantly more commuting, resulting in **earlier start times**. I’ve been waking up approximately an hour earlier, shifting from 8 AM to 7 AM. One may think that this change is manageable, but it appears that assumptions can be misleading. The timing of my symptoms almost perfectly aligns with this new work schedule. While I’ve always experienced dizziness, the sudden increase in severity is puzzling. Why am I now feeling worse, particularly during morning and afternoon hours? Compounding this, I have struggled with sleep quality due to a concurrent **heatwave**, leading to multiple awakenings each night—often three, four, or even five times. Additionally, I must emphasize that for the past **three consecutive years**, I have encountered a vertigo spike during the week of Christmas. For clarity, Christmas coincides with summer in Australia, where increasing temperatures typically worsen my sleep and are correlated with heightened vertigo episodes. I also tend to struggle during **sharp temperature fluctuations**—anything over a 10-degree Celsius shift often exacerbates my symptoms. I could genuinely feel my eyes twitching, with the muscles straining painfully at the back as I drifted into sleep deprivation. At work, I often found myself exhausted, squinting at monitors and feeling a strong desire to doze off at my desk. **Could simply altering my sleep schedule by an hour really disrupt my rest this much?** I did attempt to adjust my bedtime from 11 PM to 10 PM in an effort to mitigate these effects, but that didn’t seem to provide any significant relief. Despite consulting with general practitioners, my chiropractor, and even the emergency department at a well-known eye and ear hospital, I have yet to receive any definitive answers. However, I am scheduled to visit a vertigo clinic tomorrow for further evaluation, and I will also see a sleep specialist in a month’s time. **On a positive note,** I recently experienced some restorative sleep as the temperatures dropped, and I feel a bit better overall. My intuition suggests that I may be experiencing interruptions in my REM sleep or a disruption in my sleep cycles due to the earlier wake-up time. For instance, if I wake at 7 AM and feel quite unwell with mild nystagmus, but then go back to sleep until 9:30 AM, I often arise feeling refreshed—strange indeed! It feels as though that latter sleep period is more restorative than waking up at 7 AM. My family finds my sleep theory to be quite far-fetched, but I’m simply grasping for explanations. My recent quality of life has taken a noticeable dip; I find it difficult to maintain a consistent work schedule and engage in activities I once enjoyed. Fatigue looms constant, and I grapple with milder bouts of nystagmus throughout the day, always squinting. Regarding my vision and hearing, my glasses were confirmed to be in good condition during my last check-up, and my hearing devices also seemed to perform adequately at their recent evaluations. If anyone out there has suggestions, questions, or advice, I would be eager to hear it!

Answers (1)

3/17/2025, 8:21:19 AM

OpenHealth AI

Hello! I am the OpenHealth AI Assistant, and I'm here to help you navigate your health concerns.

Diagnosis:

From your detailed description, it seems you're experiencing episodes of dizziness and nystagmus, which could be linked to several factors including stress from the new job, changes in sleep patterns, and temperature fluctuations. Your history of hearing impairment may also play a role in your overall balance issues. The sudden increase in symptom severity is particularly noteworthy, and your theory regarding disrupted sleep cycles due to the new schedule is quite valid.

Evidence:

Dizziness and nystagmus can be symptoms of a vestibular disorder, which affects balance. Stress and poor sleep quality are known to exacerbate these conditions. Evidence suggests that inconsistent sleep patterns can lead to increased fatigue and dizziness, especially if you're not getting enough restorative sleep. Studies indicate that both vestibular disorders and sleep disturbances can influence one another, making it essential to manage them together.

Action Plan:

1. Consultation: You're already on track by seeing a vertigo clinic and a sleep specialist. These visits are crucial for getting a tailored diagnosis and treatment plan.
2. Stress Management: Incorporating relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga might help manage stress from the new job.
3. Sleep Hygiene: Continue to adjust your sleep routine. Aim for a consistent sleep schedule, and consider avoiding screens an hour before bedtime to improve sleep quality.
4. Keeping Cool: Since heat exacerbates your symptoms, utilizing a fan or air conditioning might help during heatwaves.
5. Monitor Symptoms: Keep a symptom diary that tracks your dizziness, nystagmus episodes, sleep patterns, and stress levels. This data can be helpful for your medical consultations.

Cost-Effective Treatment:

• Chiropractic Care: Since you've found relief through chiropractic adjustments, continuing this practice can be a cost-effective method for managing symptoms.
• Home Remedies: Staying hydrated, reducing caffeine and alcohol, and using low-cost relaxation apps or free online meditation resources can support overall well-being.
• Local Clinics: Look into community health clinics or low-cost sliding scale clinics for additional support. Many universities also offer health services at reduced costs.

When to Seek Medical Attention:

If your symptoms become more severe, lead to prolonged vomiting, or if you experience new symptoms like headaches or visual disturbances, seek immediate medical attention.

If this answer is not sufficient, please consult a medical professional for further guidance.