buzzing/vibrating sensation in head

[Kubie]

I am a 54-year-old woman who gets a vibrating/buzzing sensation in my head(and feeling light headed) that only lasts for a few seconds.  This has been going on for years.  It used to happen maybe one a year but has happened several times in the last several months which troubles me.  My doctor had never encountered this and dismissed it as maybe a drop in blood pressure.  Any ideas?  

[Dr_Smita_S]

Hi

There are a lot of causes for dizziness such as inner ear diseases (about 50% of all dizziness), Central or Neurologic conditions(5%) , medical (5%) e.g. low blood pressure, psychological (15%) e.g. anxiety and panic disorder  and unknown causes (post traumatic etc)

Dizziness on lying or on change of posture on bed in elderly can be most likely due to inner ear problems. There is a condition called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) commonly causes dizziness in older people. The most common cause is degeneration of the vestibular system of the inner ear. However, in majority of the cases the cause remains unknown.

The symptoms include dizziness or vertigo, lightheadedness, imbalance and nausea. Symptoms are almost always precipitated by a change of position of the head with respect to gravity (in the direction of the affected ear). The vertigo is brief in duration — 5 seconds to 30 seconds.

The condition is usually self limiting. However, you should consult your physician who can make a definitive diagnosis based on your history, physical examination, and vestibular and auditory tests. The Dix-Hallpike maneuver is diagnostic for the condition.  The treatment of choice for this condition is the “Epley repositional maneuver.

You should consult a neurologist who can do an evaluation of your symptoms and order some investigations (CT/MRI, EEG etc) to find out the cause of your condition. Do write in if you need any other information. Regards.

Take care!

[lynxgal]

Hi Kubie,

I have had the same sx for almost 2 years.  When It first started I would have those quick episodes 50 or more times a day.  I have had all the inner ear tests done and the Caloric testing was severely reduced in both ears.  They preformed the rotating chair test but my results were normal.  My GP has tried the Hallpike maneuver many times and it does not help. They said it was not inner ear related in my case.  My ct mri were normal and my EEG was withing normal limits.  I still don't have any answers as to what is causing this.

I do have other sx that have crept up over the last year that led me to a dx of neuropathy but they have not told me if the  buzzing/vibration is related.  Hope u get some answers soon and if you do please let us know.