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Neurology (Expert Forum)
PRESSURE IN HEAD
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PRESSURE IN HEAD
by greygoose1945, Jan 15, 2007 12:00AM
I was happy to finally read that someone else suffers with 'pressure in the head'. Everyone I talk to (friends, family, physicians), think I'm crazy. The pressure I encounter is so great that my hearing becomes muffled. It lasts for about 30+ seconds. I do not black out nor do I get headaches or feel dizzy. I am a 61 year old female. Only once my blood pressure register slightly high. I have an office position. I am 5'4" and weigh 176 lbs. I have had MRIs/CTs/Full body scans, you name it. Everything comes back normal. I get this feeling at least 3 to 4 times/day. This happens when I get up from a sitting position. However, when this happens I am not standing up quickly nor am I standing up from a chair position. I drive a Honda Van with the seat position as high as it will go so when I get out of the car I basically am almost in a standing position. My son was diagnosed several years ago with vasovagus reflex. What is that and could that possibly be my problem?
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-M.D.-SH, Feb 02, 2007 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
Vasovagal syncope is caused by an abnormal reflex that results in a drop in blood pressure and slowed heart rate, with decreased blood flow to the brain causing (dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting). After several seconds the system recovers with increased heart rate and vasoconstriction of the blood vessels. This abnormal reflex is mediated through the vagus nerve (supplies autonomic control of the heart) and occurs due to many stimuli including seeing blood, needles, emotional stress, injury etc. From the symptoms and story that you describe, I do not suspect your symptoms are due to an abnormal vasovagal reflex, but could be impacted general autonomic dysfunction causing blood pressure fluctuations with postural changes. The heart has baroreceptors (respond to pressure) that constantly control the vascular tone by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). If your ANS is not working properly, you could have dramatic shifts in your blood pressure that could theoretically could cause the 'head pressure' that you describe. I would suggest a tilt table test with autonomic testing to evaluate your ANS and its response to postural changes. The other possiblity would be a primary headache syndrome, you can associated features of headaches (such as headpressure) without the typical 'headache pain'. Starting a headache prophylaxis medication such as nadolol, elavil or topamax may help to decide if this is related to headache (it takes 2-3 weeks to work).
I hope this has been helpful.
Vasovagal syncope is caused by an abnormal reflex that results in a drop in blood pressure and slowed heart rate, with decreased blood flow to the brain causing (dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting). After several seconds the system recovers with increased heart rate and vasoconstriction of the blood vessels. This abnormal reflex is mediated through the vagus nerve (supplies autonomic control of the heart) and occurs due to many stimuli including seeing blood, needles, emotional stress, injury etc. From the symptoms and story that you describe, I do not suspect your symptoms are due to an abnormal vasovagal reflex, but could be impacted general autonomic dysfunction causing blood pressure fluctuations with postural changes. The heart has baroreceptors (respond to pressure) that constantly control the vascular tone by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). If your ANS is not working properly, you could have dramatic shifts in your blood pressure that could theoretically could cause the 'head pressure' that you describe. I would suggest a tilt table test with autonomic testing to evaluate your ANS and its response to postural changes. The other possiblity would be a primary headache syndrome, you can associated features of headaches (such as headpressure) without the typical 'headache pain'. Starting a headache prophylaxis medication such as nadolol, elavil or topamax may help to decide if this is related to headache (it takes 2-3 weeks to work).
I hope this has been helpful.
MY QUESTIONS ARE..
1. COULD THIS BE AN ANEURYSM?
2. CAN AN ANEURYSM GROW THAT FAST (IN 2 MONTHS)?
3. SHOULD I SEEK MEDICAL HELP RIGHT AWAY?
4. DO I NEED MORE ANTIBIOTICS?
5. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO FOR IT?
I GO TO THE ENT ON THE 30TH BUT THESE SOUNDS AND FEELINGS ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY AND WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS SOMETHING SERIOUS. YOUR HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!
THANK YOU!