Re: family members

[Sherri Cave <caves@xxxxxxx>]

                                 RTK.NET Mail 136928   Mar 29 18:39:51 1996


Barb,

Dizziness or balance troubles can be caused by many things besides PD.
Stroke, a tumor, or a neurological disorder are possible causes, but there
are also some more benign possibilities such as an inner ear infection
which can sometimes be helped by antibiotics, decongestants, or drugs
like antivert.  Some people in my family have very sensitive inner ears
and get vertigo with colds, sinus infections, allergies, etc.  It is
important that he see a doctor to look for some of the serious possibilities
but also to see if it's a conditions that could be helped by fairly benign
medication.  Dizziness and/or balance trouble can lead to falls, some of
which could be serious.  It's important to try and treat the condition and
learn what cautions to take while he is having this trouble.

You mentioned that he had trouble while walking, but not while sitting.  Does
he have trouble all the time he is walking, or is it mainly a problem he
gets just after he stands up?  If it's the latter, it could be orthostatic
hypotension, a blood pressure drop when you change position that causes
dizziness.

Hope you can discover the problem and a solution or adaptation soon,

Sherri
caves@xxxxxxx