[18F] Experiencing dizziness, curtain vision, and tingling sensation

Patient Description

An 18-year-old female reports experiencing episodes of dizziness and curtain vision, accompanied by a tingling sensation across her entire head and in her feet, lasting about a minute. These episodes are described as mild but debilitating, impairing her ability to see or walk properly. The symptoms often occur when transitioning from a lit area to a darker one. Additionally, she experiences heart palpitations, which she can feel in her chest and ears, but notes no significant change with exercise. She also reports shortness of breath during these episodes but no chest pain. The patient has a history of asthma diagnosed a year ago and no known allergies or adverse reactions to medications. She denies the use of recreational drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products. There is a family history of unspecified cardiac or neurological conditions. The patient's symptoms are not influenced by time of day and tend to improve when she stands still or stops moving. She has been experiencing these vision changes for years, with no previous medical consultation for these specific symptoms.

Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, here are a few possibilities:

Migraine with aura: Migraines are a type of headache often accompanied by other symptoms such as visual disturbances (like your curtain vision), tingling, and dizziness. The aura refers to symptoms that occur before the headache, which can include visual changes and tingling.
- Treatment usually involves medications to relieve symptoms and prevent future migraines.
Panic disorder or anxiety: These conditions can cause symptoms like dizziness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and tingling. Stress or feeling overwhelmed can trigger these symptoms.
- Treatment often involves cognitive-behavioral therapy and sometimes medications.
Orthostatic hypotension: This condition involves a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up, which can cause dizziness and lightheadedness.
- Treatment usually involves lifestyle changes and sometimes medications.
Vestibular disorders: These conditions affect the inner ear and balance, causing symptoms like dizziness and problems with coordination.
- Treatment usually involves physical therapy and sometimes medications.

Please note that these are possibilities based on the information you've provided and not a definitive diagnosis.

What you can do

Keep a symptom diary: Write down when your symptoms occur, what you're doing at the time, and any potential triggers you notice. This can help you and your doctor identify patterns and triggers.
Stay hydrated and eat regular, balanced meals: This can help prevent orthostatic hypotension.
Practice stress management techniques: If your symptoms are related to anxiety or panic disorder, techniques like deep breathing, yoga, and mindfulness can help.
See a doctor: It's important to get a professional evaluation of your symptoms. A doctor can provide a definitive diagnosis and appropriate treatment.